The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-10-15

bones OF the gypsy were perceptible only
because at these points the glow of her
color was richest. She was all black,
gold and scarlet, IN flesh tints, hair,
glance and dress, the clear whites of
her eyes being emphasized by their
warm hued lids and dark lashes This
little queen was probably seventeen years
old. She carried her shoulders and head
as if she felt the crown and robe which
her people of the road have never given
to any Of their sovereigns. She was slim
and perfectly shaped rather than tall.
And just noticing the stranger by an in
different turn of her eye, she said some
thing to the fortune-teller about the
chivvy and kekavi. Harrison detected
the words by which the gypsy always
tries his Philistine intruders.
lie took off his cap and bowed, stand
ing up from the stump against which his
gun leaned. lie was large and hand
some in his hunting clothes, as even the
swart fellow on the wagon tongue must
have seen.
ooh, l can rakl1er little Romany," :"
he put forth. II learned of your folks
over in New Jersey They were Coles.
camped near Camden"
The fortune-teller relaxed, the fellow
on the wagon tongue relaxed little, but
something like a ripple passed through
the teeth of their sovereign. She flashed
out her teeth in laugh, and covered
them instantly with decorous, beautiful
lips.
"Come, now, we will take you in,
Rye, said the swart young man, rising,
jocular light breaking over his face.
you've good gray tied to that tree.
Let's look at him"
''He isn't mine," said Harrison glanc-
ing toward his horse and resolving to
keep an eye thereabouts. 81 borrowed
him to hunt to-day. You see l can't
traden
MAYBE you'll buy" continued the
gypsy.
''Tute wants to pooker mandy" said
the young man, at whom the brown fell
low laughed with shout.
"Romany chals never cheat" he de-
clared." ''And Romany dyes tell true
fortunes. Don't they2' he appealed to
the queen.
"Always true" she replied, with the
sincerity of child. 1--WE know the
future by the lines in the hand"
II wish you'd look in my hand" said
Harrison, ardently.
Queen Emeretta put her own arms be-
hind her. II never yet read man s
palm. Mother Joel knows all the secrets.
Show it to her."
''Shes already looked at it, and pro-
nounced her ora Gle. She gave me good
fortune, but kept something back. l
want the queen to read my final fate. l
think 1 can bear whatever she gives me. ("
said Harrison, foolishly.
The brown fellow uttered grunt and
sauntered behind the wagon.
Queen Emeretta and the fortune
teller exchanged quick look, and
ambushed by Harrison's back, the
elder woman made some signs with
her hands. Returning thereupon to her
neglected supper, she cut the gravied
steak and gave portions to her children
and dogs, and placing huge piece upon
some bread, leaned against a stump to
chew it. Her eyes followed the stranger
and the queen with complacent amuse-
ment Once or twice she drew the back
of her hand across her mouth, perhaps to
wipe away grease, and perhaps to smooth
its twitching corners
"We must go TO one side by our
selves, 4" said Queen Emeretta, with child
ish respect of the ancient rite of fortune
telling.
"Of course, " said Harrison, enraptured
to have her lead him by the hand, She
did influence him strangely, demure and
curt though her manners were. They
were both young, however different their
races might be- both handsome and both
conscious of a peculiar freemasonry be-
tween their temperaments.
Queen Emeretta took him up to the
camp rather than aside, but no dogs or
children rolled quite to their feet, and
Harrison turned his shoulders squarely
against the gaze of several turbaned
witches.
Queen Emeretta opened her lips and
breathed half audibly before beginning
his fortune. Without releasing his right
hand from her he felt in a special pocket
with his left, and got a piece of gold to
press against her palm. 1t seemed a sac
riligious thing to do. She stood like a
divine young oracle, her presence fra
grant with the scent of fern, in spite of
all the camps i'll odor.
Her palm received the money, and she
dropped it into her pocket as if that
were part of the process, not with the
greedy and satisfied scrutiny the fat
woman had given his silver. And then
she bent her head, turning her inner
hand toward the light.
You were born to be lucky" muir
INJURED the young queen.
l. :. T..
ing the fleece of black ringlets not far
from his own face.
So far you have lived happy life
with very little care. You had plenty of
money, but all your care was to have
money to have good time with"
'True as gospel"
"Your lifeline shows that you will
live long, and enjoy great happiness
Here are some crosses
Yes, I've had my crosses" con
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