The daily worker., 1924-11-22

here is Kombrig 1vanov himself, with
his chief aide. The old scoundrel's
face fell as the two soldiers entered.
An officer, yes, but he had hoped for
a different kind Not so with the girl.
After all, he was an officer. and
handsome one at that. A brigadieri
Perhaps.
It is easy to listen to soldier. He
talks so well. Especially to an aD-
preciative audience. What wonders
could Kombrig Ivanov relate to the
open-mouthed Olympiade. Marksman,
orator, hero. And here was gold
watch to prove it, the general himself
had come out to present this gift of
the Moscow Soviet So after all, she
was to get her oficer, and he was a
brigadier.
Ask not what wiles woman can
WELD for a mans fancy The maiden
was interested and therefore, interest
ing. She listened to his stories She
even read what he read, tho it be
"The A. B. c. of Communism" She
found it much more interesting than
'Klyuchy Schastya"-especially when
his arms were around her to help hold
the book.
Days speed past like hours, nights
like minutes. There came the day
when her head was pillowed on his
chest, her star-bright eyes looking up
into his, and she gave him the answer
he desired. But, alas, this was not
the ond of trouble; it was but the be-
ginning. Enthusiastically she outlined
her plans for high church wedding
in all its splendor, veenjetz on head
and svetchka in hand as they made
their vows before the bejewelled
priest. But this did not suit Kombrig
He was Bolshevik, and the civil re-
gistration of marriage required by
Soviet law was enough ceremony for
him. In vain did he quote authority
after authority out Of the very books
they had read together. She hurled
them at his head, even Bucharin,
Plechanov, Karl Marx, in hard bind
ings. Their dream was done.
But youth will be served. Day and
night he thought of the fair Olympi-
ade. Day and night the maid dreamed
of her Kombrig. If he went to her
it would be surrender. If she went to
him, the same. 1t could not be. Yet
they must meet. Kombrig soon found
way. An announcement that the di-
vision of land would be stayed if any
former owner could give good rea-
son why he should be permitted to
retain it.
Everybody came to that meeting
Poor and rich. Young and old. Ku-
lax was there. Also, despite paren
tai commands, was his daughter
Kombrig was in his glory. His logic
was unanswerable, his eloquence most
inspiring. The girl drank in his words
with her whole being. When he fin
ished the chairman asked for oppon-
ents. Very unwililngly, certain defeat
facing him, old Kulak allowed him
self to be pushed to the platform by
his small clique. But he could only
stammer and stutter meaningless
phrases about the holy czar and the
good old times" The heart of the
youth was with Kombrig, and the
heart of the girl also. She waited for
him after the meeting and told him
so by the banks of the moonlit river.
Yet the last obstacle was not yet
removed. Her parents would surely
object. Well, let them. They would
be told, not asked.
1t was harder than they anticipated.
The old father was especially set on
n church wedding. "No civil cere-
mony will hold your fine Kombrig
away from other women" he ragged.
"So?," answered the girl, "And has
the high-church wedding held you?
Why not tell mother Just where you