The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23

~ corn" said the young girls
mother.
1t was after sunset, and the peas
ants had all returned to their homes
In the neighboring village. The even
ing was beautiful, and the eastern sky.
lit up by delicate clouds shading from
the palest pink to violet, made an eX-
quisite picture.
'Dear mother, sleep here replied
Sultana, in an awed whisper, 1--WE
know the corn must be guarded, and
that the Tziganes (Bohemians) arc
rapacious and daring, but every one
in the village says that yonder place
is haunted My brothers need have no
fear. for the spirits of the dead only
show themselves to young girls when,
when"
when they are pretty" quickly
put in her mother. Have you ever
been curious enough to look at your
self in the fountain, or the well? If
so, you may have seen frowning at
you a very brown small face. You
are always frowning, Sultana, and no
spirits will show themselves to you.
You are not pretty enough"
Yet Constantin told me-
"Constantin is in love with you, and
covets the house and cattle; he has
every reason to declare you are pref
ty." muttered the old woman between
her teeth.
well. goodnight, child, have no
time to spare. You must be tired, so
lie down on the straw and rest In
half an hour the moon will rise and
keep you company" With these words
Sultana's mother lifted bundle of
straw which had fallen from the last
wagon. pushed it towards the girl and
then took the path that led to the VIII
lage
AS her footsteps died away Sultana
looked round for her brothers, and
not seeing them, she walked a little
way, finally finding them fast asleep
near hedge. Something like pity for
her toiling race moved her heart but
peasant girls rarely stop to analyze
their feelings. and prefer dreams to
the reality of thought.
The vast plain stretched around her
like silver sea in the twilight, ant
the cleaning village lights on the hill
seemed to be the only sentinels tC
whose care this vast stretch of lant
was confided. The ruins of an old cas-
tie rose at the foot OF the hill, ant
towards this place Sultana wound hel
way, wondering to herself II 1t were
really haunted; and If 1T were reall,
possible that the legends she had 81
often heard were true.
How unlikely" she muttered to her.
self. as she pushed back the yellow
let the night air fan her curly blacl
hair, and caress her small. delicat,
face. AS She stood there, gazing a
what had perhaps In ages past beer
house of revelry and grandeur. TIL
moon rose. Sultana remembered
story she had heard In her childhood
that the moon burned to ashes all TIL
young girls she met on the plain whel
she first rose. Thinking of this, sh
slowly returned to her bed of straw
laid herself down and was soon ASLEEP
All at once she awoke bewildere,
and troubled, and saw standing fe,
PAGES from her the shadowy form o
woman, who seemed to be beckonin
her towards the ruins. AT the same mo
Tent she became aware that soft. in
visible music was playing around hel
She rose quickly and, running to tn
ruins, found to her great surprise
door she had never noticed befor,
Opening 1t, she discovered some step
which led into what had been in age
past an immense banquetlng hall "A
long table gorgeously decorated wit
silver candelabra and laden with eS
quisite fruit and flowers sat about
hundred lords and ladies'. That rh
was bridal party Sultana understoo
at once. 1t also struck her that sll
was invisible TO all the company. wit
the exception of a handsome you'll
who wore white satin costume and
long. dark green. velvet cloak.
Never in her widest imagination ha
Sultana seen n face so distinguishe
and handsome as this youths, WI
seemed to watch her with implorin
eyes, beautiful woman sat opposi,
her. Her rich dress was also whit
and glistening with diamonds. Throw
over the back of her chair was
green mantle, similar to that wol
by the youth The music had stoppe
on her entering the hall and dee
silence ensued. Sntana's eyes follow
ed the young mans movements, ar
with pang of disappointment ar
jealousy she discovered that he W.
the bridegroom and the lady opposi
his bride. Yet he took no notice
her, and his gaze was fixed on Sultar
With a look full of love and reverenc
Sultana trembled with expectation ar
excitement. Would he not speak TO IL