Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-20
CHAPTER IX,-(Continued,)

CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)
Jaquet put on the child's hat and cape.
and Mr.. Baumgarten escorted Lady Avon
to the carriage.
Where are we going, grandmamma? 2"
asked Cyras, as they turned into green
lane, which led to a cross country road
in the opposite direction to the fair. near
which Lady Avon would not have gone
had she been bribed to do SO.
1T Is very pretty this way ; perhaps we
shall see some haymakers," she said.
Cyras was quite satisfied; all roads
were pretty much alike to him. They
saw haymakers, and they saw some gyp-
sizes.
In returning home, when driving across
a strip of waste land or common, an open
carriage containing an old lady encoun-
tered that Of Lady Avon. Both car
riages stopped abreast, and the ladies en-
tered into conversation. 1t CHANGED that
they had stopped exactly opposite gypsy
encampment, the sight of which gave Cy-
ras unbounded delight. He had never
seen one before.
Grandma, look. Do look. Isn't 1t
nicew
Lady Avon turned to Cyras' side of the
carriage and saw the settlement. She had
not before observed it. Dear me-" said
she, "a gypsy encampment! l wonder
they are not at the fair. The men are,
suppose. l see none about"
what is 1t, grandmamma"
"A gypsy camp, my dear. They are
people who rove about the country, and
sleep in the open air at night, or in cara
vans"
II wish 1 could. Do you see the fires,
grandmamma? Couldn't we go to them?"
"Oh, dear, no." said Lady Avon, very
decisively. Little boys must never go
near such people,"
The carriage deposited Cyras at the
rectory gate as the clocks were striking
one. Lady Avon watched him inside, and
then drove on. Charley came running
out-of-doors to meet his brother.
'Oh, Charley, l wish you'd been with
us" began Cyras. We've seen some
thing beautiful"
What is it," asked Charles. Jam"
1T was gypsies. They'd got fires all
blazing on the ground-on the grass, you
know"
"Take me to see it, Cy'as! Please take
mew
The little boys dined at the luncheon
table. That day 1t happened that cler-
gyman from a distance was present at
the meal. He and Mr.. Baumgarten went
into very deep converse about some pub
lie church matters which were not giving
satisfaction. Lady Grace joined In it,
thus Cyras found no opportunity to tell
of his experience touching the gypsy camp.
as he would otherwise have done.
Luncheon over, Mr.. Baumgarten went
out at once with his friend. Lady Grace
proceeded to the nursery and the boys
ran to their swing-a perfectly safe one
at the back of the house.
CHAPTER K.
About o'clock Jaquet went to see
after the boys. Her mistress had said
they had gone to the swing. Jaquet could
not see them anywhere and ran round
to the front lawn. They were not there.
do you know where the children are,
Moore" she inquired, meeting the man
in the hall.
mo, unless they're with my lady in
the drawing room; they were there when
took in the tea and cake" answered
Moore.
'Oh, then they are sure to be there !;
trust them for stopping where there's
any cake going on" said Jaquet. And
she went back to her nursery and to the
baby, then just waking up out of sleep.
1t was 5 o'clock when the carriage was
brought round and the guests went away.
Lady Grace ran up to the nursery. A
maid was carrying In the tray containing
the children's tea and Jaquet's.
where are theyT asked Lady Grace,
looking round.
'"They have not been up here" said
Jaquet. II thought they were with your
ladyship."
'They must be at the swing" said
Lady Grace.
But the children were not at the
swing; they were not in the front garden /;
they did not seem to be anywhere.
Lady Grace began to feel somewhat
uneasy. She went outside the gate and
looked down the avenue which led to the
high road; still she did not think they
would run of of their own accord; even
Cyras had never done that.
Moore, Jaquet and one Of the house.
maids went about, searching the house
and grounds thoroughly; all in vain. In
the midst Of the commotion Mr.. Baum
garten came home.
1.-THE children are lost" said Lady
Grace.
Lost! The children! Oh, nonsense"
said Mr.. Baumgarten.
It appeared that the last seen of them
was when Moore took the cake and tea
to the drawing room. Lady Grace was
not very clear as to how soon afterward
they left it.
perhaps they have gone of to the
fair" said Mr.. Baumgarten to his wife
NJ suppose this comes of our having
promised your mother In their hearing
that they should not go to It,"
'"Then It's Cyras who Is In fault" said
she. Charles would not have the sense
to do such thing. or the courage either"
"Of course not. He is too young for
Chat yet awhile"
The fair was held on Wilton Com.
mon, on the other side of the village, and
near to Little Wilton. There was also
. way to 1t through fields and shady
lanes, and Lady Grace bethought herself
to dispatch Moore by that route, though
Il was hardly likely the children had