The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-11-25
THE GYPSY COUNTESS.
BY 8. A. SMITH.

BY s. A. SMITH.
Paris was wild with enthusiasm, and
shouts Of "Long live the Emperor" came
from every street and lane of the great
city. Applause, congratulations, and
expressions of confidence came to the
great conqueror from all quarters. Al
the palace the scene was q brilliant one
The magnificent dresses of the ladies',
their costly velvets, and flashing jewels,
the rich uniforms and court costumes
blazing with gems of the courtiers and
brave Generals of France, then the thou
sand cleaning lights, the gorgeous furni-
ture and ornaments, the parade and
pomp Of royal etiquette made up
bright, glowing picture, equal to fairy
land
Seated under a silken canopy was the
Emperor Napoleon, and ut his side
Josephine the Empress, whose quiet yet
regal demeanor would have marked her
anywhere Us n distinguished parsonage.
Napoleon, with his pale, intellectual
countenance, his dark, piercing eyes,
and naughty air, looked every inch the
great General and conqueror. The EN-
press, noted for her love and splendor,
was attired in rich, white silk, thickly
covered with gold embroidery and costly
lace; on her dark, shining hair rested a
coronet of diamonds and necklace of
the same gems flashed like n river of
light on the white throat. Her mantle
was of imperial purple, relieved by
small, white flowers formed of pearls
She was surrounded by bevy of beau
ties whose fresh, young charms far out
shone those of the creole Empress.
After the affairs of court and camp had
been discussed and the royal pair had
received the congratulations and compli-
ments Of those by whom they were SO
greatly admired and revered, Napoleon
and Josephine retired to the privacy of
their own apartments, and then each one
gave themselves up to the gayety and
enjoyments of the hour.
''What say you TO a visit to the gypsy
camp?" said the young Count st. Aubyn,
one of the handsomest gallants at the
court. 81 hear that among the tribe is
beautiful girl, a sort of Queen, to
whom all pay homage, and this Tara, for
such is her name, has a wonderful gift OF
seeing into the future, can lift the mystic
veil and read page from each life for
those whose curiosity prompts them to
take peep into the dim beyond"
with all my heart, say T." exclaimed
q bejewelled and perfumed exquisite,
who stood near the Count; 81 am all
impatient to catch q glimpse of the
gypsy Queen, and to see what the future
has in store. e.l4. s
ALI the ladies were ready and eager te
accompany the gentlemen ON their visit
10 the camp, and soon carriage after car
riage, with their gny and lovely occupants
rolled away over the shaded avenues oul
into the beautiful country where the
rowing band Of gypsies were encamped
It was q scene for an artist. On all sides
an autumn-hued forest, which the raw,
of the declining sun were bathing in q
sea Of liquid, golden light. Through
the leafy interstices a picturesque en-.
campment of gypsies could be seen at Q
little distance. Standing apart from the
other tents was q small one made q
alternate stripes of crimson and white
1t was near a silyery stream, the music
OF whose running waters made sweet
low melody. As the party of high-bret
court beauties and gay cavaliers ap
preached the tents, men, women and
children came out and gazed curiously at
the elegantly-dressed group.
Approaching man who seemed to be
the chief, st. Aubyn said, in imperious
tones:
1--WE want our fortunes told. Bring
the woman hither, for we are not used tc
waitingl"
Indeed" replied the man, laughing
scornfully, as he very deliberately sa
down on the mossy ground and took I
child in his arms, e-thinks, m,
naughty gentleman, You forget you ar
away from court, where cringing ant
fawning is the fashion of the hour. Her
You are in the forests, out in free air
not more free than we, whom you addres
so loftily. We are not used to such
manner. Nay, 1 care not for your frowns
/ am king here and brook no commands
When you ask in a more fitting way +
see my daughter / may comply wit
your request" and, rising, the man wa
about to retire, when Blanche Deveigne
the belle and beauty, the rarest fowe
amid all the court exotics, came forward
and with q smile upon her lovel
countenance and sparkle of mischief j
her violet eyes, said, in her well-bret
silvery tones:
Monsieur, pardon; but You woul
not disappoint so many, especially til
ladies? We are all so impatient to hav
our fortunes told by the pretty quee
who is said to have the rare gift
second sight. Surely your majesty wi
deign to notice my request, made in tt
most humble manner possible" and til
maiden made low, sweeping courtes
to the dark-browed man before her, VIII,
for q moment, hardly knew whether
be pleased or vexed with the merry gir
but at length, vanquished by the lovel,
smiling face, and more by the shinir
gold piece she slipped into his hand,
answered:
'You think, perhaps, that my child
rude, ignorant and coarse; that she
nothing but vulgar, wandering vagral
like her tribe. You are mistaken. 81
Is fit to mate with the eagle, and s.
shall. But you shall see her." al
putting q whistle TO his lips the mi
blew n shrill call. The flowing drape
Of crimson and white at the door Of d
tent occupied by the queen was draw
aside, and at the entrance stood q
slight, girlish figure of Tara; n da
complexion, but with q vivid blush up'
her cheeks and lips. Her hair was blui
blaoi, and was braided in massi
h4n1ds falling far below the slepd