The Forrest City times., 1892-05-13
VIDA'S REVENGE,
CHAPTER VII. n.-eoNTrxuED.
,er," he said breathlessly.

i've are to be married here to-morrow night"
 'So, my bonnie boy-ah, she is beautifu,., murmured the old woman"
 'She is a rare gem of a woman.- he said "rd rather live with her week. than rass lifetime with any other woman knov.Y
 You have made your choice" said He cate, holding up a trembling finger. s,so dld your mother before you"
 What do you mean? What has my mo.h. CT to do with itg'' he asked.
 Evil came of her union with tilo bouso. dweler," answered the cd bag.
 "That's all nonsense: evil comes any way" he said. ''I'l take her and risk it,v "She will not dwell w,ti us"
 No matter"
 "Did you ask her?'
 "I did" he replied with the lie ready to his lips. 'I begged of her to think of the love you bore me-"
 That was right, my bonnie boy"
 "But she would not For year we shall live away, and then in some other spot far away we will come to you"
 "A year is long time, Bardolph. am getting old"
 You will live for many years" he urged. ''and you must spare me for year to make my life happy one. My wife will bring beauty and m0ney among our people"
 No good ever came of mixing the blood said Hecate. rocking herself 10 and fro. "Why could you not fall in love with one of our own girls? they are bright and bonnie. they are brave at telling fortunes they have ready fingers, and you need not work and would never want"
 Mother" he said. 'J have chosen: let filings be as they are"
 ''Well, it shall be sD," she said. ''To-mor. row night. you sayp'
 Aye, that is the time; and as soon as the wedding is over you must strike your tents and move on."
 Tt shall be done. murmured the old wo- man, but do not like it. Evil came of your mothers love for the house-dweller- evil, eyilr'
 Bardolph glanced at her impatiently, and the old woman mumbled on:
 For years we prospered at nothing, dis ease ravaged us, the law scourged us, the house-dwellers were bitter against us, and know who set them OH. It was your father "a curse on the day that We first saw him P
 When she got upon this theme, Bardolph knew that she would go on musing for hours, needless of all around her, so he rose up eaietly and joined the band around the fire.
 When he gave his own version of the vic tory he had obtained, and bid his friends prepare for the coming wedding, laughter and coarse jests abounded, and the men drank and smoked far into the night ' At length all but Bardolph were asleep, and he lay in his own tent dreaming of the Joyous life in store for him. He cared nothing for his people and had long grown tired of old Hecate's maunder- Ing over him, although he had ever been 1ereful to conceal his weariness. A new Existence was open to him.
 [ ''I shall have money, fine clothes, and live the life of gentleman" he thought exult- hgly, "and l shall have a woman at my side that all men will long for It will be brave living"
 It was within measurable distance: only one day more of his present life, and then he would be free of all the dirty miserable burroundings of his nomadic existence. For very joy he could have leapt and ssouted his loudest.
 He rose early, and stole quietly to the shrubbery in the park, and crouehlng there watched for signs of Vida at her window, and was rewarded, after hours of waiting, by seeing her open the lattice.
 Then he went back to the gipsies' camp, but was soon out again, and so went to and fro throughout the day.
 Night at last, clear and bright. It was dark until eight o'clock, when the moon rose and shone upon field, wood, and moor. In the camp all was hustle and excitement.
 One of the men had an old fiddle, and could use it well enough in his way. He could play some score jigs and lively tunes, and at an early hour began.
 The women danced with their children, and the men lay on the turf smoking. He- cate. looking on with her bleared eyes, en- couraged them now and then with croak.
 Bardolph went early to meet his bride, and walked up and down impatiently out side G0rdonfels for two hours. Close upon midnight Vida, wrapped from head to loot in cloak, came forth.
 "You are late" he said. T have been here for hours. The night has erept along.'
 'I could not get away before" she an- ewered. "and it was foolish of you to come. Let us hasten away"
 He would have taken her hand to lead her through the wood. but she kept them wrapped up. and silently they hurried on.
 
 them, ringing far away over the fields.
 Vida threw back her cloak, and glanced at the band of gipsies in cold disdan.
 What has to be done" she said, ''let 1t be done quickly"
 Tt will soon be over" whispered Bar dolph, but she neither looked at nor answer ed him.
 Two sticks, in the form of a cross, had to be stepped oyer, a blessing from Heeate to be received, and then the main ceremony was done with. Vida would have gone then, but the gipsies cried out for dance.
 Tt is custom that can't be put aside" said Bardolph.
 Come then.' said Vida, "iet us dance.'
 The owner of the fiddle struck up merry Jig, and Bardolph led Vida forward.
 Ut is easy" he said. Dance how you please. only keep time"
 With a strange light in her eyes she be- gan and with infinite grace trod measure with her gipsy husband. It was won drous picture to the rude men and women who looked on. and they stared at her as she glidea to and fro, with her eyes fixed, not looking at them, or Bardolph, or any thing near. but at things seemingly Tar away.
 T don't like it," said one of the women, turning aside
 .Iti like dance of death," said an other.
 And the men muttered to each other that they did not envy Bardolph his luck.
 Even the fiddler was affected, and present. ly ceased.
 Then Vida asked if she could leave.
 'I must go with you a little way Bar