The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-10-19
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/ Atm1. see! ono IL Dreaming
The company. looked eagerly 1t
Essyllt's pale face. The silence be-
came absolute. everything was still,
save the silver sun.rays playing with
in that serious circle. Neither the
green trees. seen through the big win
dow behind father and daughter. nor
the golden fields, showed any emotion.
The intense mountain stiffness fell
upon all things without and within.
Then upon this mysterious hush
there broke the song of q woman.
The voice came from the outside, UNI
der the big windows, and its sadness
and IT'D sweetness searched the hearts
Of the nearer like the moan Of suE-
fering child. The song and the sun
shine came through the window to-
gether. and the sad notes Of the
melody mingled like shadows with
the bright sun-rays that played around
them.
The story told in the song belonged.
indeed, to the age Of the hills, the
story Of false love, betrayal and ven.
/ geance..
The people listened entranced; as II
listening to the voice of some noun.
tain fairy.
Then came a sudden breaking of
the spell:
"Trovana!"
The word~came in a.gasp Of terror
from the lips of the bridegroom. The
harsh sound seemed to bruise the
beautiful melody upon which It fell.
All eyes turned upon Grafog.
shes only beggar woman sing,
ing for coppers," said he, strangely.
Drive her away"
But no one moved to obey him.
Looking at him, they noted his agita-
ton.
"Trovana," he muttered, repeatedly.
During the song, Essyllt slowly re.
covered. The song caught her atten-
ton. She listened sintently. AS the
story unfolded itself. her eyes flashed
from the direction of the voice to the
face of her husband.
His agitation became painful. He
looked like wild animal entrapped.
But he strove to hide his emotion, and
glanced about him furtively to note
II he were watched.
'Trovana!" he cried in despair.
The song ended in a. sad cadence
The company broke into a clamor of
| delight. Their weakness for and ap.
probation Of good singing overbore
all other considerations.
Bring her in-bring her in," they
cried.
I'VE must hear her sing again."
But besides the delight they felt in
a good voice, they also felt merry at
observing Essyllt fully recovered.
And the reaction from grave to gay
made them irresponsible.
So some rushed out to bring in the
singer, while others prepared place
for her performance and fixed the
harpist in position, that they might
begin without delay.
Grafog rose in alarm to put stop
to these preparations; but the good
humor of the company out-ran his
wish.
"Come-come and sing to us
again!" they urged.
The woman's voice, sad and falter
ing, protested. The guests seemed to
pay no attention. They led her to
the doorway.
She appeared at the entrance to
the feasting- chamber.
She looked young and terrible.
Her black smooth hair covered her
ears, then was twisted into peculiar
roll at the back Of her head. Her face.
thin and white with suffering and
hunger, expressed the bitterness Of
the forsaken; and in her dark eyes
cleaned the patient hate Of those
who treasure up a wrong.
Her dress bespoke the worst Of
poverty-painful poverty. And at the
threshold, beholding the women in
side in their best robes she seemed
to draw back ashamed Of her rags.
But the men drew her in against
her will.
Grafog turned away, his face in
contortions of agony.
The others called to- him reproach.
fully.
"Grafog!-welcome your new guest
l-Trovana' is her name."
Unable to resist, he turned about
He and the singer stood face to face
A scream Of rage and hatred came
from Trovana. Her thin hands closed
and trembled feverishly. Her eyes
flashed on the staring people. with
out-stretched hands she cried frantic.
ally:
"You see my piteous state my
distress? Here, is the cause!-this
man-to whose wedding with an.
other I come an unbidden guest. I
have wandered night and day upon
the hills seeking him and at last I
have found what sought ct his
wedding feast!"
81 The relentless hate in her worda
struck terror into the peoples hearts.
Grafog. with : cry Of fear, turned
from her. 40 Il with q hopeless desire
to hide from Trovana's burning eyes.
Wildly screaming she leaped toward
lf.p4 $500