The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-17
THE GREEK SHEPHERD.
BY ExEI. TEGNIER

- (Copyright, 1905. Daily Story Pub. Co.) ssWeil, since you wish the story, here 1t is," said Nico, the tall. gaunt shepherd. to the company seated, as IS the custom of Thrace, round the well In the courtyard of the inn. the moon light gleaming through the Drancnes of the garden trees beyond, and candle placed on table in the middle of the yard lighting up their vicinity. "I loved a young girl. May my blood run like the wine we are drinking 1T did not love her with all my heart! You, Master Nicolo," addressing the landlord of the inn, you recollect my father left me a flock and two bits of ground, just large enough to feed my sheen on. It was by the sweat of my brow planted the little garden down there, with it's green fig treesi work kd like a dog, and did so we'll, that In time had men to work under me Yet ! had but one idea, 1t was to build that little house in the middle of the gar Zen, so that Rousse and my mother might live there with me-
 This Rousse! Detestable wench, get who has ever seen her--her black eyes, rounded cheeks. her embroidered jacket. her pretty pipe. sequins of sil- yer on her bosom, her long braids rolled in a white 'kerchief. and her slippers with red tasselsi Who has ever seen her without standing before her as the kings of old times stood before the beautiful shepherdessesf How hand some she wasi Every one was in love with herl She went'to all the gather ings. There was never a feast day, never a rejoicing but Rousse was there. And it looked like it was I on-. 1y she loved"
 Nico took a dried leaf of tobacco. He : crushed 1t in his hand. rolled a cigar cite and began again.
 xzrAr al haf al and on my faith, her old father did not seem to say Nol' To speak frank Iy. could he have found any one better for his daughter in our poor country side here7 Nearly all of us work for our living. And so the good man saw no further for his daughter. Pouf!
 Well, last spring went away with nearly two hundred sheep, there was a demand for them, and there was no de- lay in ceiling them. Yet all the time I dreamed of misfortune, and my heart was heavy. iron weighed on 1t. When I started to return. I believe I prom tsed candles to all the saints, aye to the devil also. just to get back to hel the quicker; the way was so long tc mel arrived late, at the first candle time. They were eating their supper A lamp hanging from the rafter of tn, hut lit the table. Next to Rousse'i father was a head shepherd. This ii what they told me about him. He wal passing through the country and he father. knowing this had offered tt put him up for a few days. He wa. sitting there with his legs crossed un der his white cloak. his chin in tn, air, his velvet bonnet cooked on hIl head.
 when I saw him scorpions stunl
 May you be happyl said to then all in greeting. Some of them rose tt welcome me, others gave me thei hand. but all with empty gestures This seemed to tell me. if had stil been away on my journey. they woult not have bothered about me. locke, at Rousse. She was sitting opposit the shepherd, and she lowered he eyes when she saw me gazing at her An. at that instant, the sea was oi fire. and the fishes all roastingl
 At that instant, too, a monster bel seemed to be changing in my head, m. brain was overwhelmed. my heart wa beating like an anvil. Was I dream ins7 Was awake? I went straigh fo Rousse and asked her what she wa doing, what was the matter with hei was she well enough? In truth, knew not what I was saying.
 T? am very well. I have no been ill." she replied, with a bored aii
 "Then no doubt was left in my minC
 sI broke out, my hand went to m belt, l drew my pistol, and aimed at the fellow. It missed fire. Every thing seemed black before me. The all rushed on me. and took away m pistol, and dragging me to a wei threw water on my head-as If I wa drunk.
 T snarled like a wolf. Leave m alonel Leave me alone! They the left me, but going away slowly, an keeping a wide-awake eye on me. Tn night was cold. The strong mountai air began to refresh me. and l wen h0meward. I seated myself on tn boundary stone where so often she an had sat side by side. A thousand in cidents in our mutual intercourse cam back to 'me. And now this dog of
 stranger had taken her from my arm
 -LittIe by little I became calm, col Iected. By the light of the stars on could see her fathers sheepfold a
 ainly as in the day time, and hear
 ir joyous songs. there. My mad
 is returned, and a voice within call
 me to fall upon them in thei
 sh. Yet held myself back. onl
 ed into the darkness. just as mad
 an, Rousse. Rousse.
 "Ah, well, met her some days late
 shen she was washing by the rive