Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-04-20

| Frank Melville was a man of pramp
action. Within an hour he was on hi
return to the inn, he had left the vii
lage OF Montcrosa, FIRST dispatcting
brief note to Melits, telling her thai
urgent business called him away, anc
regretting the necessity fer his sudder
departure. He then took up his quar
ters at small village about twent,
miles from his former hating place
and determined to rem ain there for Q
day or two, until he had decided or
his future plans. He felt more de.
pressed than he had thought possible
in consequence of parting from the
charming Zngari. In vain did he en-
deavor by writing, reading and sketch
ing to Danish her image from his
thoughts. Wherever he went or what
ever he did, the gypsy girls face was
always before him.
On the evening of the third day af.
ter he had left Monterosa he was seat.
ed in the little pallor of the village inn.
He had hired two rooms, his bed room
beng Immediately behind the sitting.
room, and both on the ground floor.
The landlord entered ard said visitor
wished to see him. While Frank was
wondering who it could be, step was
heard In the passage, and a young
gypsy brushed past the landlord and
confronted his guest. It was Orlando!
His swarthy countenance wore an ex-
preston of bi ter vindictiveness.
Melville held out his hand and ut
tered q welcome in the gypsy language
But Orlando took no notice of the out
stretched hand or the young Scotch
mans salutation. His left hand play ed
nervously with long bright knife
which was loosely stuck in his belt
"Where is Melita?" 2
The words were uttered in an intense
whisper, the while his coal-black eyes,
lurid with some hidden emotion, were
fixed on Melville as if he would read
his Utmost thoughts.
'Melital Is she not with you2 |
have not seen her since 1 left tie
camp"
The gypsy paused. Then he asked
"la that the truth?'
Melville sprang 10 his feet, his face
ahame with anger. eff you were not
Melita brother / would throw you out
OF the window" was his passionate ex-
cldmation. .- 49, .......s- ~. "a
Again the gypsy paused perfectly
unmoved 10y the angry reply. He had
never lifted his piercing eyes from
Melville's face during the interview.
Apparently satisfied, be nov extended
his hand and said; 81 believe YOU"
"But stay Orlando" Melville replied.
Tel me what has happened? Where
is Melita?"
Il only know that she left the camp
directly she received your letter."
And where are you going now?D
"To find her, if / cam" sullenly re-
piled Orlando, as he strobe RAPIDLY
from. the room, leaving Frank a prey
to the most torturing suspense and
anxiety. But this was not of long dura
ton. AS he sat by the window musipg
on the strangeness of the girls sudden
disappearance, the shadow of q human
figure was projec' ed upon the news
paper which lay UNDECIDED at mis- feet,
Looking up, no bsheld Melital Hasten
ing to the door, he opentd it, and led
her into the room.
Have you seen your brother Orlan-
do?" he asked. = s.se
"Orlando here?" came in accents
tremulous with fear from the girls
white lips, as she slowly sank into
Melvllle's arms in half fainting coz
dition. Speedily covering herself
however, she darted an aporehens i've
glance toward the door, and said: 'Ti
he finds me here he vii. kill you'll
Calm yourself-don't be alarmed
Melita, no harm shall happen"
"Ah, you know not Orlando's nature
Forgive me for coming to you, but
longed so much to see you'll felt that
l must see you or diel You know you
premisl Cd to come again to the CAMP
IL know | did, Meiita; but acted al
| thought for the best. wished tt
spare US both the pain of a parting"
A faint, gratified smile broke owe
the wan features of the gypsy as Mel
vile uttered the word "both.i
but you appear fatlgued," he con
tluued. Il fear you are ILL., You can tel
| me another time-to- morrow-hoy
| you found me. Meantime. will rims
the bell for the servant She will con
duct you to a room where you can ge
some rest, of which you asst be mucl
in need. | have no fear of your brother
He Is hard ~ likely to come again t.
the same place. He ia doubtless mile
away by this time, searching for YOU.
The Zlngari turned pie I'd ing AM
timorous look on Melville. "You ar
not angry with mel. did SO wish t,
see your The mex LIS tant an aImos
angry husn spread over her beautiful
lace. "0l, why did you come to Ih
camp2 | was happy till you camel" A
pas siSnate flood of tears, the violenc
of which shook her slen Ter figure Xix,
a wind tossed willow, served somewha
to relieve her excited feelings. Then
as deep blush suffused her face an,
neck, she exclaimed eagerly: "Coult
L not go with you as your servaut-you
slav, anything rather than remain
here? | dare / OF return to the tribe
| Suddenly, as she spoke, her watch
ful ear detected the sound of cautiou
footsteps on the gravel path beneath
the window, and in another moment
man had entered the room.
1t - Orb MA. With look o. fiend 81
hate upon his grim and pallld visage
he dasnes himself upon Melville, an,
the dagger which cutters in his RICH
hand has come down with deadly effec
and in another moment the assassin
is gone.
A piercing Shrek ran through tn,
house, and as the frightened inmates
entered the chambe they bebeld the lif,
less body of the hapless gypsy girl il
the arms OF Melville. She had cast her
self between her brother and his victim