Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1919-12-25
THE LADY EVELYN

A Story of Today
BY MAX PEMBERTON

left him, and with this glowing In the
darkness, he set out, with no definite
purpose in his mind, toward the gypsy
,encampment down in the hollow by
the river. Behind him, Melbourne
Hall stood up as glittering palace of
q wonder-world, It's windows casting
out their brilliant jets to make black
or darkness in the gardens, and many
a picture revealed to speak of ancient
centuries and the momentous history
Of the house. Ahead of him lay the
moonlit park the giant yews and
elms, the matchless oaks, glades and
dells, where from the elves should
come unsurpassable avenues and all
the beauty Of the forest scene. Gavin
walked on, however, oblivious of the
night or its wonders. He had vague
idea that he might learn something
from the rogues and vagebonds who
had followed Count Odin to Melbourne
Hall; and, with this idea indicating
his path. he came presently to the
thicket beyond which the encampment
lay. There a sound of voices arrest
ed his attention. Plainly, he said. a
woman was speaking; and while the
surprise Of this discovery was still
upon him. the music of violin, weird
and echoing, began to accompany the
speaker In n song so plaintive that
the very spirit of sorrow appeared to
breathe in every note of 1t.
Gavin listened to the music spell
bound, and yet little ashamed OF his
position. No possible advantage to
himself or others would have induced
him to play an eavesdropper's part at
Melbourne or elsewhere. II he lin
was because the music compelled him
and he could not escape its fascina-
uons. When the sound Of the voice
died away, he turned about to come
at the encampment by another road;
and then he became aware for the
first time that he did not stand there
alone. A pair of black eyes, shining
like cats in the darkness, looked up
at him as it were from his very shoul-
der. Returning their gaze, but not
without quickening pulse and some
apprehension Of danger, he could, at
length, outline TIE figure of man,
slim and agile, and yet without a cer-
tain grace to be perceived even in |
such a light. That this fellow was
one OF the gypsies he had no doubt at |
all. The clear moonlit night revealed
the oval face. the restless eyes, the
long, tapering hands of a Romany.
Gavin remarked the hands particular
ly, for one Of them was thrust into the
bosom Of spotlessly white and cling
ing shirt-and that hand, he said, COW
cred the hilt OF gypsy's knife. So |
1t was to be a hazardous encounter |
after all. He understood too we'll that |
II he moved SO much as a foot, this |
gypsy would stab him.
why do you watch us, sir7"
The English was execrable but the
meaning quite plain. Gavin answered
as abruptly:
Il am listening to your music"
The gypsy, utterly lost in his at.
tempts to continue in e tongue of
which he knew so little. stammered
Tor an Instant and then asked curtly:
DO you speak German, sir?"
Possibly as we'll as you do; III
have been three years in that excel
lent country"
please to tell me who you are,
then. and why you come to his Excel
lency's Nhouse?"
Gavin laughed at the impertinence
Of 1t. Speaking in fluent German, he
said:
Il might very we'll put that ques-
ion to you. Shall l say, then, that 1
I'm not here to answer your questions.
Come, we had better be frank with
each other. l may be able to help
vou."
This was new idea to the gypsy
md one that caused him some per-
'lexity A little reflection convinced
lim that the stranger was right
Very WE'LL" he said, I'VE will talk
bout 1t. Come to my tent and Djala
hall make us coffee. Why not be
riends? Yes. we might help each
'ther, as you say. Let us talk first
md then we can quarrel"
He led the way through a path Of
he dell. powdering the ground with
he golden dust of wild flowers as he
vent. The encampment had been en-
arged considerably since Evelyn dis.
overed 1t on the gypsies first coming
o Moretown. There were no less
han seven tents; and the biggest of
hese. the one to which Gavins guide
ow conducted him. had been furnish
d with lavish generosity. Old silver
amps from the Hall cast a warm, soft
ght upon the couches and rugs
bout; there We're old tapestries hung
gainst the canvas; tables glittering ]
nth silver ornaments; a buffet laden l
nth bottles and silver boxes. But D
ne chief ornament was Djala, a little q
girl, and such a perfect Il
icture OF wild beauty that Gavin s
tared at her amazed. q
Here is Djala," the guide said,
'ith gesture of his hand toward her. s
am known as Zallony's son. His
xcellency may have spoken OF me-" t