The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-09-29
A GYPSY DANCER.

the year 1743, there resided in the West
Riding of Yorkshire, England, a family Of
ancient pedigree and great wealth. This
was the family of Sir George Pasely, gen.
tleman of the old English school.
Sir George was married. though not un.
til he was already an old bachelor, but his
wife was young and lovely being, of ten
der age, compared with his own, for when
she became Lady Pasely she was but 10
years Of age. Sir George dotted on her, and
indeed she was worthy his fondest regard,
being everything in person and mind that
the heart could wish. But, alasl the de-
stroyer, death, came, and the same houl
that made him father took the gentle
mother and fond wife to her long home
Time rolled on, and the sweet child grew
daily more and more like to what her
mother was while Sir George loved her
with a deep and absorbing affection.
There was a young man, wild and
reckless spirit, that claimed to be next of
kin to the Pasely family with Sir George,
and would doubtless, from some peculiar
cause known to law, be able to establish
his right to the estates now holden by Sir
George provided he should die without is
of the little Louise Pasely was watched
with jealous care by Ernest Renwood, who
hoped one day to possess the broad Pasely
estates for his own.
Four years had passed since the birth of
Louise, who proved to be a sturdy and
beautiful child, when Renwood saw that
he must bring his designs to an issue and
not leave any longer his hopes to chance.
III ,oI %Io o1,,ts IS
adopting some expedient to rid himself of
her, for, as we have seen, she stood between
him and the rich lands he so much coveted.
He was not naturally hardened villain,
but that powerful incentive to evil, that
most thriving agent Of the evil spirit,
avarice, was goading him on to the brink
of perdition, and he was an orphan and
had been reared lacking the fostering care
and godly counsel that forewarns and fore
arms youth against the temptation of man
hood.
1t was late one mild summers night
when he came to this conclusion. He re-
called to his mind that at wild and Sc
cluded spot some two miles from the i'm
mediate neighborhood of Sir Georges
estate there Were encamped at that very
hour band of gypsies, who, he at once
conjectured, might be of service to him in
the plan proposed to execute-viz, to rid
himself of the little Louise Pasely, heiress
to the estates that he was determined to
possess.
Louise disappeared on the subsequent
night, and on the following morning,
when her absence was discovered, conster-
nation filled the hearts of all.
Twelve years, with all the changes that
80 long q period of time brings, have passed
since the loss that had SO wrung the heart
of Sir George He had grown gray, and
many a wrinkle crossed his manly brow.
A gypsy band was in the West Riding
Of Yorkshire, England, and the beautiful
danseuse Minitti and her handsome COM
panion were performing to the delighted
villagers of the country 1t did not escape
the inquisitive eyes of the spectators that
her companion, Fernando, watched with
loving eye each motion Of Minitti.
The little town in the environs of which
the gypsy band were encamped was one
day thrown ahto connection by one of the
inhabitants declaring that an article of
considerable value had been stolen from
his house. One of the inhabitants even re-
membered to have seen female of the
tribe near the door Of the house whence the
jewel was missing and was ready to make
oath that it was none other than Minitti,
the danseuse of the tribe
This was quite sufficient, and upon such
strong circumstantial evidence the beau
tiful girl was seized and rudely carried be-
fore the justice of the county for examina-
ton. In vain was all the proof offered by
the tribe as to her innocence. No court
would heed a gypsy's evidence, and the
justice was forced, though compassion was
in his heart-aye, and it beamed broadly
from his countenance, toto commit the
girl
Immediately after the Justice had pro-
nounced the sentence and the weeping
girl was about to be borne away by the
officers Of the court young man stepped
suddenly forward from the crowd and said.
while he thrust aside the rough hands that
were extended to seize Minitti:
"Stand back, if you would not have me
take your lives. The girl is innocent. I
stole the jewel. Why should you charge
this upon the gentle being, innocent and
pure-aye, purer than the best of ye? 1t is
who am guilty"
"Thoup' cried the gypsy girl "Impos-
sible, Fernandez For 1t was her COM
panion of the dance. And the gentle girl,
rejoicing to find one friend so near her in
this fearful moment, threw her arms about
his neck and wept upon his breast.
Given SO, dear Minitti," he replied
"But fear not for me. I shall soon be re-
leased again. Keep UP brave heart, dear
girl.''
AS he said these words the justice direct
ed officers to release the girl and commit
the young man to prison, glad Of an op-
portunity to clear one whom he could not
find in his heart to commit
The justice was Sir George Pasely, and
that same night, while he sat alone in his
study musing upon the examination OF
the gypsy and the singular circumstance
relating to it, servant announced that a
stranger desired to see him. He was admit
ted, and the tall, gaunt person of the gypsy
leader was before him. Sir George notion
ed him to seat.
Judge" said he at once, 1T am man
of few words. I have come here on mat
ter of business, and, with your permission,
will sneak at once to the poipt''