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


day after Frank Melville had first met
the Zlngari that these words were sp0k-
en-. The young scotchman was putting
the finishing touches t. q 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 look ed
upon the life.like portrayal of her won
drous beauty.
The knowledge which the young ar
tist possessed of gypsy manners and
customs had placed him on a special
footing with Melita and the other
members of the bsnd SO that they al
most regarded him as one of themselves,
and referred to matters in his presepce
which they would have carefully
stunned in the case of any other
"hous edwe ler." Melita would. some
times speak of the pleasures of her
nomadic life; its liberty and freedom
from care; its 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
mis- pulse beat faster until he almost
yearned to resign the feverish and tu-
multuous life of cities, aud casting
in his lot with those who dwell in tents.
never more to return to the walks of or
dinaIy life.
La reply to his observation that this
was her last sitting the Zinea1i cast
down her eyes and murmured: Il am
very sorry"
"Sorry, Melital can assure you that
az a general rule, the last sitting is al
ways day of rejoicing at least to
the sitter"
"But you will 60 away, now that the
picture is fnisnedf"
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 l must admit; but can afford
a few moro days. Come let us have
stroll" Slowly the pair walked in the
direction of a running stream near
the gypsy encampment. MELT,
must make you some return for your
good nature i'll sitting to me. What
shall l give your
The girls dark eyes flushed indig-
nantly as she raised therl to those of
the speaker, and Melville beheld an
expression on those lovely features
which he had never seen bsfore-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.
R"Not money, Melita; do not mean
that-of course not. But what is there
that you would like to have for your
pictHre?"
Melita grasped both his hands within
her soft, warm palms, and looking fix.
eddy st him, whispered "Give me
yonr picture, in return for mine Then,
| when you are far away beyond the sea
iii your own country, that will remind
me of these happy days and of the
stranger who was 80 kind to me-"
| am glad that can comply with
your request at once" Melville all,
swered; 'but | wish that You had
chosen something else. | am afraid
that my photograph is poor recon
pense Tor all your patience and kind
| 'ANSS ~ TWINS W tIS. pSS, n3VS
some with me In my rocketbook. F"
WITH these words, Frank took carte
from the book and handed it to her.
Meita gazed earnestly several mo-
ments ut the young Scotchman's hand.
some llneaments it was q capital
llkeness-snd rs she did SO her cheek
became pale, and the hand which held
the picture trembled visibly. Then
nlaclng the picture in her bosom, the
Bohemian murmured: "It shall never
leave my hearth Adding, after q
cause, Come, 10. us return to the
camp"
Retracing their steps, they walked on
for some time in silence. Melville was
by no means a vain man, but of c purse
he WAS not ignorant of the facs that he
was handsome. "C4n it be-" he asked
himself, "tAat this Young girl has
fallen III love with me?' Then, as he
aforementioned her warm, sensuous
nature and the violence of her passions
he shuddered. But on the other hand
he had only known her seven days
However, he deei led that it would he
best for him I, depart at once, before
any tender impression he hal unwit.
tiugly made shout sink too deeply for
her peace of mind
Melits was the first to break the 81
lence. DO you kEow why | asked
you to return to the camp" Then,
without waiting for reply, she con,
tinued: II felt that could not re.
main in safety near the water"
I'm safety near the waterl What in
the world do y ou'mean9" was her COM
psnion's astonished exclamation.
Smiling sadly, Meiita answered:
Have you never felt an almost un-
comfortable impulse-an impulse you
could not account hr-so do some
rash act-to throw yourself from some
dizzy height, or plunge into SOME rapid
stream, and thus end at once and for
ever all the cares and sorrows of this
life?"
My youthful Melita," he said, "can
soarcsly have had troubles suffici, nj
to cause her to seek relief from item
10 sudden and violent DEATH" ~
Again the Z;ngari shook her held
sadly. az know not" she said. "Bat
had l been alone ju.t now, should
have sought death In that running
etASau. 1nSuJ COSeEVlDS ler COM
panions anxious look, bright smile
isrsdisted her expressive features rs
she said; 'Butdol not be concerned,
that moment is past"
Forever, trust?' Melville gravely
asked. EEF
Eyes, forever"
They had now arrived at the camp
The startling confession to which he
had listened during the last few min-
utes had strengthened MelvIle's re.
solve to leave the place without delay,
before further unpleasant incidents oc
CURED. He would return to the vii
lage, and dispatch hssty- note to Me
lita, saying thath was unexpectedly
compelled TO leave Immediately fol-
Bologna. In this way he hoped to
avoid the awkwsrdness Of 8 personal
farewell.
Although he fsIt that such conduct
might be termed shabby after the hos
pitality he had received from the gyp-