The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-27
TIE EVENING STOR +


Clayton STRUCK OIL A1OAkA eAA~ 49,
path he had been following to the
main road. He had chosen the end OF
Septembe for his vacation Already
summer was meuowing into autumn,
the naples were tipped with yeiloW,
and in the dark receSSes OF the WoouS
sumach glowed with color that was
almost Aamehke. AS he walked on
either hand stretched fields of alter
nate stubble and green grass. starred
here and there by patches OF So1oen
rod or slender purple asters- al
sounds were in the air. Late crlckets
chirped. Crows cawed across the
fences Bits of thistledown hoated
lazily in the morning sunlight Except
for occasional farm houses standing Dy
the way or passing team the road was
deserted, and Clayton was muslhg
pleasantly on its solitude when an IN
expected turn past ciump of trees
brought him upon a camp or gypsles-
He went forward with auickened IN
terest.
They had pitched their tents in
little hollow through which a stream
ran. In the background stood can
vas covered wagon and half dozen
lean tethered horses. In the Iore-
ground smouldered the ashes OF a 1fre.
Round this clustered few half naked
children and some Wrinkled cfoHes
with huge gilt earrings in their ears.
The men of the camp had evidently
gone foraging, nor were the women
slow to turn a penny, for one or them
called out to CLAYTON that she would
tell his fortune Clayton shook his
head impatiently and went on II ne
had it told at all 1t must be by some
young, black eyed girl. such one as
he saw approaching half mile beyond
the camp a tall 1.-THE creature, who
walked with the grace of those accus-
toned to the open. She wore req
skirt, a white blouse. falling away
from her throat, and caught with Bit
Arrl.rz H. rr7T<
One sleeve was torn, and her arm
showed through. dusky and rounded
Her dark hair was twisted with what
looked to be scarlet beads, but which
upon nearer inspection proved to be
rose fruit strung on grass
1.-The princess of her tribe" thought
Clayton.
She was playing with a curious dag
ger that she held, and did not see him
till he accosted her. Then she looked
will you tell my fortune?" he
queried, smiling, and held out his
hand.
when it has been crossed with sill
YER" she answered, her black eyes
cleaning
'.The life line is deep" she went on,
quickly you have made your way
SO far, for you are ambitious and
Woodworking. You do not come from
Brierley village. nor from the country
round here You are from the city
You are nearly thirty and unmarried
Do I read true p she asked, with a
swift upward glance.
quite true said Clayton, anus
eddy.
mo woman has touched your heart
but there is one who soon will
Dark and fair p
"Dark-and very wealthy. You will
see her this afternoon at four o'clock. .
well, I'm glad I'm warned" said
Clayton, with a laugh. How long
have you been here ?" nodding in the
direction of the camp.
She shrugged her shoulders.
How can I tell? A few days-a
week. maybe. we gypsies do not
measure time.
And what is your name
Jan she answered. turning on her
heel with the indifference of a queen.
Now that she had told his fortune
she seemed anxious to be gone.
"A mercenary young wretch, like
tn : rest of them murmered Clayton,
looking after her.
That afternoon he strolled toward
the village. The season was over and
most of the large hotels were closed
So were the handsome private cot
tages. save few whose owners pre-
ed the luxury Of oltisedu. TOA
ferred the luxury Of solitude.
Arden" the summer home of AL
yard, the copper king was still open,
Miss Alyard, it was said, caring more
for her stables and kennels than for
society.
As Clayton passed It, admiring its
green lawn and well kept flower beds
a smart trap come down the driveway.
In it sat a girl dressed in white. Clay
ton could not see her face, for she
held a lace parasoI to screen her eyes,
but he liked the patrician poise of her
head. AS they ratified past him with
gay clanking of silver harness the
eoachman turned in answer to some
cts exactly o'clock. Miss Alyard."
he said deferentially.
Clayton started, and then laughed at
himself for being foolish enough to
mind a gypsy's prophecy. And yet the
prospect was alluringi A rich wife and
money to pursue his studies in Paris
untrammeled for though Clayton's name
was beginning to be known IN the world
of architecture it had been hard fight
ing every step of the way Even now
he was not free from financial diH1cul-
ties, and instead Of putting up at the
luxurious country club which was still
open to visitors, he was housed in a
farm at the village outskirts
But whether the gypsy had read his
fate truly or not there was something
tantalizing and mysterious about her
prophecy, and next day he went again
to the camp. Jan was nowhere in
sight. In vain he questioned the old
nag who naQ OfIered 10 tell MS fortune
the day before; she declared there was
no such person, and called on swarthy
devil-may-car young fellow who
lounged close by to confirm her in what
she said
No" he reiterated. NO Jan is
here"
It was useless to argue and Clayton
turned homeward with a feeling Of de-
feat when, perched on a fence near
where he had first seen her, he espied
Jan.
rive been to find you at the camp"
he said, "and they told me there was
no such person..
s.They told you that.'' She threw
back her head and her brown throat
shook with laughter.
"And there was a young fellow there
who looked as if he would like to muir
der me-