Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-15
and shone upon field, wood. and moor.

and shone upon field. wood, and moor. In
the camp all was br tie and excitement.
One Of the men had an old fiddle, and
could use II 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 Gordonfells 70 two hours. Close upon
midnight, Vida, wrapped from head TO foot
In cloak, came forth.
"You are late" he said. II have been
here for hours. The night has crept along"
swered, "and II 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.
The camp was reached, and a shout greeted
them. ringing far away over the fields.
Vida threw back her cloak, and glanced
OF the band Of gipsies In cold disdaln.
What has TO be DONE" she said, ''let II
be done quickly"
1T 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 over, blessing from Hecate to
be received, and then the main ceremony
was done with. Vida would have gone
then, but the gipsies cried out for dance.
1T is custom that can't be put aside, y
said Bardolph.
Come thenr' said Vida, "let US dance"
The owner Of the fiddle struck up merry
fig, and Bardolph led Vida forward.
1T Is easy" he said. Dance how you
please, only keep time"
With strange light in her eyes she be.
gan, and with infinite grace trod measure
with her gypsy husband. II was a Won
drous picture to the rude men and women
who looked on, and they stared at her as
she glided TO and fro, with her eyes fixed,
not looking at them, or Bardolph, or any
thing near, but at things seemingly fa,
away.
Il don't like it" said one Of the women,
turning aside.
1T Is like dance Of DEATH said an
other.
And the men muttered to each other that
they did not envy Bsrdolph his luck"
Even the fiddler was affected, and present
ly ceased.
Then Vida asked IL she could leave.
II must go with you little way" Bar
dolph whispered.
"Why?'
They think we are leaving together. In
another hour the whole camp will be on the
road"
Let US 60 then, in Heavens namev'
"Wlll you not say one word to them@' he
pleaded.
Not one" she answered. "why should
I? marry you, not the whole tribe"
With proud disdainful gesture she turn.
ed aside and stood waiting there while he
bade his friends adieu.
Not one wished him good fortune, and old
Hecate moaned and wrung her hands.
You have made your choice, bonnie boy"
she said, "but the night Is very dark"
Mother" he said, there Is full moon" "
1T will set soon, and never rise again up
on u.s.;
And 80 he left her wailing.
Silently he and Vida walked back through
the wood until they came to the verge of the
park.
There she paused and said,
1--WE part here"
Il suppose there IS nothing else to be
DONE" he said sullenly.
Nothing else, unless you would ruin
everything"
We'll, will bear with il this time, and
sLulk about all night like a wild beast. You
will be at the belfry by noon?'
Earlier, II can come" she said
And ere he could realise her intention she
had glided from him and was swiftly hurry
ing on.
"Ah well, my lady" he said with savage
frown, "by-and-by ] will square matters
with YOU"
For while he kept near the spot, and
waited until he had seen the light extin-
guished In her room. Then he stole quietly
back to the neighborhood of the camp.
Tbs -sipSios-were gone; the last warn
ashes OF the fire were smoulderlng, and In q
few minutes would be cold.
Bardolph looked at these signs of the re-
cent presence Of his friends, and sense OF
/ loneliness and desolation lay heavy on his
heart.
I'VE have parted" he said, mot for q
year, but for ever"
And with his head bent low he walked
slowly from the dell.