The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1903-09-25

h A GAIN. Leahl The gentlemen
a wish it"
"But | am so tired, mamma"
ayes, yesl But see all the pennies
Once more and l 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 pic
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 ma
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 elfn child was in fact the fitting
issue Of so strange a union.
AS the visitors left the camp, the IA
ther. in reply to a sign from one OF the
gentlemen, followed to a turn OF the
road. where, the dingy tents, no longer
visible, the gentleman, bidding the rest
of the party drive on. called the man
20 him"
"The child is yours?" he inquired.
mine"
"How old is she?"
"Six years"
"Who taught her TO dance and singY'
Like me she dance, the song come
from the mother"
"Ah, SO thought. And she resem-
bles you bOth?"
"Why you ask?"
Because | 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 mot
or love me much. One day the queen
tell her something l want her not to
know. When 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, part heaven, part hell
As the gypsy ceased speaking. the gen.
tleman turned towards him with an ex-
preston Of decision: Would you Ike
TO sell your daughter?"
"Sel herr" returned the man.
Eyes, sell her. You need money"
Eyes. much. But the mother need
Leah: II kill her to lose her"
well, don't tell her; steal her away
She'll get over It in time"
NO. never, never" answered th'
gypsy. shaking his head.
Look here!" commanded the gen
tleman. tonight after all are asleeI
hiring Leah to me; you know the place
will have a paper for you to sign re
linouishing all right TO the child, ant
in return I give you $1,000"
cone thousand dollars?" echoed th'
man in a low, half-doubting tone.
Eyes. 81 900; it's lot of money"
ayes. a lot" the man hesltated. witt
II he knew he could be chief Of the tribe
a position he had long coveted. And ye
he felt It would kill the mother
"Wen?" interrogatively.
ayes. I bring her tonight II be a
Won say. ! promise" And the gypsl
furned back TO the little camp.
shortly after midnight man with
child closely clasped in his arms walke
burriedly along one Of the great boule
wards Of the city. AS he neared hand
some residence. in the window OF whicI
a soft light burned, he paused the
creeping softly to a side door, he CAV
= a low knock: the door opened and tn
Z man with the child entered.
.sTav her there" was the comman
Of the gentleman, pointing to lo'
couch. The man complied.
The door opened and the man wa
. gone leaving his little one asleep ]
the rich room; while on bleak hilI
side a mother slept, her arm throw
over the coverlet. seeming to hold VIII
In its clasp little child.