The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-11

"See what you've done with the girl.
You've dislocated her arm" said the old
woman, showing him the little girl's arm,
which was dangling. while she screamed
increasingly.
Korney turned around and silently went
out through the lobby into the porch.
Out Of doors It was still frosty and dull.
Bits Of hoarfrost fell on his burning cheeks
and forehead. He sat down on the steps
and swallowed handfuls Of snow, gathering
II from the ground,
Behind the doors Martha could be heard
groaning and the little girl crying pite-
ously. Then the door into the lobby opened
and he heard his mother coming out OF the
bedroom with the little girl and, crossing
the lobby, enter the living room. He got up
and went into the bedroom. The turned
down lamp was burning dimly on the table.
From behind the partition came Martha'e
groans, which increased as soon as he en-
tered. He silently put on his clothes, got
his trunk from beneath the bench, packed
bis things in 1t and bound IL with g rope.
For what have you killed me? For what?
What harm have I done your wailed Martha
piteously.
Without answering Honey lifted the
trunk and carried 1t toward the door.
you convict, you brigand! Wait a bit!
Or do you think there's no law for you?
che cried spitefuliy in quite another voice.
Without answering Korney pushed open
the door with his foot and banged 1t after
him with such force that the walls shook.
Entering the common room, korney
woke the dumb lad and told him to harness
the horse. The lad, not thoroughly ava
kened, glanced at his uncle with an aston
ished inquiring expression, scratching his
head with both hands.
Having at last understood what was re-
quired OF him, he jumped up, put on his
felt boots and torn coat. o the lantern
and vent out into the yard. 1t was already
daylight when Korney, with the dumb lad in
his little sleigh, drove out OF the gates and
drove back along the same road by which
yesterday he had arrived with Kousma.>
He arrived at the station FIVE minutes
before the departure II the train. The
lad saw him a his ticket, lift his trunk
and seat himself in a coach and nod to him
as the train rolled out OF sight.
Martha, besides the bruises on her face,
had two ribs broken and her head tract
ured, but the strong, healthy young woman
got over her injuries in half a year 80 that
no traces remained OF the beating. But the
girl, however, remained forever partly Grip
pied, Her arm was broken in two places
and remained disjointed.
As for Korney, after he left, no one knew
anything about him, nor was 1t known
whether he was alive or dead.
II.
Seventeen years passed away. It was a
dull autumn day. The sun had sunk low
and a. 4 o'clock in tho afternoon it was
| already dark. The herd OF the village Of
Andreyevo was returning home. The
shepherd having served his term had left
| and the cattle we're being driven by women
! and hds in turn.
The herd had just come out OF the stubble
field into the road OF dirty black earth,
| with split hoof marks and cut up with
rute, and with unceasing mooing and baa-
ing we're approaching the village. Along
The road in front Of the herd walked a tall
old man in a patched and weather stained
coat and a big cap and with a leather bag
on his bent back. He had q gray beard
and curly gray hair; only his thick eyebrows
were still black.
He advanced heavily dra seing his vet
and vornout coarse little Russian boots
through the dirt, and at every other step
be leaned upon his oaken staff. When the
herd caught up with him he stopped and
! leaned Upon his staff.
The young woman driving the herd, her
head covered with a piece OF sackcloth,
her skirt tucked up and wearing mems
| boots, was darting with quick steps from
one side Of the road to the other urging
along the sheep and pigs that dawdled
behind. Having reached the old man
she stopped and looked at him.
Good day, grandfather she eaid in a
young, clear, kind voice. W
Good day, my good woman aid the
old man.
We'll, are you going to pass the night
here?'
1T seems 80. I am tired said the old
man hoareely.
Don't you go TO the +Deseyatski, grand
father" said the young woman kindly.
Go straight to our house, the third from
this End. My mot her-in-law takes in
pilgrims
THE third hut. That means Z~inovyef's,'
said the old man, moving bis black brows
in a peculiar way.
so you know itf'
Il have been there
a Lie VI iOcAhl6 oA'S SNy SeS
| That lame one has quite got behind, called
out the young woman, pointing to a three
legged sheep limping behind the herd;
and waving a 'twig with her right hand
and awkwardly from underneath catching
I'D the sackcloth on her head with her
crippled left arm she ran back after the
slow, anne black sheep.
Tho old man was Korney and the young
woman was the came Agashka whose arm
he had broken seventeen years before.
She had besn married into a rich family
OF the village Of Andreyefka, four versts
from Gaya.
Korney vassilief, from a strong, rich
proud man, had become what he now was
an old, feeble beggar possessing nothing
save the worn clothes on his back, q soldiers
discharge and two shirts in his bag. This
| Transformation had taken place so grad
ually that he could not have said when it
began nor when it finished.
Ono thing he knew and was firmly con-
| vinoed of-that the cause Of all his misfortune
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