The Monticellonian., 1903-09-03

h 4 GAIN. Leah! The gentlemen
 A wish it"
 "Blt am so tired, mamma.
 '.Yes, yes. But see all the pennies. Once more and I will get thee a red scarf"
 And so, inspired by that promise, the little gypsy again broke into the strange fantastic dance, her tiny feet in perfect step, and time to the thrum, thrum Of the mothers old guitar. Light as this tie down, she glided to and fro over the rough ground. the gypsies in their ragged, yet artistic, garb forming pie turesque background for the beautifully gowned women and their rich escorts, who crowded about the little dancer.
 To the casual observer the child was an enigma, seeming to possess two na- lures in one. while. to the keener mind. the solution was found as one turned from the sweet, pure face of the mother to the father. handsome, yet crafty. The elfin child was in fact the fitting issue of so strange union.
 As the visitors left the camp, the fa- ther in reply to sign from one of the 1OilOWtu lO d tuI II Ol lhC road, where, the dingy tents, no longer visible, the gentleman, bidding the rest of the party drive on, called the man to him."
 .'The child is yours?" he inquired.
 Mine"
 "How old is she?"
 ''Six years"
 ''Who taught her to dance and sing?" Hike me she dance, the song come from the mother"
 "Ah! So thought. And she resem- bles you both?"
 Why you ask?"
 Because l desire to know. Come tell me all: you will not lose by it. commanded the gentleman. using, as he believed, the strongest persuasion.
 Listen Before Leah born the moth CT love me much. One day the queen tell her something I want her not to know. When I come home she turn from me. Do not touch me. hate you, she said; the queen tell me all. and laugh and say: 'Ah. so the queen talk; some day she talk no more-but do not hate me or your child be like me. And again laugh. and that night the queen die and Leah born.
 Half love, half hate is Leah; that way she be till die The stars have told it. When I die she be like the mother always. Till then she be as you see her now, para heaven. part hell"
 AS the gypsy cessed speaking the gen. tleman turned towards him with an ex- pression of decision: Would you like to sell your daughter?"
 Sell herr" returned the man.
 '.Yes, sell her. You need money"
 ''Yes, much. But the mother need Leah; it kill her to lose her.
 Well. don't tell her: steal her away She'll get over 1t in time''
 No, never, never" answered the gypsy. shaking his head.
 Look here!" commanded the gen. tleman. tonight after all are asleep bring Leah to me; you know the place. I will have paper for you to sign re- Hnquishing all right to the child, and in return I give you s1 ,000."
 ''One thousand dollars?" echoed the man in low, half-doubting tone.
 les, Sl,oUV, IL d iOI or money.
 "Yes, lot," the man hesitated. With 1t he knew he could be chief of the tribe. a position he had long coveted And yet he felt it would kill the mother.
 "Well?" interrogatively
 'Yes. I bring her tonight It be as you say. l promise" And the gypsy turned back to the little camp.
 Shortly after midnight man with a child closely clasped in his arms walked hurriedly along one of the great boule- wards of the city. AS he neared a hand some residence, in the window of which soft light burned, he paused, then creeping softly to a side door, he gave low knock; the door opened and the man with the child entered
 Lay her there,' was the command of the gentleman. pointing to a low couch. The man complied.
 The door opened and the man was gone. leaving his little one asleep in the rich room; while on bleak hill- side a mother slept, her arm thrown over the coverlet, seeming to hold with in its clasp a little child.
 You said. monsieur, the child could sing"
 Like an angel. Come, Leah, the pro- lessor wishes to try your voice"
 But I don't want to sing" and. un- needing alike entreaty and command, the child A girl of ahOut 12 years with