The Washington times., 1909-11-16
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MERRY VAGABONI

II
"HE man who stood in the middle
Of the freight car. looking down
in wonder at the fugitives, was
a tall vagabond of the most pic
turesque type. No raglnUffin was ever
so tattered and torn as this rakish
divieual. His clothes barely hung to-
gether on his lank Frame he was bare
foot and hauess; a great mop of black
hair topped his shrewd, rugged race
coal-black eyes snapped and twinkled
beneath shaggy DrOWS and a delighted,
knowing grin spread slowly over ms
rather boyish countenance. he y as not
q creature 10 strike terror TO the heart
OF any one: on the contrary, his mis-
chieVous, sprightly face produced an
impression Of genuine good huUOr and
absolute Indifference to the harsh
things Of life.
Long, thin lips curled into a smile OF
delicious regard. his sides shook with
the quiet chuckle Of understanding he
did not lose his smile, even when the
match burned his finger tips and fell
to the fiO0r of the car. Instead the
grin was broader when he struck the
second mascn and resumed his amused
scrutiny OF his felloW-lOdgers. This
time he pTaCticed thrift; he lighted a
cigarette with the match before toss
lng il aside. Then he softly slid the
car door back in its groove and looked
our into the moist inpenetrable night.
A deep sigh left bis smiling lips, q
retrospective languOr took possession
a
and still he smiled.
Leaning against the side of the door
this genial gypsy smoked IN bllsS1ul
silence until the stub grew so short that
IL burned his ALREADY singed fingers He
was thinking Of other days and nights,
and Of many maids in far-Om lands, and
OF courtless journeys in which he too,
ha3 had fair and gentle cOmpany-short
journeys, yes, but not TO be forgotten.
All, to be knight of the road and ever
lasting squire TO the Goddess of LOVei
He always had been that-ever since he
could remember he had loved a hundred
briefly none over long. Il was the only
way.
once more he turned TO look upon the
sleeping pair. This time he lighted the
stub Of a tallow candle The tender,
winning smile IN his dark eyes grew
10 positive radiance All. how he en-
Wed this great, sleeping wayfareT. How
beautiful his MISTRESS How fortunate
the lover! And how they slept-hoW
Gomez From what distant land had
they Travelled together 10 reach this
holiday arnished city ia The hills
Naga bonds. trampSi They Were of his
world. a part OF his family, he knew
and had loved a hundred of her sisters,
he was one OF hundred thousand
brothers TO this man.
Why should he stay here 10 spoil their
waking hour2 The thought came %
him suddenly. No; he would surrender
his apartment 10 them. He was free
and foot-loose, ne could 90 elsewhere
he would go elsewhere
Softly he tIp-toed TO his own corner
OF the car, looking over his shoulder
with anxious eyes TO see that his move
meuts did not disturb them. He gath
cred up his belongings an ancient ViO-
lin case, a stout walking stick, d sOodl5
sized pack done up in gaudy cloth, q
Well-WOrH- pair OF sandals with long
frayed lacinEs As gently he stole bach
10 the door Here he sat down, viii
his feet hanging outside the car Then
with many a sly, wary glance at ms
good comrades, he put on lls sandals
and laced them up the leg He tossed a
kiss to the sleeping girl, his dark sypsy
1ace agloW with admiration and mis-
chief, and was about 10 blow out the
light Of mis- candle Then he changed
his mind. He arose and stood over
them again. looking long and sOlemnly
at the face of the sleeping girl An
had ever seeu-the very fairest, He had
known her sisters. buL-nO. they were
not Ike this one With a sly grlmacf
OF envy he shook his fist at the tai
the tired head
The girl looked wan and tired-ani
hungry. Poor thing, Never had he seer
one 80 sweet and lovely as she; never
had he seen such q shockngly muddy
macintosh. however, as the one she
wore, never were hands SO dirty as th'
slender ones which lay limp before her
With "a determined shake of uis heat
and new flash Of the eye he calmly
seated himself and began TO open uil
ragged pack once he paused q startled
look in his face. He caught sight of The
eyOiver ~ TTuEtOn's g side for the frs
time The instant of alarm passed anr
q braver smile than ever came. Ah
here was knight who would fight fol
his lady love, Good fellow, Bravo.
At last his small store Of food lay ex
posed Without hesitation he divided
the pieces of smoked veuisou. giving
one part % himself two 10 the sleepers
then The miller bread and cheese. and
the baz of dates be had bought thl
CAV before. He tied up his own slende
norton and would have WliEtlcd 70
the jov Of it al had he not bcthough
himself I'm time.
From one Of his pockets me drev
out tobacco and cigarettes papers. WITT
his back planted up against the wall %
the ear his legs crossed and his Zee
vvigging time 10 the inward tune h1
sang. he CALMLY rolled half doZei
eiearettcs and placed them one bv one
beside the feast. one match from hI
thin supply he placed alongside tH'
ciearettes. Then he looked vcTv doubt
ful No. one might blow out. He mus
himself and gave three 10 the guest a
his banquet
Again be blew a kiss TO the nretties
girl he had ever seen. Snumiug hi
candle he dropped 20 the ground an'
closed the door against all spying, an
civil eyes
Tho Grefg pray 90 r=r--- ~---
sn the somber east He looked on
over the tops Of cars and shifted tn
PIN The ra iu was over. Ie knew
fiuRe Of red that none bUt the 0yps
could have distinguished BETRAYED tn
approach Il a sunny day Jaunuly b