The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-04-03
Tne s,ypsy,s Iropnesy.

The slanting rays Of q declining sun
had already tinged the western horizon,
when Sir. John Moore, then major in
hamlet in Minonaca OF the head OF q
small detachment OF troops. Orders
were issued that the soldiers should be
quartered upon the inhabitants, whose
poor huts promised but scant comfort
and worse fare. Sir john, together
with tue officers not on immediate duty,
turned eagerly toward the only inn
which the place could boast of. Wea-
ried with q long march, it was with
some impatience he found their further
progress impeded by q large crowd col
leoted in the centre of the street, and it
was with no gentle accents he bade
them make way. Nh,
A young gypsy had been dancing to
the sound of the tambourine, and
paused suddenly at the Interruption.
Such a scene was no novelty to the
soldiers, but one and oil forgot their
.weariness and reined in their horses.
Sixteen summer sans could scarce
have tinged with q deeper brown the
natural olive Of her cheek, in which
from modestY or excitement, the rich
blood Of the south was now mantling.
Sir John looked his admiration OF the
pretty figure before him, then, turning
to the man who accompanied her, he
said: "Bring your tambourine and the
girl to the inn; you shall be we'll re-
warded." He spurred up his horse and
Was soon dismounting in front OF the
inn, whore he hoped to secure rest and
food.
The dancing in the street continued
some time after he had disappeared,
and it was not until one by one the
lockers on had left that Zaru and her
companions sought the inn. Ushered
into the pres ence Of the officers Zara
danced with as much ease and grace rs
if she had not Piled her vocation since
early morn. .,. H,
"Can you do aught else as we'll as
dancing, Zarap" asked Sir John. "Can
you, like the prophets Of old, foretell
coming events3"
t"rhat I can, Senor," she replied
quickly. "No Zingaree woman can
surpass Zara in reading the future.
Your hand, Senor."
She took the hand he offered and
examined the lines that crossed each
other.
What a frownl" exclaimed Sir
Ioohhs Aoh 1cdu uo BOOu GHeTclu.
Am I, then, to die soon?' Will it be
with or without LonorP Come; good or
bad, what is my fate2"
"rruth is not always palatablo, and
may sound harshly III yeur ears, senor,"
replied lara.
"Bahl Think you 1 place my trust
in your Idle prophecies? A broad piece
of gold shall cross your palm and may
brighten my cnance, perchance."
''Gold cannot buy fate" she replied,
quietly. "My own name is written
here.
"a happy augury, fair Zara. If you
do but read the riddle 80 pleasantly, I
must perforce bow in submission to
your power. Are you to be my bride?"
he added Iaugh1ngiy.
The girl cast quick scornful look
into the handsome face of the young
} man and said firmly:
"Didst hear that the eagle mated the
daw, tho lion with the fox, or one of
your proud lords with Zingaree? No;
no; though side by side run the streams
OF our lives, they can meyer mipgle."
"You have given me q problem to
l solve instead OF unraveling the tangled
threads of my future. l thought love
ahd marriage were always the burden
; OF gypsys story. Is there no love
, "Tbere is" she replied, with all the
fearless boldDess Of her race, .Loye
Tor one to whom you may not stoop,
and to whom your love viii prove a
, curse"
''She stands before me-" said Sir
, John. laughingly. "She speaks lightly
OF her own dishonor," he added in Eng
llsh to those about them-for till then
he had spoken i'll her own tongue.
"Darest thou name dishonor and nv
name in the same breath?' the girl
} cried, passionately. '"Thy life were
not worth little at such moment! But"
she added, changing from the angry
revengeiul tones to the free careless
manner she had previously used, .sthe
DEGREES OF fate are unalterable. A base
requtal Is foreign to thy nature, and
thou wilt owe me much. Great IN
name and fame, thou shalt vainly seek
to drown the memory OF cara, the poor
GYPSY girl"
''Do we then pa forever, Zara2"
mo. Twice It is written shall NV
presence save you; but woe, woe TO
both, when face to lace we stand for the
third time. Farewelll'
Ere Sir john could detain her she
WIS gone, and in the continued whirl of
war siio was forgotten; yet, IL cs!:;ar
moments she would haunt his memory
like the recollection of a beautiful
dream, and he found that part Of her
prophecy was true--he could not forget
Years had passed. Tho first hour
ushering in new day had Just dawned
on juno 16, 1909, when Sir John
Moore, then General of the Army j.,
Spain, stole quietly out of his tent
and strobe impatiently toward the citv
gates. Then challenge of the sentireis
was answered until the last outpost waa
passed, and he found himself on the
higk road.
"Thls strange unrest, these dark
forebodings, were better fitted for some
sick woman or love-lorn youth than one
Of my age and position" he uttered.
"Yet Zara, who has foretoid that no
harm shall reach me until once more
we stand face to face, has not appeared.
Verify hath her prophecy been fulfilled.
Her image baunts mo to-day as it did
in the days when, young and beautiful.
she vanished from my sightl Hath she
then no better clam to NV remar-