The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-17
LITERATURE.
THE GYPSY DAUGHTER;
OR,
THE KING AND THE SORCERESS.
LITERATURE.
BY sYLvANUs coBB, JR.

BY sYLvANUs coBB, JR.
CHAPTER L.
In the far corner Of lovely glade in the forest
Of Arden. Situated In the northern part of War
wiokshire, England, and in the midst of which WAS
pitched q Gypsy camp, sat two beautiful girls,
members Of the vagrant tribe which had long in.
tested that region.
One Of these forest beauties was tall and queenly
and of light, fairylike form with deep blue eyes
and pensve cast of countenance, shaded by an
abundance of bright sunny brown hair. Her name
was Electra, and she was the daughter of Condo
bald, the Gypsy Kings chief captain.
Her companion was Leda, the daughter of No
manned, the Gypsy King himself She was shorter
In stature than Electra her form was more full
her face plump and dimpled; her eyes of q dark
hazel, and her hair of darkest brown. Both the
Gypsy girls were beautiful beyond description, as
he daughters of that strange race are apt to be
and on the present occasion both were sad-unu
sually sad.
Electra loved q young man of the tribe, named
Fabian as handsome gallant, and with as true a
heart as ever the sun shone upon; aud Ledl was
her conhdante, and sympathized with her in every.
thing. And they had that very morning-it was
now toward the close Of the warm summer day
learned of plot, Matched by Mohammed and Con
Electra and Fabian, but also plunge both the mai
dens into unspeakable and lifelong wretchedness.
The plot was that Mohammed should give his
daughter Leda In marriage TO Gondebald; aud Con
debad 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Indignation and misery; and they had withdrawn to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 secluded nook to consult together and il pos
sible. comfort each other. But no hope of comfort
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 revolving
union.
Just as they had come to this conclusion, they
heard footste in the forest and soon Fabian came
In view; whereupon Leda hastily quilted the spot,
ing was 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 Gypsy parentage--that a
which she might at some time unfold She had
also warned Fabian to look out for his safety.
Evolves are abroad, my son." she said; land they
thirst for the blood Of one whom they fear. Look
well to myself and to Electra"
The lovers were filled with dismay. Their only
hope was in fight; and upon fight they at once re-
solved. But whittier should they flee? As they
anxious,y revolved this question, they heard foot
steps approaching. and Electra, by Fabians com
mand hastily fed towards the camp, leaving her
lover to meet the ntruders alone.
Fabian soon saw two of the most notorious ruff
fans of the tribe approaching, named Cover and
chief, ever glad to do hi, bidding no matter how
bloody or Infamous the service. They generally
travelled together, and their DISCUSSES were as
many and as various as there were occasions for
their use. They summoned Fabian. in the Kings
name, to accompany them, at once, to Atherstone,
where they were to 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 a couple Of pistols, which
he secreted in his pockets.
Before the party had proceeded many miles
through the forest Fabian became convinced that
the ruffans meant to do him harm. He was certain
that they were not on the path to Atherstone; and
as they drew near frightful chasm, through which
rushed turbulent stream, he saw, by the de-
meanor or Cover and rroges that the decisive mo-
ment 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 until the rear villain
passed him, and then lmped on after them
On arriving at the edge of the chasm, the rufians
suddenly wheeled around drew their knives, aud
rushed upon Fabian, Of whom they thought to make
speedy work. But they mistaken. Drawing
his pistols, he shot Cover dead aud wounded Tro.
gus in the right shoulder severely that the ruan
fell to the earth and begged for mercy. On refec-
ton, Fabian resolved TO spare the villains lfe and
at once set about dressing his wound as well he
could. with view to getting him back to the camp
This msgnanimous conduct not only astonished
Trogus, but it did more-it touched his heart, aud
he promised forever after TO be friend to Fabian
our hero not to return to the camp, as the King
would certainly take further proceedings against
him. thus limiting although he would not expressly
acknowledge the truth. that M0hammed had or
dered him and Cover to kill Fabian; and he also
limited about other dark deeds that might be done,
and earnestly besought his preserver not to place
himself again in the Kings power.
But Fabian returned to the camp. The journey
was slow, as Trogus could not travel fast; and II
was near midnight when they arrived. Fabian
went at once to the tent Of Dione, and found the
sorceress up, and seemingly awaiting the arrival Of
some one. She was strange looking creature, and
might have served model for any artist who
would picture O witch to the life. Dione was
Spanish Gitano, and she had brought with her from
the sunny South many an item Of mystic lore be-
fore unknown among the English Gipsies.
When Fabian had told Dione his story she rocked
herself to and fro and muttered $50 soon, soon,
and then warning the youth to be on his guard she
dismissed him with promise to communicate some
important secrets to him on the morrow, and plan
for his and Electras future safety.
Mohammed and Gondebald soon learned, through
their spies, that Trogus was In his tent, and the
King at once sent for him. On being questioned
Trogus told his story to the astounned plotters,
who raved with fury on learning the issue of their
attempt upon our hero's life. They soon bent rro.
gus 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 apartment.
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 fascinating Leda to wife;
and this unex pected escape and return of Fa-
bian perrilled all his dearest hopes. The
King, however, had deeper cause for disquiet,
suited from our hero's love for and influence
over Electra. Dione had whispered strange things
In his ear and her mystic warnings had caused him
to tremble. OF these thugs he could not speak to
Gondebald, but treasured them in his own dark
breast, and tried to assume look of easy as
surance, and spoke words of arrogant confidence;
but ere he could prolong his remarks, the door
ment by the three rufians who had been sent for
him.
When Fabian found himself in the presence Of
the king and his captain, there was Q sense of
rienced. Mohammed looked dark and threatening,
his brutal face being settled into an expression Of
most deadly meaning; while Gondebald with his