The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-05-11

"A a
denly upon a large canvas-covered
wagon. drawn up by the side Of the
highway near a fast running brook.
The horses had been unhitched and
were grazing IN unattached freedom.
while a swarthy woman bent over a fire
about which three young children
played.
"Gypsiesr cried the girl. oh, jim.
let me have my fortune told!'
The woman looked up suspici0usiy.
but the smart appearance of the turn
out brought cold avarice to her eyes
Calling to a man who lounged near the
wagon. she left the dirty children and
approached Grace, wiping hershands on
the violently colored gown she wore.
Twenty-Five cents cried Grace.
eagerly turning to Jim, and he presented
the requisite sum to the gypsy, wonder
ing whether there was anything dan
gerOus in the proceeding.
In the most matter of fact way. the
dark woman leaned against the dusty
wheel of the trap, took Grace's white
hand in her own. and began her mono
logue. 1t was seldom that patrons
came to her in this farming. community,
but the habit of her race coald never
be forgotten. and her manner was hon
estly convincing as she spoke.
Beautiful lady have trouble" looking
from the girls hand to the fair face in
which the most unobservant could not
fail to see the lines OF sor.raw. Man
with gold hair help. Keep near man
with gold hair"
Involuntary Grace's fingers sought
Jims as the woman continued:
Journey-sick-bSt everything all
right; man with gold hair make every
ing all right"
oh" exclaimed the girl as the gypsy
turned from her. 1.-THE bsoy--tell me
about my baby"
"GraceP cried Jim. "Gracer'
''Bahy? Baby all right-oR theIs"
The woman's arm was stretched ont
toward the far hills as Jim's word TO
the horse started them on AAeir way
again
See. JIM" murmured the girl. "she,
too, says baby is there.
Grace, dear. don't hurt ma. You
don't want TO. do you. dear? When we
can Wen go, but baby is safe; can't
can't you trust me?"
It was the only sure way to take the
mind of the girl from this subject-by
appealing to her not 70 hurt him-and
Jim felt the deepest sense OF guilt every
time he resorted to. 1t, but che result
was invariably gratifying Ard on the
long drive home not once again did she
refer TO the subject, put her thoughts
were all of the little one separated from
ner.
Her spirits were temporarily raised
, TO an absolutely natural condition
when they arrived home. and her
greeting OF DR.. Jordan, who sat with
Mrs Graham in the library, was that
Of one possessed OF every sense and
complete reason
Nice drive, Graefe?'' said che, elder
woman
Beautiful. aunt. And Tim seems TO
enjoy the country almost as much as
I do nowadays"
The old mans eyes were fixed upon
Alton as he smiled az the girls com
ment.
age brings appreciation" he re-
marked.
q 90. love it," returned Jim. "and
hope Grace and VIII drive very day
now"
+A4e%A HAAAs Np<tAs -llAus duQFeSS-
ing the old man, who was plainly
troubled by some tnoughtg I'VE know
where baby is, but IT'S secret between
Jim and me, and we're going to him
soon"
Then she turned again TO Jim. and
the appeal in her face was compelling.
Cant we tell DIT. Jordan and auntie.
Jim2 They-thsy love as So"
| Patiently Alton came TO her side and
spoke the words which had become
almost second nature by constant repe-
/ tition:
mo, Grace, tell nobody You remem-
Der, dear, you yourself decided that II
is best not 10 go yet. end We must not
tell anyone"
"Oh. keep forgetting she cried
''Dr. Jordan, why do I forget so much
Why do I dream, and why am I IN
happy every moment jim is not with
me? Oh. tell me-you have known me
so long"
The old man for the first time fully
realized the anguish which Jim must
suffer all day long when such appeals
were addressed to him. And yet he
had just seen the gentle patience with
which the young sstranger, who now