Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-17
THE Gypsy DAUG GHTER.
By SYLvANCs COBB, il

which was pitched a Gipsy camp,) sat two
beautiful girls, members of the vagrant tribe
which had long infested that region.
One of these forest beauties was tall and
queenly, and of light, fairy form like, with
deep blue eyes and pensive cast of counten-
ance, shaded by an abundance of bright, sum-
ny-brown hair. Her name was ELECTRA. and
she was the daughter of GoNDEBALp, the Gipsy
Kings chief captain.
Her companion was LEDA, the daughter of
MoHANMED, the Gipsy King himself She was
shorter In stature than Electra; her form was
more full; her face plump and dimpled; her
eyes OF dark hazel, and her hair Of darkest
brown Both the Gipsy girls were beautiful
beyond description, as the daughters of that
strange race are apt to be, and on the present
occasion, both were sad-unusually sad.
Electra loved young man Of the tribe,
named FABIAN, as handsome a gallant, and
with as true heart, as ever the sun shope
upon; and Leda was her confidante, and sym
Pathized with her in everything. And they
had that very morning-it was now toward
the close of the warm summer-day-Iearned of
n plot, hatched by Mohanmed and Gondebald,
which would not only prevent the union of
Electra and Fabian, but also plunge both the
maldens into unspeakable and lifelong wretch
edness.
The plot was that Mohammed should give
his daughter Leda in marriage to Gondebald;
and GOndebald in return was to give his
daughter Electra in marriage to Mohammed.
The announcement Of this plan had filed the
hearts of the two girls with Indignation and
misery; and they had withdrawn to their Sc.
cluded nook to consult together, and if posi-
BILE, comfort each other. 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, sooner than submit
to such n revolving union.
just as they had come to this conclusion.
they heard footsteps in the forest, and soon
Fabian came in view; whereupOn Leda hastily
quilted the stop, that the lovers might com
mune alone. The meeting was a sad one, for
Fabian had also heard the news Old DIoNE,
the Sorceress of the tribe had told it to him:
and she had also limited that neither he nor
Electra was of Gipsy parentage, that a
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. ''-Uotres are abroad, my son :" she
said; g aud they THIRST for the blood of one
WHOM THEY PEAR Look nceH to Myseif, amd
to Electra ~
The lovers were filled with dismay. Their
only hope was In flight; and upon fight they at
once resolved. But whittier should they fee
As they anxiOusly resolved this question, they
heard footsteps approaching, and Electra, by
fabian's command, hastily fed towards the
camp, leaving her lovers to meet the intruders
alone.
Fabian soon saw two of the most notorious
ruftians Of the tribe approaching named Cover
and Trogus. They were vile instruments of
the Gipsy chief, ever glad to do his bidding, no
matter how bloody or infamous the service
They generally travelled together and their
disguises were as many and various as there
were occasions for their use. They summoned
Fabian In the King name, to accompany
them, at once, to Atherstone, where they were
to meet GOndebald, and then set cut upon
some expedition of great Importance. Of
course, he had to obey; but ss Dione's warning
was still fresh in his mind, he first went to his
tent and armed himself with a couple of pis-
tolls, which he secreted 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 as they drew near a frightful
chasm, through which rushed a turbulent
stream, he saw, by the demeanOr of Cover and
Trogus, that the decisive moment was at hand.
He had walked between them thus far-one in
his front, the other behind him,-but now
under pretext of having hurt his foot, he
stepped aside, and paused till the rear villain
passed him, and then limped on after them.
On arriving at the edge Of the chasm, the
rufhans suddenly wheeled around, drew their
knives, and rushed upon Fabian, of whom they
thought to make speedy work. But they were
mistaken. Drawing his pistols he shot Cover
so severely that the ruff an fell to the earth and
begged for mercy. On reflection, Fabian re-
solved to spare the villains life; and at once set
about dressing his wound as well as he could,
with view to getting him back to the camp
This magnanimOus conduct not only astounded
Trogus, but it did mOre-it touched his heart,
and he promised forever after to be friend to
Fabian as far as it should lay in his power. He
advised our hero not to return to the camp, as
the king would certainly take further proceed
tRgs against him; thus limiting, although he
would not expressly acknowledge the truth
that MOhammed had ordered him and Cover
to kill Fabian; and he also hinted about other
dark deeds that might be done, and earnestly
besought his preserver not to place himself
again in the king power.
But Fabian returned to the camp. The Jour
ney was slow, as Trogus could not travel fast;
and it was near midnight when they arrived
Fabian went at once to the tent of Diene, and
found the SoreereSs up, and seemingly await
ing the arrival of some one. She was strange
looking creature, and might have served as
model for any artist who would picture a witch
to the life Dione was a Spanish Gitano, and
she had brought with her from the sunny South
many an item of mystic lore before unknown
among the English Gipsies
When Fabian had told Dione his story, she
rocked herself to and fro, and muttered, $50
soon. so soon" and then warning the youth
to be on his guard, she dismissed him, with a
promise to communicate some important secrets
to him on the morrow, and plan for his and
Electra's future safety
Mohammed and Gondebald soon learned
through their spies, that Trogus was in his tent;
and the king at ence sent for him. On being
questioned, Trogus told his story to the
astounded plotters, who raved with fury on
learning the issue of their attempt upon our
hero's life. They soon bent Trogus to their
wishes by mingled threats and promises. and
his cue having been given to him, three Gipsies
were sent to bring Fabian to the kings apart
ment.
Mohammed and Gondebald were i'll at ease
The latter feared that unless he should be able
to bestow Electra upon the King, he himself
would never be permitted to take the fascina-
ting Leda to wife and this unexpected escape
and return of Fabian perilled all his dearest
hopes The king, however, had deeper cause
for disquiet and greater reason to fear Fabian,
than resulted from our hero's love for and in.
fuence over Electra. Dione had WHISPERED
strange things in his ear, and her m ystic warn
ings had caused him to tremble. Of these
things he could not speak to Gondebald, but
treasured them in his own dark breast, and
tried to assume a look Of easy assurance, and
spoke words Of arrogant confidence; but ere be
could prolopg his remarks the door was opened