Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-05-30

with unalloyed pleasure to the musical
efforts of Orlando on the violin; at the
same time he observed the effect of the
wierd Instrumentation on the eloquent
features of the Bohemian girl, which
seemed to reflect all the varying emo
tions of the player. - >
Suddenly it occurred to him that the
lovely Melita in her national costume
would form an admirable subject for q
water color sketch. Turning to Orlan-
do, he inquired if he might come on the
following morning to the camp and take
sketch of his sister. Melita overheard
the whispered request, and her dusky
cheek for a moment deepened with graf
tied vanity as she snillngly assented to
the inquiriDg glance of her brother.
When about to depart, Frank heard
with some surprise that he was only a
couple of miles from Montrosa, 60 con.
fused had been his attempts to find his
way through the labyrinth of trees. Or
lando volunteered to conduct him to the
outskirts of the wood; and, accepting
the offer, he babe adieu to the lovely
Melita. During Orlando's brief escort,
Melville spoke little, for before his
minds eye was the eloquent glance of
the gypsy girl. Even during the fitful
watches Of the night and in his disturb
ed dreams Melita's face appeared again
aud again; and it was with unrefreshed
sensations that the artist beheld the
morning sun shining through the win
dows of the inn.
"This is your last sitting. Melita. p
1t was on the morning of the seventh
day after Frank Melville had first mot
the ZDgari that these words were
spoken. The young Scotcbman was
putting the last flushing touches to q
large water-color representing Melita as
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-llke portrayal of her WON
drous beauty.
The knowledge that the young artist
possessed of gypsy manners and customs
had placed him on a special footing with
Melita ard the other members of the
band, go that they almost regarded him
as Que 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 sometimes speak of the pleasure
of her nomadic life; it's liberty and free
dom from care, its health-giving char
acter, 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 his
pulse beat faster and faster, until he al
most yearned to resign tie feverieh and
tumultuous life of cities, and, casting in
his lot with those who dwell in tents,
never more to return to tue walks of or
binary life.
In reply to his observation that this
was her last sitting, the Zingari cast
down her eyes. and murmured, II am
very sorry"
that, as a general rule, the last sitting
is always day of rejoicing-at least TO
the SITTER
"But you will go away now that the
picture is finished ?"
He was not certain but he rather fan
cied that he saw pearly tear as she
spoke these words. "Well," he an
swered, my stay here is coming to an
end, must admit; but l can afford q
few more days. Come, let us have q
stroll" Slowly the pair walked in tho
direction of running stream near the
gypsy encampment. 'tMelita, must
make you some return for your good
nature in sitting to me. What shall I
give your
The girls dark eyes flashed indignant
~ as she raised them to those of the
speaker, and Melville beheld an express
sion on these lovely features which he
had never seen before-an expression
which warned him to beware of the pas
sionate Italian blood which coursed in
the gypsy's veins. He therefore hast.
ened to explain.
"Not money, Melita; do not mean
that-of course not. But what is there
ture q
Melita grasped both his tauds within
her soft warm palms, and looking fxedly
at Lin, whispered: "Give me your
picture IN return for mine. Then, whe1
you arc far away beyond the sea in you
own country, that will remind me O
these happy days, and of the stranger
who was SO kind to me-
Il am glad that I eau comply will
your request atonce," Melville answered
tbut wish that you had chosen some.
thing else. am afraid my photograph
is a poor recompense for al your pa
tience and kindness in sitting to me
See I have some with me in my pocket
book" With these words Frank took {
carte from the book and handed 1T t
l her.
Meita gazed earnestly several mo
ments at the young Scotcbman's hand
some lineaments-it was capital like
ness-and as she did so her cheek be
came pale, and the hand which held thu
picture trembled visibly. Then plac
ing the picture in her bosom, the Bo
hemian murmured: eft shall never
leave my hearth Adding, after pause
"Come, let us return to the camp"
Retracing their steps, they walked o.
for some moments in silence. Melvill,
was by no means vain man, but o
course he was not ignorant of the fac
that he was handsome. An unpleasan
suspicion crossed his mind. "Can it be,
he asked himself, "tbat this young CIR
has fallen in love with me?" Then a
he remembered her warm, sensuous ma
ture and the violence of her passions, b.
shuddered. But on the other hand hi
had only known her seven days. How
ever, he decided that it would be hes
for him to depart at once, before an,
tender impression he had unwittingl,
made should sink too deeply for he
peace of mind.
Melita was the first to break tn
silence. "Do you know why Task 20,
to return 10 the camp?" Then, without
waiting for reply, she continued: ."
felt that I could not remain in safet.
near. the water e.. -. ~. s.,
"In safety near the water! What il
the world do. You mean - was her com
panion's astonished exclamation.
Smiling sadly, Melita answered
"Have you never felt an almost uncon
trollable impulse-an impulse you coul'
not account for-to do some rash act
to throw yourself from some dizz
height, or plunge into some rapi'
stream, and thus end at once and forey
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