Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-01-25

would cause the eyes of q genuine young
gypsy woman to sparkle with deli ght.
Ten minutes later our mischievous friend
stood before the mirror. fully equipped
in this strange costume, save that her
beautiful curls yet dropped over the laugh
ing face, whose clear brunette was mo-
men tarily becoming darker and redder
under the skillful manipulations of her
busy fingers.
Now then, I will throw my large
mamie over thisSdYess, tuck the sun bon
net under my arm, and with my nat on,
40 one who may chance to meet me will
suspect that l am in my usual costume.
| told no untruth when I left word that I
was going to the village. am going
there after 1 told those two foolish per-
sous on the porch youder their fortunes"
"There, Miss Sallie," exclaimed Will
liam Davis, "there comes one of the very
tribe of gypsies that have been telling
you Of. She is in haste to visit you, I
think. Her friends can scarcely have
pitched their tents YET; for it has not been
two hours since their chief asked my per-
mission to settle down in my grove
"She is an old woman, too,' said Sal
lie, "and hvw fantastically she is dressed
in real gypsy fashion, even though she
is SO feeble that she uses cane. Hush,
here she H."
'Day to ye my lsddy and gentleman
Bless your young faces, and will you les
the old gypsy woman tell your fortunes,
my dears? 1t will be blltbe fortunes ye
will have-that much see in your bonny
faces Come now, let tho gypsy tell
your fortunes, gentlefolks.
A few moments hesitation, and low
spoken coLsultation-and thep, while the
gypsy rested her shaking limbs on the
steps, Will Davis, laughing, Leld out is
hand for her Inspection, first, however
crossing her own with silver, "both for
the lady and himself.
But the gypsy dsmurrcd to this mode
of procedure; the gentleman must not
come first, Or bad fortunes would come
to him, his sister should precede him.
So Davis, without in the least disclaim-
ing the relationship, stepped aside. giving
place to the halftimid maiden.
But again the fortune teller objected.
Young sir, will yo just 80 further Of?
1t spoils . fortune to have two to hear
it.
Will Davis, half ACHING, ha If yexed,
retired as requested, and then the old wo.
man, without further delay. took Sallie's |
white hand in her own, and slowly traced
the lines upon it.
Now Miss Sallie Bergh was not at all
inclined to place implicit faith in any rev.
Citations that mig ht be made to her, even
by the most skiiltul fortune teller the
world contaned--nor whatever were her
failings, Was superstition included in the
when the old gypsy's
gloved finger travelled slowly over her
palm, the plaid sun-bonnet, with its i'm
posing cape, being gravely shaken the
whle-the young lady repented of her
rash compliance with the weird creatures
request.
Repented Of it, even though she learn
ed that she was loved by a tall dark
young man, who was at that moment not
far distant, bus who needed encouragement |
from her to declare bis love.
"TAe stars never lie, Miss" concluded |
the gypsy, "0nd they have written it in
your palm that ye will be married before
this time mex. year, and ye will have a
good husband. and be happy, Blessing.
on ye. Miss"
Sallie now stepped within the house,
and Davis advanced to the fortune-tel-
Ter.
"Be quick, good woman" he said,
casting all uneasy glance toward the par
lor window, whence the bright girlish
face that was so dear to him looked smil-
ingly out.
ITS blthe fortune Is yours, sir
4 happy and long life is before you. Ye
will marry, and very soon. Ye have met
the lady already, sir, and bonny leddy
she is, with dark brown hair, and brown
hair like your sister, that sits there at
the window now. we've got one fault sir,
ye're too dmid, Ye love the Teddy. and
she loves ycu, but you are too faiitheart-
ed to speak it out to her, and hear her
say yes, and SO maybe, after all, you'll
not get the Teddy, Tor some else may
snatch her from ye BE brave, speak
out sir. and remember the poor old gypsy
woman in your joy"
Leaving the bewildered young man
standing speechless ou the steps, the for
tune-teler hobbled slowly away, and as
she disappeared in the thick grove that
partially concealed the road to the village,
VIII Davis drew a long breath.
"She is right, that strange old creature
he murmursd. Faint heart never won
lair lady. Yes, the gypsy is right;
W Ill no longer yield to my unmanly cow
ardice. | will! in, and learn nay real for
tune from that sweet girls own lips, and
Heaven grant. that the gypsy be right in
th is lso, that she loves me. But ali
that would be too great happiness for me,
all unworthy as am. But awsy, faint
heart, no more hesitation. l will be
brave, and meet my fate like man.
"Here comes Katie from her visit to
the village" said Sallie, and hour lates.
ShO was standing at the window, and
as she spoke, young Davis came to her
side, and gently stole his arm around
her.
Shall we tell her now, my dearess!"
he whispered. "Yes F? That is well then,
for am SO happy that | long to tell of
it. But. he added doubtfully. 'pcr-
haps she will not"
Ills words were interrupted by the
appearance of the young lady in qass-
ton rather more speedily than either OF
The mir had anticinataa for Wiu DaYls's