Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-17

the building aud thence down into the cellar. This eel
M seemed to be nearly broad in extent as was the
surface covered by the main part OF the building but
Saul pushed far corner where found door up
on opening which low vaued passage was discovered
Into this the prisoner led and presently another
door was reached which opened with creaking sound
and beyond which appeared tomblike dungeon, with
solid stone walls and arched ceiling, into which the
youth was thrust, and the door shut upon him.
What next TO expect Fabian was hardly prepared to
guess though he feared it would be some evil thing.
In the meantime the Gypsy King and his captain held
an earnest consultation, during which they exhibited
much malice and rage, but did not seem able to hit upon
any satisfactory course OF action.
i'What shall We do n cried Mohammed, starting up
and walking across the floor, "Gondebald" he contin
ued as he came back "do you know that the country
already becoming hot about that the officers Of the
law have a sharp eye upon us "
"Yes my lord,-I am aware of that"
And you know that they are liable, at any time to
come down upon usg'
"Yes.n
Then it is clear enough that we must mot have any
dsscnsons in camp present Were it not for that
this trial should come off this very morning and the te
low should be hanged before night But dare not do i;
now. But-my captain-yOur countenance looks bright
What thought is it:'
Gondebald bent his head a moment with his finger
pressed upon his brow and then he approached his chief
What he had to say he dared not speak aloud in
that place so he whispered it into the kings ear. No
BANNED started he caught the idea and convusvey
graspng his willy counsellor by the hand be exclaimed
Good Gondebald it shall be done 1T shall be
done"
Near the middle of the forenoon-an hour after the
conference between Mohammed and his captain-Eecra
sat alone in her tent She had heard strangearu
mor concerning the adventures of her lover but yet
she had arrived the truth The weight Of suspense
was agonzing and she resolved to seek old Dione, in
hopes that she might there gain further light She had
risen and was about to draw her light mantle her
b,r nv thp on
trance Of Gondebald.
''Sit down, Electra, sit down" her father said He
took a seat as he spoke and when she had done the
same he continued 81 have something say to you.
l think you have heard some news. Is It notso =
81 have heard vague rumOrS she replied.
"And III wager a golden crown, that you about
to 90 out after information lou going seek old
DiOue, were you not -
eyes" Electra replied; but she looked down she
spoke for her fathers gaze was fixed upon her so
beeny that she could not meet it.
Electra, listen to me-" He spoke quickly and stern
w. and the fair girl startled she heard his
If you trust that old witch You will trust bengpe
lou don't know her In Spain she caused the ruin of
thousand virgins like yourself. Her evil eye is upon
YOU. Beware of her, or worse fate shall be yours
thau any you ever vet dreamed OF. 20 you know the
story of The terrible charm she at her girdle ~
"NC" the maiden replied, wOnderingly for she be-
leved that the sorceres possessed morc than mortal
power
did you not know that chat charm was composed Of
human bones
Il have heard so, " said Electra shuddering
Did YOU never hear what particular kind Of bones
they are ~
Bones Of the finger, I think"
cave, but that is not all Mark me Each bone is from
the right fore finger OF girl like yourself; and she
wears them mark the number of those who have fall
en- into her feudsh tolls She have fifty of them to
make the charm all powerful. She now has eight
a-diotty. She has fixed her evil eye upon you and
Ledl,'
NO no cried Electra, really terrified CO. it can
not be'
"But know" asserted GOudebald slowly and en-
phaticay. And now, l warn you to beware of her
A. present her power is limited but if you submit to
her wies You are ost,'
Electra dared dispute her father and yet she
unwilling to believe that DOne could mediate any such
cruel plan. True, she did believe that the
WITCH but still she felt confidence in her personal
friendship Gondebald seemed to read the girls thoughts
and he presently interrupted them:
"Bgt my child did not mean to speak Of done when
began though glad that the thought occurred TO
me- for now have given thee a suficieu; warning OF a
great danger meant 10 speak TO YOU Of this Fabian.
Ah-you start lou are Interested"
awe am interested" the maiden replied after a
moments hesitation. 81 should be foolish to Al
tempt the cOncealmcnt Of so palpable a truth
II am glad that you frank with me, Electra
But TO the story Fabian under arrest aud in close
confinement for killing Cover and attempting 10 take
the life Of Trogus; and if he to trial. he must
surely be condemned
Electra uttered quick cry of pain, aud pressed her
hand upon her heart.
But, pursued Gondebald who, though he watched
his child sharply seemed to take no particular notice
Of this sudden emotion the king desires to save the
youth if he can, aud he has called his counsel
We dclbcraed "a very long while upon the matter Il
evident th1 70 Fabian brought trial his con
dcmuatiou must follow for plain laws cannot be set
aside lnurfl hit the ouly Inv ,ylIi
his salvation could bee Effected. We TO let him
make his escape DO YOU understand me ~
Escape" repeated Electra.
"lss. We mean 10 let him escape. way will be
opened to him. as though by accident and he will be
permitted TO 20 free
With one Of those powerful efforts by which the mai
den could times entirely control the passionate
emotion she Gained the wild beating of her heart thus
utterly conceang tue feelings which we're rending her
soul. She could not plainly understand the plot bu,
that there plot against her lover she felt sure
Should She at present seek further information from her
father she feared that she might expose herself she
spoke from the necessity Of couceament which upon
her.
II am glad She said, 81 that you have told me this
0r nov shal. De more easy. | did feel much anxiety
when heard Of Fibians danger. We have been chill
jryu togetaer--we have been paymates togetier-and
in latter years We have been warm friends ! have Learn
cd TO prize bis compauoushp much; and will not deny
that have looked upon him with more perhaps than a
mere friendly affection But oven to bear me company,
would not have him remain here and be i'm danger
glad therefore, that YOU have planned 10 let him 20.
Goudebad completely deceived lie had watched
the maidan every expression and had caught every in
on9on Of her voice aud not single sign could he de-
ecL upon which 20 iaSten suspicion that she did
and feel Just what she spoke. lie thought he
her real feelings and furthermore he imagined that she
had been very frank with Linn be left her with a feel
ing Of satisfaction which would doubtless have been
changed to rage could be have overheard the plot ar
riug,d in bis few hours afterwards by bis daughter
ana Leda. The Gypsy fathers crafty; but what
man could ever ouplot maiden when striving for her
lovers safety?
CHAPTER H.
tbs BLOOD-H0UNDs,
Sometime near the middle of the dav man came down