United States or Finland ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He gave one of the Bibles to my wife here, and she has been reading it pretty eagerly ever since." "What! this, then, is your wife?" I exclaimed. "Yes, Marika is my wife, and Ivanka is my daughter," replied Petroff, with a tender glance at the little girl that trotted by his side.
Dobri said he supposed you would think he was dead, but he isn't, and I can assure you looks as if he didn't mean to die for some time to come. They are both very low, however, about the loss of their children, though they still cling fondly to the belief that their little girl Ivanka has not been killed."
While the old man was telling the mournful tale I observed a little girl run out from behind a seat where she had probably been secreting herself, and gaze wildly at me. Blood-stained, dishevelled, haggard though she was, I instantly recognised the pretty little face. "Ivanka!" I exclaimed, holding out my arms. With a scream of delight she rushed forward and sprang into them.
I am dead beat, Lancey, for want of rest, and really feel unable for anything. If only I can snatch an hour or two, that will suffice. Meanwhile, you will go to the nearest station and find out if the railway has been destroyed." We hurried out of the dreadful slaughter-house, Ivanka still sound asleep on my shoulder, and soon discovered an outhouse in which was a little straw.
As nothing further could be done, I resolved to adopt Ivanka, and take her away with me. My preparations were soon made, a conveyance was obtained, and before many days were over I found myself flying by road and rail far from the land where war still raged, where the fair face of nature had been so terribly disfigured by human wrath so fearfully oppressed with human woe.
But long before these things 'appened, w'en 'e found that you was my master an' Ivanka our friend, 'e sent us to the rear with a strong guard, an' 'ere we are now in one of 'is willas, in what part o' the land is more than I can tell near Gallipopolly, or somethink like that, I believe." "So, then, we are prisoners?" said I.
"It may be so," said the Pasha, with a sigh. "Meanwhile, to return to our point, you will find everything ready for your journey at an early hour to-morrow." "But what of little Ivanka Petroff?" I asked. "She must go with us." The Pasha seemed a little perplexed. "I had not thought of that," he said; "she will be well-cared for here." "I cannot go without her," said I firmly.
My heart was knit to little Ivanka on the spot, and it was plain that little Dob and Lancey were mutually attracted. I remained at that village several days longer than I had intended, in order to cultivate the acquaintance of the blacksmith's family. During that time I saw a good deal of the other villagers, and found that Petroff was by no means a typical specimen.
We must not be too ready to believe the worst. If I had not believed you and them to have been all murdered together, I would not have sought death so recklessly. I will not give up hope in that God who has brought you back, and saved me from death. I think that darling Ivanka is still alive."
The blacksmith's anvil was ringing as merrily as ever when we approached, and his blows appeared to fall as heavily as in days gone by, but I noticed, when he looked up, that his countenance was lined and very sad, while his raven locks were prematurely tinged with grey. Shall I describe the meeting of Ivanka with her parents? I think not.
Word Of The Day