The record-union., 1894-06-23
SACRAMENTO DAILY RECoRD-UNIoN SATURDAY JUNE

"Over there, Loretta" the Professor
replied pointing with his bow to the
eastward, thousands of miles beyond the
Boston lights.p
She laid her fair head in the palms of
her hands and sat there silently weaving
herself to and fro for little time. Fer
haps the gypsy girl heard again the
Yorkshire throstles sweetly singing in
the hedge and listened to the murinurs OF
the Wharfe as it softly flowed to the sea.
She finally turned to the musician and
said, as ii her heart could hold 1t no
longer:
"Poppett, 1 wants to go wire there's
books an music an all seech bright
thingsW
with me, Loretta?"
1t came in a trem bling whisper from
the musicians lips. 1t was the most
daring thing the Professor had ever
said.
mo, Poppett; with-with Matthew"
Something came into the Professor S
eyes which, for moment, shut all the
world out and left everything blank to
him. He had heard the story of Matthew
from kindly old Ljjah. The violin
moaned a little for its master and Nose
grew restless, but finally the musician
1Gitered:
And if Matthew never cames?"
Then, Poppett. with you, sure, surer'
Inc dogs sympathetic and expressive
tail never wagged so boisterously be-
fore, and if dog ever did such thing,
like the ''old man" of the plays, he
surely said
God bless you, my childrenw
An hour later there was pleasant COM
motion at the outskirts of the camp. y
party OF gypsy friends, who were to ac-
company the band Oh its southwark Jour
ney, had arrived. Among the vans was one
OF beautiful design and decoration drawn
pY handsome pair of horses. These are
delghtS TO gypsy eyes, and horses and
van were instantly surrounded by garru-
lous men, so occupied in their interest
and admiration that it's driver for the
time escaped observation.
Ihe latter, young gypsy OF, perhaps,
~ years of age. Needless OF the crowd
about him, sprang from his seat and dis
appeared with bound in the direction
OF the tents.
Is yon chal Gypsy fellow one Of your
kinH' asked the leader OF the arriving
party of the chief.
NO, brother, not hus knows. Thought
he wuz kith o. yourn. Do any 'ere know
'im?'
Inere was no answer, but general air
OF concern settled upon the gypsies as
they turned and watched the tawny fell
open space between the tents.
lie fell in VII hus jess arter noon.
Said he wuz comm 'ere, am we logged
on together. He's tatchi Romany, sure;
but bit range i th' mort "a tritle DAFT,
nus tbinkin'. He rokkered talked,
chattered) O. naught but Loretta, racklie,
a. th' arternoonn'
AT that moment there was hustle and
confusion among the women OF the band.
The flying gypsy had aroused them.
Shrill eXclamatlonS were heard on every
hand with 'Save u.s." and Its th' naw-
ken's ghost!"
But the ear of love is true and not
affrighted.
Loretta. leaping from her tent door
sped like the wind toward the daring
stranger. AS he clasped her in his arms
and pointed, with unutterable pride to
his matchless gypsy van-home, the girl
cried out exultantly:
He's come at lastI God 'elp hus!-its s
Matthew"
over beside little tent among the
shadows Professor Poppett was standing
white and silent. He had seen the raptu-
rous meeting. He knew all that it meant
to them and to him. With one hand he
grasped the tentbow for moments sup
port. The other he raised as if in bene-
dlctlon. Finally he placed the old violin
In It's worn and ragged sack.
Come. Mose," he said quietly, "don't
you see the curtains down again? It's
time to gop'
And pilgrims still, out into the night
they again took to the road together.