The record-union., 1894-04-07

huceLIa IL uOG go WI ye, bOD StdH-
ley" almost shrieked the Fall woman to
the tinker.
"Lucetta's my darter. Mistress Fall.
She'll not bide wiz other.'
She's nay dead sisters child, an l
warn ye she'll bide u tn end o. her days
VII her own blood, Bob Stanley"
"Cetta-Cettar' shouted the tinker
sternly. "'Ere quick! am VII yer own
tongue say whether yell go or biden'
There was no response to his oGtcry
save the taunts of the women before him.
He started towards the tent where she
slept at night with the other women, but
score of gypsy men instantly confronted
him.
Not so fast, Bob; not so fast" said
Chief Reynolds, who was at their head.
go ye back to yer tent"
No gypsy ever Gisobeys the leader of a
band IN the most trltiing particular; and
Bob was at bay, his daughter restrained
In her tent and himself confronted by
overwhelming numbers, which gypsy
instinct and tradition told him meant far
deadiier outcome than ostraclsm, should
he attempt single handed to dispute it.
Hi asks yer pard'n, chief,' said Bob,
humbly, but an whatever does it all
mean?'
Jess this. Bob" replied the chief
kindly enough. you hasn't any wife
no more"
mo, no, no. sighed the poor fellow
with quaver OF real grief in his tone.
''God knows war Cetta's mother livin',
no sech sorrer as this ID comet"
AM you," continued Reynolds quiz
city, aren't th' natral carer fur young
gal. Mrs. Fall, her aunt, is. Things has
been goin' on wrong, Bob, fur years.
'Twus you as brought that writer teller
first t camp. Ee ups an falls in love WI
Gotta, an you, a komany, STAINS by an
sees it. l warned We long ago, Bob. Yer
dead wife's sister warned ye. Hus all
warned Gotta. Then Gotta, spite o. all,
ups am falls in love VII ee. Ter Gorgio
friend, Ted Northup's good eDutf in his
place, but his place aren't VII gypsies,
Bob. Wen Hi forbid i'm tn camp, ee
KEEP follerin'. Hus moved camp nigh
dozen times on count o. jess this 'ere
trouble. There's been bloodshed al
ready, an your friend almost killed
though hus doan't know who done it
an Cetta's been slippin' out O. camp, an
leavin' palterans trails; preconcerted in
dications 10 one following as to the direc-
ton gypsy band has taken) an SIGH; am
last night nus found that writin' nigh
Cetta's tent. Now, Bob. hus doan't want
no trouble, but you must take yer cart
an tent an wheel an 60. Besides,
Cetta's bespoke"
spoke?" gasped the bewildered tinker
imploringIy.
Yes, Bob; bespoke to Jem."
"Jem Boswellp' The old fellow stood
there the embodiment of scornful hate.
He leaned far forward as though he would
spring through the group of men and his
trem bling finger pointed menacingly to-
ward swarthy, hulking gypsy who
skulked grinningly behind. "Not-not
that dog, tor my poor, poor Cettan'
''As Hi was a sayin', hus wants no
trouble, an ye better be goin', Bob"
returned Reynolds kindly. "What hus
as decided is gypsy law, an as good as
done, ye Knows"
Let me see Cetta-jess once, Chief"
begged the tinker. LET me know wiz
nv own eyes am ears as Gotta wants t.
bide?'
There was whispered consultation be-
tween the women and the Chief, where
upon the former disappeared.
''No 'arm in that, Bob. Illus can let
you see for yourself" replied the Chief
soothingly.
The women shortly returned dragging
with them . shalf-clad gypsy girl, hlling
her ears as they came with the direSt
threats and commands.
Still holding her by her arms they
brought her between the Chief and the
tinker, but kept her carefully at little
distance from the latter. Her long black
hair fell in unkempt ringlets about her
shoulders and shapely neck; her lustrous
black eyes were dItnned with tears, and
her round. fine face was aShen from ter
ror and grief.
Bob Stanley's tones were enough to
bavemelted their unyIelding hearts as he
besitatingly began:
''Cetta, child, look up in yer fathers
face"
ewes instantly tell as the clutching gypsy
fingers frightened upon her wrists.
"Cetta, darter, did yer father ever speak
aught but kind am lovin' words t. We in
ali YER hvin' days"
"Never! This, with a sob, from the
"Didn't Bob Stanley nuss ye like a
babby, am keer fur ye like yer own dead
mother that's gomez"
"Oh, yes, yes. yes-alwaysW
s.D'ye know, Gotta, that Pm t. go
away"
1t seemed, for moment, that the girl
would break from those who held her,
and. despite them all. leap to her fathers
outstretched arms. But the women about
her clamored and whispered and she
dared not move.
"Yes, father. Pve been told"
AN We still wish 7 bide VII tn band?"
"It's lest; it's best! Oh, father, it's
BEST"
IAN ye're bespoke t. Jem Boswell. he
as nearly murdered my friend-y0ur
friend. as loves We, Ted Northup?''
She cried out at this though from
some deadly hurt, and would have fallen
had not the old hags at her side supported
As he helplessly looked on her agony
and knew his own, something dimmed
his ewes. perhaps the wind tossing his
craving locks before them for moment,
so that he could not see. He turned to
his little hooded tent, leaned upon its
hickory bow and sobbed convulsively.
When he had recovered Lucetta and the
uon,an were gone. Half bewildered he
oazed around upon all the dear and ia
niliar things of the roadside camp.
"Hns'll 'elp ye bit," said the Chief
compassionately.
The old tinker offered his hand to the
Chief VINO took it heartily.
"t,bief.', said Bob busllily, gypsy law
is gvnsv law. Hill abide it. Hive
nuthin' agin We. But Whenever has meets
aoiu.D pointing to Jem Boswell. who was
hastily disappearing among the trees and
wagons, "thar'n be one less Romany
a-travelin' tn summer roads.'
BE We satisfied o. Cetta?'' asked the
Chief anxiously.
ION. ave. satisfied; satisfied. but not as
We means it.
Under the direction of the Chief the
gypsy men began gathering the tinker
belongings together. They did this ST.
lently, but with now and then plying
look upon their dazed comrade, who
Hstlessly saw what was being done with
out apparent power to hinder or to aid.