The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-12-25
permission will speak at once to the

sTwelve years ago." continued the
gypsy, "you lost a child"
The old man sprang like an infurl-
ated animal upon the person OF the gyp-
sy, and, Selling him by the throat had
nearly thrown him upon the f1oor pc
fore the gypsy sufficiently recovered
himself to release his neck from Sir
Georges grasp. =.
"Stay," said the gypsy, casting on
the Justice with am ease that showed
at once his superior physical power,
and with degree of composure that
proved him to be no stranger to scenes
of personal conflict, mo power ON earth
can make me speak unless L choose.
Now, deal with me like a man, and l
will do so; resort to force, and L am
dumb forever"
"Speak, them" said the old man,
trembling in every limb, "speak-what
of my child?"
'sAs said before, this is purely a
matter of business on my part, con-
tinued the gypsy. evil you give me
e 500 if will return your daughter to
you?"
Without a word further Sir George
drew bill upon his banker for the
amount specified, saying to the gypsy
as he exhibited the draft, honestly
drawn and filled up:
"Now, sir, speak, and if you give me
faithful intelligence upon your honor
the draft and money shall be yours"
Enough. I am satisfied. Now, Sir
George, the girl that was tried before
you to-day charged with theft, is thy
daughter"
"My God!" exclaimed the agitated
parent, scarcely able to, contain him
self, ''bring her to me at once"
''Stay, SIR" continued the gypsy,
"first let me explain to you my own
agency in the affair"
mo matter, no matter, forgive you
bring me my child"
"But I ask no forgiveness; first let
me explain. learned this secret in
a Distant land, from a man who had
been paid to destroy your child, but
who, taking a fancy to her, preferred
to save her life, and adopted her. When
I learned this from him he was on his
deathbed. I promised him to bring her to
you. have done so, and now only de-
mand payment for my expenses"
At the expiration of an hour, during
which Sir George could hardly con-
quer his Impotence, Minitti, the lovely
danseuse, entered Sir Georges apart
ment, and was at once clasped in his
arms.
ooh, heaven!" said the father, while
he alternately pressed her to his heart,
and held her from him, that he might
see more clearly her womanly perfec-
tions, 81 thank thee for at last return
ing her to me so beautiful, so gentle,
so lovely, aye, so pure; there can be
no guile OF deceit in that face" and
Sir George was almost beside himself
with joy and delight. louise" said
he, the tears streaming from his eyes,
"dear, dear Louise
81 do remember that name," said she,
musing, sit comes over me- like a
dream, long, long forgotten
"Ah, my child" said Sir George
Nothing on earth shall again separate
us from each other
"But, father, dear father said
Louise, bewildered and over-happy,
"will you release Fernandez
"Aye, at once. The brave fellow who
would have saved thee at the expense OF
his own liberty shall be suitably re-
warded."
AS he spoke he wrote an order for
his immediate release, which was dis
patched forthwith by servant, with
directions to bring the gypsy to Sir
Georges apartment. In the meantime
Louise's early history was crowded
upon her astonished ears, almost in a
single breath.
Fernando came at last, little dream
ing OF the denouement that was await
ing him. He was surprised to find
Mlnltti in the company of Sir George
and at once rightly coniectured that
his release was owing to her interces.
sion, but his establishment was beyond
description when the true position of
the matter was explained to him. Sud.
denly he became sad, and a tear even
trembled in his handsome eve, when
the justice asked:
What grieves you, my friend?"
ITO realize, sir, that Minitti's findino
a father must be the cause of our sep.
aration."
"How so, sir?"
Would one of your blood and stand.
ing in the world marry child to one OF
the prescribed racer
aye" said the justice, "Louise sbould
be yours if you-were the-the-I won't
exactly say what, after the proofs of af-
lection you have shown her."
Fernando pressed the fearful girl to
his breast saying:
Dear Louise, blessed be the power
that overrules us ALL
Dear Fernando, how happy we shall
be now, with every opportunity for i'm
provement and all the fine things vol,
have taught me, to read, to write. and
everything. lean improve them ALL"
I'VE will, indeed" replied Fernando.
Then, turning to the justice, he said:
The trial is passed, and now 1, too, will
speak. One year since 1 made a VOW on
quitting my studies that would seek a
wife who should love me for myself
alone. Being of noble birth-nay. start
not. it is true-I assumed these rustic
garments, and determined to wear them
until | found heart and proved il
worthy of my love. 1 saw Louise as a
gypsy. loved her at once, yet deter
mined to keep my oath. I tested her
affection in every reasonable way, and
learned to love her for her purity of
mind, as well as her extraordinary