The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1881-07-30
THE GIPSYS RUSE.

/ see a good one in that comely face
of yours-one that will make you at
peace with all mankind. Nay do not
turn away from me so incredulously!
Stop moment, beg; cross my hand
with silver, and hear what j have to
say. A bonny, bonny, fortune l will
tell ybu
His route intercepted by the I'M
canny creature, who so strenuously
craved the honor of lifting the veil
from the misty future Justin Stan
ley paused out of sheer necessity,
and waited bit impatiently for her
to proceed, beating tattoo on the
ground with one restless foot.
He was man well worth looking
at. OF the average height, compact
ly built, with a face that women would
admire at first sight, albeit it was q
grave, quiet one, and in no manner
handsome.
The woman-for the singular crea-
tufe who stood in his pathway was of
the feminine gender--was tall and
thin and old-weird and repulsiye as
dweller of the Plutonian realm. 1t
was hard to tell to what nationality
she belonged.
Her skin was bronzed to the hue
of copper; her eyes were keen and
black as sloes; and her hair, which
struggled adown her back, and of
which she had an abundance, was as
white as snow.
A heavy black cloak was wrapped,
toga-like, about her attenuatcd form,
though it was balmy, summer day.
In her ears swung barbaric loops of
gold, and faded crimson scarf was
twisted about her head. w
| If the man before her bad not been
So exceedingly matter-of-fact, he
would have hal faith at once in her
supernatural powers. As it was, a
contemptuous smile crept about his
lips, and his tone took on touch of
sarcasm, as he Said:
Madame Gypsy, i am too old a
person,too matter-of fact enc alto
gcther, to be taken in by the chat
you fling forth. The future lies hid
den from mortal sight till the Great
OF himself lifts aside the veil. BE Sc
good as to step aside and allow me to
pass.
sNo," as she began to remonstrate.
Il will not listen to you! ! tell You
| have no faith; but as she persist
emily kept her place and he could not
pass unless he was so rude as to
thrust her to one side, which he was
too much of gentleman to do, "hcrc
is some money for you. Take it and
be content"
He tossed her handful of silver,
but the gypsy, with a gesture of dis
dain, stepped back pace or two,
and, letting the coins lie unheeded In
the lush grass where they dropped,
proudly replied:
IL never take what do not earn
Pick up your money! shall not
touch it,
Wrapping her cloak more closely
about her, she was turning away
when q sudden thought striking him,
| Justin Stanley cried out:
''Stop a moment Gypsy! I'll tell
you how you can earn the silver, and
an additional handful also. / am in
love-"
Il know it," confidently asserted
the prophecies. IA girl as sweet
and pretty rs blue-bell.'
May" he laughed; ''but just the
reverse. She is more like one of The
wild-roses that blossom so profusely
along the banks herc-having equal
ly as many thorns as petals. Rufllt
her temper, and you had better touch
one, two, thrce-half dozen thorns
You see, my good woman, you CAM
ten fortunes. There, don't get angry
no offense meant. You can assist
me materially, you elect. | want
| you to 60 up to yonder white cottage
peeping shyly out Of its thicket o.
/ green, and tell the pretty, vixenisl
/ young lady there-my divinity, il
] spite of her uncertain temper-hel
fortune. She is snperstitious enough
to please you, and will give credence
1 to any tale, no matter how wild and
improbable. that you may relate
Will you go?"
"Aye, sir; for / need the money
/ But you err when you doubt my
/ ability to read the future. The wind
water, the very whispering going or
among TIE branches of the trees, tel
me what is to happen. You can place
as much dependence in my prophe
/ sizes as of old was placed in Ate's."
Yes, yes" impatiently; 81 know
all you would say. But | am an I'M
believer; SO stop your rigmarole
and listen"
He leaned against the bole of a
young linden; she stopped down and
/ gathered up the coins cleaning in
the grass.
When he had enlightened her as
to what she must do, and a second
handful Of silver jingled merrily in
her capacious pocket, she went off in
the direction of the cottage, whilst
the man who had dispatched her on
such a strange errand. resumed his
walk, and gave himself up to fit OF
musing.
Il wonder if it will be for the best?'