River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-08-11
THE GYPSY'S RUSE.


away from me so incredulouslyl STOP
moment cross my hand with silve
and hear what have to say. A bonny
b0Isny fortune | will tell you"
His route intercepted by the uncan
ny creature, who 50 strcnuOusly craveC
the honor OF lifting the veil from the
misty future, Justin Stanley paused GU
of sheer necessity, and waited bit i'm
patiently for her to proceed, beating &
tattoo on the ground with one restless
foot.
He was man we'll worth looking at
Of the average height, compactly built
with face that women would admire
at first sight, albeit it was grave, qui-
ct one, and in no manner handsome.
The woman-for the singular being
who stood in his pathway was of the
feminine gender-was tall and thin and
old-weird and repulsive as dwellel
of the Plutonian realm. 1t was hard
to tell to what peculiar nationality she
belonged.
Her skin was bronzed to the hue oil
copper; her eyes were keen and black
as sloes; and her hair, which struggled
down her back, and Of which she had
an abundance, was white as snow.
A heavy black cloak was wrapped
toga-lke, about her 1ttenuated form,
though it was Il balmy summer day
In her ears swung barbaric loops OF
gold, and faded crimson scarf was
twisted about her head.
If the man before her had not been
so exceedingly matter-of-fact, lie would
have had faith at once in her supernat-
ural powers As it was, contemptu-
Gus smile crept about his lips, and his
tone took on touch Of sarcasm, as he
said
Madame Gypsy, am too old a per
son, too matter-Of-fact a one altogether
to be taken in by the chaff you fling
forth The future lies hidden from
mortal sight till the Creator himself lifts
aside the veil. Be so good as to step
aside and allow me to pass. "No," as
she bgan to demonstrate, II will not lis
ten to youl | tell You | have no faith 4;
but" as she persistently kept her
place, and he could not pass unless he
was SO rude as 10 thrust her TO one side,
which he was to much of a gentieman
to do, "here is some money for you.
Take it ami be content"
He tossed her Il handful Of silver, but
the Gypsy, with gesture of disdain,
stepped back pace or two, and letting
the coins lie UNDECIDED in the lush grass
where they fell, 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
a sudden thought striking him, Justin
Stanley cried out:
stop a moment, Gypsy Pll tell you
how you can earn the silver, and an adj
ditional handful also. am in love"
81 know it, confidently asserted the
prophecies. "A girl as sweet and pref
ty rs a blue-bell
Nay" he laughed "but just the re-
verse. She is more like one of the wild
roses that blossom so profusely along
the banks here-haying equally as
many thorns as petals. Ruffle her tenn
per and you had better touch one, two,
three-half 4 dozen thorns. You see,
my good woman, you can't tell for
tunes. There, don't get angry-no of
fence meant. You can assist me mate
rally il you elect l want you to go
up to yorder white cottage peeping shy
~ ont Of its thicket of green, and tell
the pretty. vixenish young lady there
my divinity, in spite of her uncertain
temper-her fortune. She is supersti-
tious enough to please you, and will
give credenCe to any tale, no matter
how wild and improbable, that you may
relate VIII you 60?
cave, sir; for | need the money. But
you err when you doubt my ability to
read the future The wind, the water,
the very whispering going on among
the branches of the .rees, tell me what
is to happen. You can place as much
dependence in my prophesies as of old
was placed in Ate's."
Yes, yes" impatiently; 81 know all
you would say But | am an unbe-
lever; 50 stop your rigmarole and
listen"
He leaned against the bole of a
young linden; She stopped wn and
gathered up the coins cleaning in the
grass.
When he had enlightened her rs to
what she must do. and Il second hand
full of silver jingled merrily in her capa-
cious pocket, She went of in the direc-
ton of the cottage, whilst the man who
had dispatched her on such strange
errand resumed his walk, and gave
himself up to a fit of musing.
Il wonder if it will be for the best?'
he murmured Maggie is pretty and
intelligent, and agreeable when she
chooses To be, but she has Il temper
that would try the patience of a saint
Do love her? am not quite certain,
after ALL and-dear me- Eve half a no
ton to call that Old cheat of gypsy
back. Goodness, she IS nearly out Of
sight Well, let her 60. If | change
my mind, | shall not be there
With which ambiguous remark, he
hurried ON to his place of business.
Meanwhile the gypsy had reached the
cottage. Such a place rs It was, with
its great yard, enclosed by an iron pal
ing and overrunning with pOSies and arO-
matte herbs that sent forth an agreea-
BILE oder As she went up the path.
On the portico, labed over with morn
ing-glorv vines, alive with blooming
bellshaped blossoms, stood two ladies'.
One was small and pretty, with dark
ewes and pointing, red lips, whom the
woman instinctively recognized As the
rose with thornS: the other was tall and
beautiful, Of the statuesque order, with
blue-gray eyes. and mouth as sweet
rs an angels.
Something ike admiration was in the
sipsy's glance rs it rested upon the lat
ter. She was clothed in some thin
white material which iloated about her
like a cloud. Beauty unadorned was
uersouated in her.
In the heavy golden braids that were
caught up So carelesSly at the back OF
her head. there was not so much rs a
bit Of ribbon; at her white throat moth
ing but the snowy rutiie; on her slim,
capable hands, no ring; nothing enly-
ening about her, in the way of orna-
ment, if ! except the double rose-col-
ored slthea that was fastened at her
waist.
They regarded her wonderingly.
What queer creature she was, What
perfect Witch Of Endor, Maggie
France drew herself up
what Is your business, woman
Maggie and the tall, stately girl,
whose appearance had so taken the
gypsy by surprise. lifted her clear eyes
beseechirgly TO her friend. do not
speak 50 abruptly. The woman looks
flushed and tired Let her sit down
Ia