Evening star., 1937-10-17
Moeozins Section

and see what was the matter. Her heart swelled
to bursting with fury against her helplessness.
The sounds receded into distance, died away
in the sun-drowned silence of endless afternoon.
Markobi came to her in the sunset and
brought her coffee and sweet cakes. He lifted
her clumsIy into her chair and wheeled her on
to the balcony. His brows we're knit and his
swarthy face held the menace of thunder. His
trembling old mother dared not speak to him.
Where was Tasl? She longed to ask. Please, Holy
Mother, keep Tasl safe
Yomi and his father sat at their customary
places for supper. They had been riding far
afield that day looking at the rose crops, and
sampling the altar in the village distileries. It
was rumored that they might bid for all the sea-
sons rose oil of Kiron, and there would be pros
perity in the valley all through the winter.
There were other travellers too. The inn was
very full, but Tasl did not appear. Markobi.
more smly than ever, waited personally on his
guests. He informed his usual customers that
his daughter had gone away on visit to rela-
tives for few days.
low whistle attracted Jannas attention to
the dark end of her balcony. Yomi was standing
there in the shadow beckoning to her. She
wheeled her chair to where he stood. Where is
she? You have hidden her. Where is she?"
pleaded the boy.
II don't know" Janna answered truthfully,
looking round in fear lest Markobi should see
them speaking.
Then you must give her message for me.
My father will settle the account and we will
depart tomorrow that Markobi will set Tasl
free. Tomorrow night will wait for her at the
foot of the pass where the spring falls into the
drinking pool. Tell her will wait for her all
night
Markobi came out of the inn carrying wine
and glasses. GO away. Yomi," said the old
anfearfully. Yes, Iwilltellher Conway"
Thank you, old one" breathed the boy,
his lips against the gnarled brown hand he had
caught between the wooden bars of the balcony
Like shadow he was gone.
Janna clasped the hand which the boy had
kissed for long time. But she would not tell
Tasl no, she would not tell. He would 20
home and the girl would forget. In time Lad
of the village would bring her laughter back,
and old age would not look so lonely, so forlorn
"a desolate journey through the last pass.
Tasl slreappeared next day, haggard and dirty.
Wherever have you been, child?" cried Janna
aghast at her condition - Tasl who ever con-
trived to look as fresh as an April morning. The
girl was too hurt to weep. Her curved young
mouth trembled - but her pride was great.
HE shut me in the witch-woman's house.
and gave me naught but old bread and jug of
water. He is afraid will run away with Yomi
Davidovitch He says no hired woman would
ever look after YOU must stay here till you
die"
The witch-womans house! It was an aban-
doned hovel down in the bean field among the
water channels. Since the queer old hag had
died no one had ever lived there. The peasants
we're superstitious too afraid even to pass that
way after nightfall 1t was far from the road
and no horseman or oxherd would pass near
enough to hear cry. Tasl continued: "It's
been used lately to shut hooligans in for the
night, and there is heavy wooden bar outside
the door that lies in iron sockets. No one could
force it open. There is no window! was not
frightened!
Her voice shook, and it was clear to Janna
that she had been very much frightened indeed.
That was cruel of him, Tasl!' Her emotions
we're half relief now that Tasl could not go, and
half anger that the truth about the girls sa1i-
flee should be put thus crudely into words
CAS- If I n0nd 90" said Tasl WALKING tn the