The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-07-06
The Gypsy's Vengeance

sions OF. Spain, a nobleman Of high
rank, known as Count de Bazan,
whose only daughter was the JOY
and pride of his life.
The Count loved his child so
dearly that he could not bear to
think of any ill Detailing her. So,
upon being told that his child, who
was still a babe, was ill, he be-
came very much alarmed. although
the illness was only trifle.
Thus it was that the head nurse
was hidden to sit up all night and
to keep faithful watch until morn
ing The baby had slept peacefully
all night and the grey of dawn was
Just appearing when the nurse be-
came aware, by slight rustling
sound that she was not alone in
the ROOM Upon looking up she
saw an old Spanish gypsy woman.
dressed very Enthusiastically. with
long, stringy locks, and very pierre
ing eyes. leaning over the cradle
of the sleeping child. The nurse
screamed for help. yelling at the
top Of her voice.
Quickly the servants came rush
ing in. ard grabbing the old gypsy
woman. dragged her out despite
her cries, declaring that she was
witch and only there to do harm
to the child.
Their fears were confirmed. when
he next morning. it was found that
the child was worse. The Count
in grief and wrath, and. according
10 the superstition of that time, de-
clared that she had bewitched and
spelEbolnd his child. and that she
would be burned the next morn
ing at the stake as a witch.
The execution was to take place
at dawn. Despite the old gypsy's
protestations of innocence, she
was rudely dragged to the stake
where the faggots of wood we're al
ready piled. She was quickly
bound and the faggots set on fire.
To her cries of innocence and to
pleading. we're answered only by
wrathfui mocks and taunts.
In the crowd gathered around
the stake, was the gypsy's only
daughter. Zenrica, who was trying
to push through the crowd to get a
last word with her mother. The
crowd was SO eager and trium-
plant to see the witch burn. that
they rudely pushed her back. When
at last she reached the stake her
mother was dying.
Gathering up all her remaining
strength. the dying mother cried to
her grief-stricken and frantic
daughter:
"Avenge me. my daughter.
avenge mel"
The girl remembering the talk
OF the Counts fondness of his child.
and planning speedy revenge,
rushed into the castle and snatched
up the sleeping baby from its era
die, the nurse having gone into
the next room to witness from the
window the burning Of the witch.
When Zenrica again reached the
stake the square was deserted.
Stopping to view the remains Of
her mother. she rushed on with
the baby to the camp.
The Count upon discovering that
his beloved child was gone at once
bought of the gypsys daughter
had stolen his child for revenge.
He at once ordered a thorough
search to take place through all
the kingdom to find Znerica. At
the end of a three months thor
ough search. which failed to bring
to light either Zenrica or his child.
he said that he would never give
up hope of finding her. although in
his heart he was almost in despair.
Sixteen years later every where
there was hustle and excitement.
The common people. including all
the Nomad tribes, were in an up
rising against the noblemen.
Spies were being sent out by the
common people to find out and re-
port all the progress of the enemy.
Zenrica had reared the Counts
little girl, now named Aura. and
lovod ha a. hor nwu dauphfoR