Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-11-15

ii By LOilSihssGG = E-ENJ FsdChdJ
Copyright. 1905. by Ruby Douglas
Clayton struck of from the wood
path he had been following to the main
road He had ch...d the end Of Sep
temher for his vacaiion Already sum
mer was mellowing into autumn, the
naples were tipped with yellow, and
in the dark recesses of the woods su-
n.;,. @lowed with a color that was al
most tialnelkc As he walked on ell
ther hand stretched fields of alternate
stuh1ln and green grass. starred here
ani there by patches Of goldenrod or
slender purple asteTS. Fall sounds
were in the air. Late crckets chlrped.
Grow cawed across the fences. Bits
OF ths!ledown hoated lazily In the
morning sunlight Except for occa-
sional farmhouses standing by the
way or passing team, the road was
deserted, and Clayton was 1uslng
pleasantly on its solitude when an un-
expected turn past clump Of trees
brought bin upon camp Of gypsies.
He went forward with quickened In
tere2t.
They had pitched their tents in lit
tie hollow through which stream ran
In the background stood a canvas GOV.
cred wagon and ii half dozen lean,
tethp9Ci horses IN the foreground
smoidefed the ashes of fire. Round
this clustered a few half naked chill
dren and some wrinkled crones with
huge gilt earrings in their ears.
"'The men of the camp had evidently
gone foraging. nor were the women
slow 10 turn Il penny. for one of them
called out to Clayton that she would
tell his fortune. Clayton shook his
head impatiently and went on. If he
had it told at all. 1t must be by some
young. black eyed girl, such a one as
he saw approaching half a mile be-
yond tn, camp, a tall, 1.-THE creature.
who walked with the grace OF those
accustomed 20 the open. She wore
red skirt 4 white blouse falling away
from her throat and caught with bit
Of dull yellow that matched her glrdle.
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.
"The princess of her tribe" thought
Clayton.
She was playing with curious dag
ger that she held and did not see him
till he accosted her. Then she looked
up, startled
"Will you tell my fortune" he que
lied. smiling. and held out his hand
when 1t 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
hardworliiig. 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 | read truc?" she asked. with
swift upward glance.
quite true said Clayton amusedly.
mo woman has touched your heart,
but there is one who soon will"
DARK or fair:"
"Dark-and very wealthy. You will
see her this afternoon at 4 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 | tell? 4 few days-a
week maybe We gypsies do not meas
ure time"
And what is your namef'
Jan" she answered, turning on her
heel with the indifference of queen.
Now that SIZE had told his fortune she
seemed anxious to be gone.
"A merceuary young wretch, like the
rest of them" murmued Clayton,
looking after her
That afternoon he strolled toward
the village. The season was over, and
most of thr ltrgr hotels were closed.
50 were l'iH lltHtt-Dlle private cOlldSeSs
save fcE whose owners preferred the
luxury o. solitude
Arden. tie summer home of Alyard,
the copper king. was still open, Miss
Alyard It was said. caring more for
her tables and kennels than for So
ciety.
As Clayton p ssed it. admiring It's
green lawn and well kept flower beds,
a smart trap came down the driveway.
In it sat girl dressed in white. Clay
ton could not see her face, for she held
lace paraSOl to screen her eyes, but
he liked the patrican poise of her head.
As they ratified past him with gay
clanking of silver harness the coach
man turned in answer TO some ques-
ton.
It's exactly / O'clock Miss Alyard."
he said deferentially.
Clayton started and then laughed at
himself for being foolish enough TO
mind gypy's prophecy. And yet
the prospect was aluring-a rich wife