The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
LADIES' DAY IN CARBURY MINE

Why, said mafSte eooi9i did So1 want to?"
 szirdelis was silent tension. a sub tie excitement began to possess him; that embodied voice from the dark had power of stirring dreams.
 Maybe she was fooling you What did she say that you thought so much of?'
 Maybe she was foolng; yes, that is possible. But just the same. she is t1e one that makes me want to follow her. The one l cannot forget. she-she said nothing so much l would have said plenty, if had had more time
 Do ycu think she was willing to lis ten?"
 "Llsten? I would make her listen. Once in a great while l make up my mind to s thing, and something tightens In my arms and in my shouder-snapl-and then I get my own way. Always!
 What sort of things would you say2'
 If you were that girl would tell you You see. it was a gray night, clouds ana moon behind them so that there was no real light. It was warm, too. The pie ric was in field. The kegs stood every where some people were very drunk. Be- side the field were two great trees, an oak and a willow, and the shade was always black between. She was afraid to pass where the two trees met"
 An oak and two willows. Everyoody knows that place.
 Possibly two willows. There was a great white stone, round on top
 "Flat, 1t wasr'
 "So. You are the sonei-1s Jonas your 5aunixis?'
 q have no jaunilIis.
 "Ah, if I believed it! Well, tell me, what do I call you for beginningY
 ''Maryte''
 'Maryte You do not know me, though
 Big Mikol. they call you. And you live up on the hill, the men say. Your second name is Szirdelis."
 ''Dld the men say I was looking for you?"
 Not at all No one noticed it, I am sure"
 'As for the things I was to say to you. Here is one: l."
 'If they come for us. Mikol, how can they see? They cannot have lamps, can they, because of the gas?"
 Some different lamps, of wire, and locked with a key: safe lamps they call them. I do not drink much. l could make you a good husband, Maryte'
 "That may be. Only l am not looking for a man."
 q was not looking for wife, either. Then all at once you came by. Some thing seemed to fasten behind my eyes, and I wanted nothing but to follow you l was like a fish on a hook.'
 'IIow upsetting Were you vexed?'
 Big Mikol laughed.
 "There is a bail a week from tonight. Come with me and maybe you will see 1t working. By that time I shall be out of the hospital"
 "out of the hospital?' the girl echoed You mean-you are hurt?"
 "Oh, a burn on my neck; nothing much. And the hospital is not bad place. Antan, my brother. was hurt once, and he went there; those doctors are good fellows. They will mend me again nice ly. Also I learn English fast over there, because they cannot talk my language to me-
 q am sorry, I am sorry"
 A hand rested lightly his shoulder. It trembled. Soft comfort was In the touch, so that big Mikol, pressing it closer, trembed too.
 But your hand-all wrapped in clothl What Is the matter?"
 Just nothing But you have not an- swered about the ball.
 Was that when you kept the fire from my hair? You burned your hand that time?"
 Possibly. I was astonished so that l could hardly notice what happened. Are you going to the ball with Malukas?'
 Not Malukas. I go with"
 Who? Not unless he can lick me, you don't"
 Maryte laughed.
 With you. Mikol. I was joking. Why are you men so fond of fighting?"
 Who said they were? As for me, l am all peace. I am glad you will go with me. I wiss you all the time, Maryte."
 You sh ould not do it, though" remonstrated the girl. That is a word of politeness and it is only to be said, not done.'
 Doing is much better than saying. No, don't fight me; put your head down and be quiet. Take care; you will scratch my sore handr' Good for you hate kisses" averred Maryte.
 You can learn. You would have to learn, anyway, before you are married with me, for 1t is my way to MSS everybody a great deal" q don't believe it. Else why-that night by the willow trees" "I am sure I do not know. Probably 1 forgot; l am never bashful.r q should not say so, indeedr' Every good It was q bad beginning made but today is left, and tomorrow" The words touched q strain of mean- ohoy. the underlying fatausm bred in peasant generations. Tha girl sighed. God decrees, Mikol This is T danger  DO not worry, I knjU those men. Antaa. m.y own brothe,, oatside and 70 are Tauy others, and thcr will set us. When wlil they coms2'' Soon, ] expect. Tn V have counted by now asa found who is gone. even F Ma. ,iias eou not tel. lh.ai about you. They will be here in hl boar. mayue Tn D n;:nrtes."
 "l aiu ti ed, tired. Waiting IS harder fer me he 'ai.sc I am not used to tie F ines" Lean upcn me, then. l am tough like i thick tree; you need not be afraid. After a silence the girl caught her breath in q quick sob.
 Talk. am lonely. Yes Tell me where did you live when you were q child?" A little place. Two days from Vilna And you?" Tn Kovno province, very far from any where. When 1 was a little chap my father had dog, very fine fellow. But he sold him. He sold hun with the sheep l could not sleep for nights afterward, wanting that dog back again. I was Just boy, and I loved him. and he thought | was God" Peasant to peasant spoke with the sure appeal of barren childhood. Maryte clung to him, yearning to give comfort. ''I know. It was like my lamb. My winter lamb. An, poor Mikol When we h''-o house you shall get a dog-you shall get 1t the first thing of all, and tee. ,....e cure of It for you, and it will grow and be yours like that first one."
 Story followed upon story, one village is much lilee another. but every life nas its little tricks of fortune. How your heart pounds when you tell