, 1907-03-28
must spend her life with . man she


No, no. quickly said the mother
from the floor and held her in her
arms. See! she is breathing"
h company looked eagerly at
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, seer 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 a woman
The voice came from the outside, I'M
der the big windows. and its sadness
and its sweetness searched the hearts
of the hearer like the moan of a sui
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. he
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 q 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 1t fell.
All eyes turned upon Grafog.
She's only a 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 long caught her atten-
ton. She listened intently. 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 a wild animal %entrapped.
But he strove to hide his emotion, AID
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 a place
for her performance and fixed the
harpist in position, that they might
begin without delay.
Grafog rose in alarm to put a 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 a 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 hsr in against
her will.
Grafog turned away. his face In
contortions of agony
The others called to him reproach-
fully.
Neutrality-suspicious. your new guest
-'Trovana' is her name"
Unable to resist, he turned about.
He and the singer stood face t. face
A scream Of rage and hatred came
from Trovana. Her thin hands closed
and tremblsd feverishly. Her eyes
flashed OIL the staring people. With
out-stretched hands she crSsd frantic
ally: