The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-05
By MOLLY McNdASTER.
Copyright. 1911. by the Associated
I4ifArarY PreSs.l

Copyright. 1911. by the Associated
Literary Press.)
A fine mist had blown in from the
ocean. Robert Vale turned up his coat
collar. but continued along the board :
walk. The mist grew into rain and
some of the drops trickled down
Wales neck. He WAS opposite the
twenty-five cent theatre, which pre-
scented an hysterical display Of yellow
and black posters announ inS the
nightly performance OF the Cay De-
ceivers, when the rain began.
Even cheap. seaside music hall
was preferable to raindrops. Vale
purchased a ticket and made his way
to the third row OF seats.
Should the long line of ancestors
from whom Vale had inherited his
aristocrattc bearing-and q :ex MI
lions-witness his entrance 10 the
small theatre they would no doubt
1t was upon the latter's face that
millions.
In spite of lineage, gold and him
self. Vale drew a breath OF surprised
interest when the curtain went W.
The stage pictured a gypsy eacamp =
ment, rich and warm with the col ors
of the nomads.
On the steps OF the open cavern
duet; a third lolled against uee
stunning his musical instrument.
while q fourth lay propped by her ell
bow in the glow OF the camp FIRE.
It wa supon the latter's face that
Robert Wales interest became rtvstsd:
her wide gray eyes seemed to hold all
tho shadows in the world, but her
lips smiled-smiled with uncertain
bravery.
by Jove" muttered Vale. what
beauty And have wasted tuo
nights gazing into shallow eyes when
could have looked Mt these faith,
omless ones. Wonder what her name
Is? Nadine" Vale had taken his
eyes from the girl long enough to
glance at his program.
The big gypsy lollinE against the
tree had burst into song. Vale real
lied that the voice was good. but he
wished the applause would cease.
Madness name was next on the pro-
gram.
She neither moved from her posi-
ton by the fire nor seemed to come
out OF her reverfe when SHE began to
sing. Her voice was of the low tim
bre to which the heart instantly re-
sponds-a voice not fully developed.
nor yet quite finished. The plaintive
gypsy love song kept her audience
tense.
Robert Vale had often felt the Sc
crecy in women's ewes or been be-
witched by a roguish smile, but this
sense of complete thralldom to q mu-
sic hall singers charm was quite a
new experience. He tried to throw
off the fascination and turned his
eyes toward the other gypsy, but 1t
was Of no use: Madness personality
held sway.
Much to his own amusement he re-
sented the audience; he felt that he
would like Nadine to be singing to
him alone.
Vale walked home after the the
atre trying to tell himself that the
girl was a music hall artist in a TWEEN
ty-fve cent theatre; that she was no
doubt the wife OF one OF the gipsies.
and that she probably wore drabled
willow plumes on the street.
Notwithstanding these conjectures
ne went every night following while the
Gay Deceivers played which was some
thing less than a fortnight.
Against his better judgment Vale at
tempted to write a note to Nadine ask
ing for a meeting. He hoped to be-
como disillusioned but something stay
ed his pen and the gipsies Journeyed
on.
Later. during the winter. Vale real
ICED that tho very nature OF his re-
gard had prevented him approaching
her In the usual way. However. he
knew that she had been conscious Of
his presence and on the last night
Nadine had worn cluster OF his roseA.
During tho winter Vale went to every
A. -