The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-29
THE STORY.
CHAPTER 1.
THE WHITE GYPSY.


Autumn again, but two decades later
than the time indicated at the opening of
the prologue.
Ii was morning, between $50 and 6
o'clock. The sun was already well up in
the skies, and although the hour was SO
early the village OF Marsh Green and the
lanes and thoroughfares about the hamlet
showed abundant signs of life.
The bulk Of the pit men aud pit lads had
left their homes some time ago. and were
then either down one or the other of the
mines, or waiting to be "let down." but a
few later oolliers, who had perhaps been
forgotten by the ''knocker up" were still
60 be seen trudging, cans 10 hand. and Davy
lamps slung over their backs, toward the
Carsland collieries.
But If male VILLAGERS were few and far
between in the lanes females were numerous
enough. Many of the cottage doors stood
ajar. and within one could hear the sound
OF women's voices as they hustled about
preparing for the days toll. Here and there
in the green lanes one could SEQ the white
''brats" and polished clogs of the factory
girls as they jouraeyed in twoS and threes
toward Earlsford; and now and again a
pit brow lass making her way toward the
mines.
At the end of a row OF matched cottages
which stood midway in the lane that led
from MAJ sh Green TO the Carslaud pits, a
maid of the mines was standing attired for
work aud evidently awaiting the coming
of some companion. She WIS a tall, we'll
built lass, strong limbed and agile. with
comedy face that hal been tanned by ex-
posure TO all sorts of weather On the pit tor.
Presently she appeared to grow impa-
tieut, and walking to the door Of the end
cottage she tapped it with her clog, saying
/ a,little sharply:
Z 'Wakken up, Salome, lass, or we're Coin
70 be late!" The words were spoken in the
Z rich dialect os the shire, and tho girl who
uttered them was in many ways typical of
Lancashire life as one sees it near coal pits
''All right, Nell" some one cried out in
answer, I'm lie with you IN a minute
The voice OF the second speaker was low
and sweet, aud listener would have ex-
pected the girl to be as attractive as her
speech.
By and by the cottage door swung back
and Salome came out, fresh and sweet as
the autumn morning-bright aud fair 20
see as the white roses which grew at the
diamond-paned window.
lit wants a quarter 20 six yet, Nell " she
said, as her eyes met those of her friead ana
workmate; and we eau walk TO the pit in
ten minutes"
"Ah thowtit was later than that, Selonc. ~
was Nelps reply, as they turned aud went
along the lane at a swinging pace in the
direction OF the colleries, which we're
visible through the trees and over the green
fields
AS they swing along side bv side in their
picturesque attire, let mo describe the girl
whom her workmate had addressed as
Salome.
She was about 10 years Of age, was q tab,
gracefully nodded girl, with beautifully
cd srnh ~ =
and active as a wild animal, and as natural
and easy in oil her slightest movements aud
gestures. As she STROBE along with that
peculiar gliding motion which marked her
gait no one ould have passed her by with
out a glance of admiration.
But splendidly fashioned as was Sslome
Barringhams figure, her chief beauty Law
In her peerless face. The girls hair and
eyebrows were dark and glossy as a crows
back; the former being wavy and abundant
enough 70 veil her to the waist when left
unbound; while the latter were clearly de.
fined and arched like thin black crescents.
her eyes were OF the deepest shade Of
brown, but only when the light fell full
upon them could the observer see this, and
usually they appeared of the same hue as
her tresses. They were large and dreamy.
shaded by heavy white lids, fringed with
Jetty lashes. and when the lass was UNI
aroused the fire that ever slumhered in their
depths lent them a soft-an adorable
warmth.
But when excited Salome's eyes became
great stars, out of which the light seemed
to flash as the stars scinhllate on a clear
frosty night.
With such eyes and hair one would have
expected to find a complexion Of a pro
bounced brunette type. But Salomes skin
was fair and satiny as the pure unsullied
heart of a white rose. Save when her
breast was stirred by some passion, her face
was colorless as the white petal Of "a flow er.
but when agitated the blood famed in her
transparent cheeks, making of her a perfec,
type OF warm southern beauty such as Is
seen but seldom in these chilly, sear-girt
lands.
IL Salome's mouth was just the leaSt trine
large, that fault was seldom remembered
against her. because her lips were 50 wildly
painted, like a cloven damask rose aud
finely carven; while her mouth itself was
mobile and expressive. Her nose was per-
lection In its cleany chisled lines: and the
contour OF her Goft cheeks. the sweep 81 Der
foil ch:u made up face that was as strong
az 10 was charming
An artist Ia either stone or color who had
CHANGED % meet SAlome Barringham az she
ana her friend Nell CromptOu trudged ai0ag
70 their work that morning would have rev.