The Penn's Grove record., 1888-09-15
THE Gypsy.

IL was a lovely scene, tnaC gathering
of the wandering tribe of gipsies, just
at the foot OF the hill, where a few
giant trees gave them shade. and a
laughing little stream supplied them
| with water.
The campfire burned redly in the
afternoon light, tapping the black pot
suspended above until its contents
dubbed, as dubbed the strange col
tents of caldrons over which witch
faces bent in the daTkened ages when
spells and superstitions ruled the
world.
Half a dozen horses were tethered
among the shadows, a couple Of covered
wagons were drawn under the trees;
| were playing, aud nea them some dark,
brigandish- docking men were having a
game at cards.
But the queen or the company the
reader of the stars, the one who pro-
fessed to foretell, stood, tall and dark
and naughty as an Ethiopian princess,
facing a very lovely girl. who vas talk
ing eagerly. And this girl was no
giysy, but a fair, stately, aZure-eyed
beauty, with sunny hair and crimson
lips, and much of "a swans grace in her
movements. In short, the tribe had
camped on Mr.. Gerald Howell's laud,
and this was his niece who was in sLch
earnest conversation with Gypsy Madge.
"You swear that if l do this thing
for you, my people will not be dis
tuI bel here?" tie woman questioned.
some of our children is i'll; we cannot
proceed for a time. If l do this for
you, we will remain here unmolestedr"
ST promise that; and I also promise
to send wine and broth for the sick
child. But will you remember"
81 never forget!' was the naughty
answer.
Then the piercing, dark eyes looked
closely at the girls dainty face, and
perhaps there was a touch of scorn in
| them.
SIT is not the way to win a lover,
lady," she said, calmly.
Miss Eleanor Howell flushed angrily,
and her blue eyes flashed.
pray fulfill your part of the COM
pact, and spare me your comments"
she said. my cousin will be here
within an hour.
And she turned away.
The woma looked after her with
scornful eyes.
"Despised as we are, no gypsy mai
den would stoop as stoops yonder fair
beautyI" she mutterad. And L have
promised to deceive some girl, who
comes to me within an hour. Why
should 1 not? They scorn us and hunt
us from place to place; why should /
not secure a week of peace here by the
telling of a lie7 My people are called
liars and vagabonds. For little Rosa's
take, l must do as she babe me; and
why not?"
The shadows slanted, clustered, then
nelted before tie moonbeams, aud
Madge, leaving the wagon in which the
child was babbling IN delirium, pro-
duced by fever, saw two figures cross
ing the open space before the fire.
She went forward to meet them, her
great eyes fastened on the face of the
girl, which was clearly revealed to her
by the combined light of fire and
moon.
"Good eveningl' she said, slowly.
the future? Then let your companion
5lduu dSIut. NHdG L nave W kcll yOu,
no other ears shall hear"
sit was a pretty, pIquant face which
eushed under Gypsy Madge's gloomy
eyes-a sweet, inpulsive face, with
childhood yet upon it.
"How did you know my purpose in
comingr" she asked. "But you are
right; / want you to tell me my for
tune. Win you mind waiting for me
yonder, Kenneth?''-to her escort.
The gentleman turned, laughingly,
to the woman.
"Be sure You tell her of Il faithful
lover" he said, lightly.
The dark eyes shot him a piercing
glance.
"Or a faithless one" she said, coldly,
drawing the girl away.
Half an hour later, pretty Berta went
back to where he awaited her, and he
saw that she was very pale.
He drew her hand through his arm,
and they turned from the camp.
elias she frightened your" he whis-
pered, tenderly. "Do not look so
white, my darling; 1t paines me exceed.
ingly. Did she predict sorrow for you,
dearP"
His look was such as men turn on
their dearest-tLose between whom
and sorrow their own hearts are sure
to beat; but the girl did not sac 1t,