The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-03-30

al COSMA RACOARE. A RUMANIAN W00ING IS
s BY Michael SadOveanr. Translated by Louise Warng M


than alive. All that night he tosses
and moans: Wretch that l am! All.
woe, all. woe is me! Such a woman,
Such eyes! God have mercy on me-"
He calls Vasili. "Vasili, my faithful
one, / have come back covered with
shame and disgrace. Nasili. I'll give
thee three ducats If thou'lt counsel
me once more"
Yea, master l know it all. 4 SUI
perb creature. the Sultana; but l also
know that my second counsel will be
worth five--siX ducats."
Speak, Vasili, speak"
when my master wins the Sultana,
he shall want TO give old Nasili six
times-yea, twenty times as many
ducats. l will bring Cosma Racoare;
he will DO your work" At the name
of "Cosma Racoare" Nicola starts. BE
it So" he mutterS.
On the third day after the interview,
Cessna appeared. He was clad in n
a Russian cap well drawn over his
closelitting fustian, heavy boots, and
head. His rife slung across his back
and leading his horse, he leisurely and
sullenly approached Nicola. who sat
under the linden, smoking his pipe.
Nasili whispered into Nicolas ear:
Look at him. master; that fellow
will fetch you the Devil himself
Nicola stares at Cosma: then the lat
ter says: God be with you"
AS if waking from a dream, Nicola
answers: The same with thee"
Thou knowest what | ask of thee;
well, then, what is thy price? VIII
fifty ducats satisfy thee:"
Yes" answers Cosma.
"Vasili, go fetch my money pouch"
mo, not yet; when | shall have ac-
compished my task you can pay me.
| bring you the woman, you pay me
the money"
So saying, Cosma walked into the
garden, wrapped his cloak about him
and threw himself on the grass.
He seems the right man for my
work; weight is lifted off my heart"
murmurs Nicola.
AS night drew near Cosma tightened
his stirrups and mounted his horse.
Await my return in the meadow
MASTER" and away he few like an ar
row.
The full moon flickered through the
fog, enveloping hills and forest in a
gossamer shroud. Only the clatter Of
the horses feet broke the dead si-
lence. On reaching Grasini. he found
= +l,.N, 30 t., o., 4
knockings, a voice from within cried:
Who is there"
Then, impatient at the delay, he calls
out: "It is /, Cosma Racoare."
A light is seen fitting by, then the
sound Of voices, and at last the bolts
are withdrawn. He finds the house
door open. "A woman without fear"
he mutters. His steps resound through
the long dark corridor. \ door is
thrown open. and there on its
threshold stands Sultana, radiant as
before, clad in white. and flowing hair,
her hand clutching the scimitar.
"Who art thou? What scekest thou
hereE" she cried.
Il came to carry you Off. and take
you to Nicola ZamfriGe," answered
Cosma.
$50 this is thy eTand"' she said
scornfully. Beware that tie fate OF
Nicola DO not befall thee"
Cosma draws nearer. gives a slight
twist TO her wrist, and the weapon
falls TO the ground. She shrnks back
in dismay. and calls out: Gabriel.
Nicolai, Foaeder, help" They came
no further than the entrance. Cosma
lays hold of her arm, but she frees
herself and snatches a dagger from a
table.
what are We gaping at. ye COW.
ards? Advance and bind him"
"YOu are wasting words. fair lady.
admire your courage, but it avails
you naught"
Then the servants were heard 10
whisper terror-sfricken:
How may we bind him? II is
Cosma Racoare. the inv.nclble."
"Ye wretches," she shrieks. and I'm
her fury attacks Cosma. He catches
her in his arms. takes both hands and
pinions them with n leather strap.
Make room" he cries, and all step
back. Quietly. be lead her out: the
while muttering TO himself: what a
superb creature! Such eyes! Such
prde Nicola has chosen well"
Sultana glares at her terrified vas
sails. and realizes her captivity: she
meets the dark gaze OF her captor.
"Who are your she asks.
II ain Cosma Racoare."
she sees fear depicted on the faces OF
her people. Now she understands all.
Cosma mounts his horse and places
Sultana in front OF him. Away they
speed. To Cosma II seemed as II they
were flying through infinite space on n
phantom horse. Now and then lie