The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-21
CHAPTER III-(COntinued).

cent, and was likely only one of a com
pany of wandering Migrants, without
trace of the old Romany blood or dialect.
You can tell me all I want TO know
without that, although here's the means
TO do it" said Conyers, showing a coin.
rs IA red-haired girl" using the land
ladys description, who was with you in
the village yesterday still here?" In spite
Of himself, his breath came a little quick
er. as ne waited for the answer
The woman peered doubtfully through
the drifting smoke at the tall figure. and
though her eyes fastened greedily on the
CLEAN Of silver in his hand. her face set
tied to a look Of low. doubtful cunning
Men of Conyers stamp did not visit
hawker's camp for nothing. What could
he want?
"A red-haired STRIP" she said. as If con-
sidering.
Yes. the one who was with you in the
village yesterday" said Conyers, impa-
tiently You need not be afraid to speak.
I'm neither a policeman nor a health in
sDector. I don't mean you any harm. Is
she still here? Has she been long with
you? Can you tell me anything about
her?"
Not much. sir. She's a bit touched In.
the cad, I think. We came on her by
the roadside two or three days ago. She
was a-sittin' lookin' al 'er 'ands, as you
would say, and when We come I'D she
bout with some lingo. but the only word
of sense in II was 'Duncaird.' We're for
DHncaird, too says I, but she sits still
and falls a-staTin' again; but halter a
bit We sees 'er follerin', and when by
night she made Up with US. she got the
bit and the sup with the kids and a corner
10 lie in; more than many would a done.
sir. for, Cord knows. the pore gypsy as
little enough TO go round, and she might
ave 'ad the fivver or the smallpox. and
where would We ave bin?" said the wo-
man, readily enough. but with A wheed-
ling tone in the thick, thrOaty voice She
had shown the charity of the wretched
10 one even more miserable, but if this
fine gentleman was interested in the
'softy.' why, then, he might as Well
know what she had done for her.
Then, where is she?" asked Couyers.
with glance toward the tents. from the
dying gusts OF moOrland wind. came the
reek Of close-packed. unwashed humanity.
Wish / knew. sir. If it's hanythink to
you. You see, il was this wye She new
er said a Christian word hall the time
but Duncaird. Was she in a 'urry there?I
We asst 'er; but there. it was no good.
We could make nothink bout OF 'er.
though 'er jabber was more like a baby
tryin' 10 speak than furrin' lingo.
though Cord knows It might ave been
that, But this was a pore day for
trampn', and one O. the 'osses lame, and
one o. the kids sick, which it's an ard
lie sir, and when we didn't take the
road she hup and hoff without by your
leave or a thank ye,' and, o. course, we
couldn't stop er."
And where did she go?" asked Con-
yers, eagerly.
He must see this out Likely it was
only atcase for the casual ward. but sup
pose that Isobel had wandered away, or.
had in some fashion been decoyed away;
such things had happened. She might
have been trying 10 find her way home
again. and such an experience might well
rob ner for a time Of speech OF memory.
save for some stray word. Then he check
ed his sallOping fancy by another glance
round The encampment. and at the wo-|
mans coarse, Weather-beaten face I'm
possible said common sense again. but
this zine, in less absolute tcne.
Hout the road, sir, but I can't think
she could ave the strength to go far
which I'd ave KEEP 'er if I could sir.
but bless yer. she was hoff. as I says.
like a sh3dder. but there's 'ardly an
'ouse for miles. and wOt's to 'appen TO-
the pore thing-eh, God bless We, sir. for
kind cart and a noble gent. there 3
precious few thinks O. the pore gypsy.
May We ave the grand fortune and hall
ye want 10 come TO 'appen."
The rest was lost in q rising shiek of
the gale, as, thrusting some silver into
the woman's ready hand. Conyers turned
away, and. STOPPING against the wind.
splashed along the road, which. gradual
~ ascending the shallow glen. stretched
far before him, a long, straight. yellow
streak.
"AH You want come to happen" the
wind whistling by sang the words in his
ears. a comprehensive enough benedic-
ton. surely Well. he must find this girl
beyond that. he would not look II only
she had kept to the road IL would be
easy enough: any moving speck upon all
lis empty length could he seen a mile of.
so long as the light lasted. But If she
had left IL? He cast doubtful eve over
the waste Of bog and heather, where here
and there a sullen peaty pool glimmered
wan In the fast-fading light. The trap
overlook him, and he babe the driver go
slowly, while he keenly scanned every
clump Of stunted bushes on the lee side
Of some hoary projecting bowlder.
There are some houses yonder!' he
exclaimed. after a while. with an upleap
of hope. seeing through the thickening
dusk some low gray gables on a slope
little way above the road
What was hooses." said the driver
rather grimly. "Weel I mind the dav
when there were bien folk and warm fire
ends yonder, but there's neither roof nor
fire left in Achnagole."
few minutes showed that the Door
dwellings were little more than rough
heaps Of stones. In one or two of then,
the smOke-blackened "cabcrs' or rafters
still showed gaunt and skeleton-like
against the sky, and supported some
fragments Of shaggy thatch. but black
nut, which seems as akin to the soil as
an outcroping boulder. soon sinks back
70 it. II once abandoned to the weather.
stop said Basil suddenly. 'Tu go
up and take a look round"
In a little. Basil struck the rutted
track which led to the ruined village
Reason cOmmon-sense. possibility were
flung 70 the winds now-in spite of them
all, conviction had sprung TO fierce and
sudden life. and had him In its grip I'll
was no longer some poor waif whom he
was seeking, and whom he would rescue.
II he could. for common humanity's sake.
but isobel, his little cousin. who. God
knew why. was wandering alone and for