Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-08

anxious to explore the mysteries that lay be-
hind the bright colored drapcries. Her
hesitancy became all the stronger when she
suddenly realized that she was all aloh"
among the Gypsies The fair visitors. who
had been streaming in and out of the camp
all afternoon. were gone.
Come" said Tirzah again. and this time
she took Peggy firmly by the hand
Peggy thought fast. She was for the mo-
mcnt at least. in the power OF the GNpsics.
They evidently Intended no HARM and be-
sides they had good reason TO treat her we'll
Possibly If she trusted them they would re-
ward her as Tir2ah had promised and then
would let her go. So she started alone with
the queen.
But now there pushed into tho crowd Of
Gypsics a swarthy scowling older man. who
frowncd darkly as he looked down upon Peg,
gy.
"Ha what's this? \ beautiful white girl?
Are her parents rich? win they give big
ransom for her."
The other Gypscs shrank back as the older
man shouted out these questions. Evidently
they were afraid Of him. only the tall,
ficrcc-ooking man held his place gcside
Tirzah. lie answered the older Gypsy.
This girl has done us a service. Nisa,' he
said. NO harm shall come to her."
"Who darcS say to me what shall or shall
not be done" demanded Niga
II dare say it," answered the younger man.
doubling IN his fists and facing Wga, who
glarcd angrily back at him.
"And | say II with you. Ronald spoke
mp Queen Tirzah "Shc shall be rewarded by
feeling the Gypsy's charm
THE GNpSy's charm, ho. no. no :" laughed
Niga. when she feels the Gypsy's charm
she will be ours forever"
THAT shall be as Tirzah says" spoke up
Ronald
"Or perhaps as 7 say" snecrcd ViGa. You
grow overbold, young Ronald When we
reach the open road there must come "A settle
mcnt between us two"
NgaS words held threat, which Peggy
coud only vaguely uudcrstand--a threat
against her and against Roland, who, ap-
parcntly. was her friend.
As the two men glarcd at each other,
Trzah drew her quickly into the tent.
1t was dark there but when PegGy's eyes
became accustomed to the gloom, she found
herself in luxurious. Oriental den, with
beautiful hangings ON the wall a rug on the
floor deeply cushioned couChes inviting re-
pose and a dimly burning lamp hanging from
above
Wait here" said Tirzah, leading TO-, into
| IA rear compartment.
When Peggy found herself alone, her first
impulse was to escape. A glance outside,
| however. showed that the tent was sur
| rounded by Gypses. She could not possibly
| get away.
| slight noise on the other side of the
| curtaned wall attracted her attention. II
| was like some one breathing deeply. Then
there came little moan. Peggy stood still
| afraid to stir. Again there came the little
| moan.
Perhaps some was in distress. Maybe
| she could help. Thinking this, Peggy crept
| TO the tlrapcries and peeked through. On
| couch in another apartment was "A boy sleep
| ing and moaning in his sleep.
Peggy was about to draw back, when she
made a startling discovery. The boys face
was as brown as any of the Gypsies, But h,
| wore a ragged suit, and through a break IN
this ragged suit peeked out a bit of mis- arm
| And that arm was white.
Startling thoughts flashed to Peggy's mind
| This white boy was a captive of the Gypses
| He had been colored brown to make him lool
| like the others Perhaps they were going
| 10 do the same with her.
The boy sighed deeply and turned his fac,
| toward her Then she made another startling
| discovery. The boy was Billy Belgium,
| IN the nert chapter Peggy feels the
GypSy'S chdrmJ