Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-04-26

This Is your last sitting, Melta.
It was on the morning Of the seventh
day after Frank Melville had first met
the Zjngari that these words were spok-
en-. The young Scotchman was putting
the finishing touches to large water
color drawing representing Melita as a
gypsy queen. The progress of the
work had been watched by the tribe
with mingled feelings of wonder and de-
light; and the girls dark eyes had shone
with pleasure and pride as she looked
upon the life-like portrayal of her Won
drous beauty.
The knowledge which the young ar
fist possessed of gypsy manners and
customs had placed him on special
footing with Melita and the other
members of the band so that they al
most regarded him as one of themselves,
and referred to matters in his presence
which they would have carefully
Stunned in the case Of any other
"house-dweller." Melita would some
times speak of the pleasures of her
nomadic life; its liberty and freedom
from care; It's health-giving character,
its opportunity for the study of the
changing seasons, the animals and
birds Astounding in the fields and woods;
on which occasion Frank would feel
MS pulse beat faster until he almost
yesrned to resign the feverish and tu-
multuous life of cities, aud casting
in his lot with those who dwell III tents,
never more to return to the walks Of or
binary life.
In reply to his observation that this
was her last sitting the zingari cast
down her eyes and murmured: Il am
very sorry"
''SOrry, Melltal [ can assure you that
as a general rule, the last sitting is al
ways day of rejoicing at least to
the sitter"
"But you viii 60 away, now that the
picture is inished?"
He was not certain, but he rather
fancied that he saw pearlv tear as
she spoke these words. well" he
answered, 'my stay here is coming to
an end [ must admit; but | can afford
a few more days. Come let us have
stroll" Slowly the pair walked in the
direction Of running stream near
the gypsy encampment. "Melita, |
must make you some return for your
good nature in sitting to me. What
shall I give your
The girls dark eyes flashed indig-
nantly as she raised them to those of
the speaker, and Melville beheld an
expression on those lovely features
which he lad never seen before-an
expression which warned him TO be
ware of the passionate Italian blood
which coursed in the gypsy's veins.
He therefore fastened to explain.
mot money, Melita; do not mean
that-of course not. But what is there
that you would like to have for your
picture?"
Melita grasped both his hands within
her soft, warna palms, and looking fix
eddy at him, whispered: "Give me
gotr picture, in return for mine. Then,
wren you are far away beyond the sea
in your own country, that will remind
me of these happy days and Of the
stranger who was 80 kind to me-"
II am glad that can comply with
your request at once" Melville an
swered; 'but 1 wish that you had
chosen something else. l am afraid
that my photograph Is poor recon-
pense for all your patience and kind
ness in sitting to me. See, I have
some with me in my pocketbook."
With these words, Frank took carte
from the boek and handed it to her.
Melita gazed earnestly several mo-
ments at the young Scotchman'5 hand
some hneaments-it was capital
Iikeness-and as she did so her cheek
became pale, and the hand which held
the picture trembled visibly. Then,
placing the picture in her bosom, the
Bohemian murmured: "It shall never
leave my heart!" Adding, after
cause, "Come. let US return to the
camp"
Retrscing their steps, they walked on
for some time IN silence. Melville was
by no means vain man, but of course
be was not ignorant of the fact that he
was handsome. "Can it be-" he asked