The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-03-17
THE DAY BOOK.
SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH II.
THEGIPsY DAUGHTER.
BY sYLvANUs COBB, JR.


and in the midst Of which was pitched
Gypsy campl sat two beautiful girls,
mambers of the vagrant tribe which had
long infested that region. =,
One of these forest beauties was tall
and queenly, and of light, talry-iike
form, with deep blue eyes and penslve
cast of countenaDce, shaded by an
abundance of bright sunny-brown hair.
Her name was ELECTRA, and she was the
daughter of GoNDEBALD, the Gypsy
King 8 chief captain
Her companion was LEDA, the daugh-
ter of MouAMMED, the Gypsy King him
self. She was shorter in stature than
Electra: her form was more full, her face
plump and dimpled; her eyes ota dark
hazel, and her hair darkest brown. Both
the Gypsy girls were beautiful beyond
description, as the daughters OF that
strange race are apt to be, and on the
present occasion, both We're sad-unnsn-
ally sad.
Electra loved a young man OF the tribe,
named FABIAN, as handsome gallant,
aud with as true heart, AS ever the sun
shone upon; and Leda WAS her conf
dante, and sympatbaed with her in
everything. And they had that very
murning--it was now toward the close OF
the warm summer-day-learned Of a
plot Matched by Mohammed and Condo
laid, which would not only prevent the
union of Electra and Fabian, but also
plunge both the maidens into unspeaka-
bic and lifelong wretchedness.
The plot was that Mohammed should
give his daughter Leda ia marriage to
Gondebald; and Gondebald in return was
to give his daughter Electra in marriage
to Mohammed. The announcement of
this plan had filled the hearts of the two
girls with indignation and misery; and
they had Withdrawn to their secluded
nook to consult together, and if possible,
comfort each ether. But no hope of COM
fort could they cherish. The power Of
their fathers was absolute; and so, all
they could resolve upon was TO DIE,
sooL er than submit to such revolving
union.
just as they had come to this conclu
sion, they heard footsteps in the forest,
and soon, Fabian came in view; where
upon Leda hastily quilted the spot, that
HE lovers might commune alone. rho
meeting was "a sad one, for Fabian had
also heard the news. OLD DIoNE, the
s5nrceless of t be tribe had told it to him;
and she had also limited that neither he
nor Electra was of Gypsy parentage,-
that Il strange mystery was connected
with them both which she might at some
time unfold. She had also warned Fabian
to look out for his safety. "Wol0es are
abroad, my SOM" she said: "and they
thirst for The blood Of one WHOM. THEY
FEARl Look aceN to hyselt, andto E1ec-
AaF'
The lovers were filled with dismay.-
Their only hope was in fight; and upon
flight they at once resolved. But With
er should they fec? As they anxiously
revolyed this question they heard foot
steps approaching, and Electra, by Fa-
bans command, hastily fled towards the
camp, leaving her lover TO meet the in
truders alone. .....
Fabian soon saw two of the most no.
torious rufiians Of the tribe approaching,
named Cover and 1rogus. They were
vile instruments OF the Gispy chief, ever
clad to do his bidding no matter how
bloody or infamous the service. They |
generally travelled together, and their
DISCUSSES were az many and various rs |
there were occasions for their Use. They |
summoned Fabian, III the kings name, to |
accompany them, at once, at Atherstone,
where they were 10 meet Gondebald, and |
then set out upon some expedition OF
great Importance. OF course, he had to
obey; but as Dione's warning was still |
fresh In his mind, he first went to his |
tent and armed himself with couple Of
pistols. which he secret9d in his pockets.
Before the party had proceeded many |
miles through the forest, Fabian became |
convinced that the rufians meant to do |
him harm. He was certain that they
were not on the path to Atherstone; and
az they drew near frighttul chasm,
through which rushed a turbulent stream,
he saw by the demeanor of Cover and
Trogus, that the decisive moment was at
hand. tie had walked between them thus
Tar, one in his front the other behind him
but now under pretext of having hurt
bis foot he stepped aside, and paused till
the rear william passed him, and then
Iimped on after them.
Ga arriving at the edge of the chasm,
the rut1ans suddenly wheeled around,
drew their Rh,Ves, and rushed upon Ia
bian, OF whom they thought TO make
speedy wota. But they were mistaken.
Drawing bis pistols, he shot Cover dead
and woun ded Irogus in the right shout
der so severely that the ruthau fell to the
earth ami begged for mercy. On rchec-
tion, Fabian resolved to spare the viii
lain's life; and at once set about dresslngl