The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-05-20
IHE D AiLY
SHORT STORY
Romany Rule
syA MARIA CRAWFORD.
Copyright, 1920. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndica;e.)

iSVPyIlBuI 4SsV' N
Newspaper syndica;e.)
EVERYBODY In the household was
soCnd asleep when Aeileen.
II aniefiy unbolted the heavy oaxen
1oo.. and with her ragged skits i ssi
te.tbz in the early morning oreeLs ls sss
an, for the little wooded copse wnese
ala MIchael was waiting for nef;
aYou do LOOK for all the woria luss
like a real gypsy girl. MISS Me lussad
me idea Of you wearing that rasseo
;tirtrsIhe said. whatever VIII YOU
mother say. child, with me aiding anu
sbettinr yoa IN such foolishness!'
ste sursns into the wagon and
licked he lines gently over the broad
~ =, M he fat olG horse. Mother WI
never know. Michael. It's q secre! Do
tween you and me. You've neipe'.
make a lifelong dream come trQe lof
nc. Michael. Thank YOU oGod-oy!
aYou be back before dark, Miss Mel /
icent. I'll be waiting here ioF you,
warrcl the old servant as Doooin
::,ariet TO jog down the leafy lane.
0rt al sicSt OF the touse, Mellcent
lifled up q glad voice and sang oul o.
shee- happiness OF her heart; A sue'
is1 ,,.ch Of the wagon in the road
..s,,ssl a s:e:t rafting OF tin. the
giri danced OYER her shoulder. There
ycre the tin cups, pots and pua1s tnal
"a had ordered Michael TO buy l9f
~ Il she met anybody, she wouio
~ IL sell them he. ware and always
always she would keep the money as
/ iaIisman Of her own caretree. gypsy
Ia.
sbe looked along the little trail and
saw the shadow Of the mountains
looming before her. At ne 100: Of tae
fiTst oile she would stop for breakfast
4 4 ilttle spring that dubbed up clear
rs any crystal.
with a great creahng and groanins
nd the rattle Of tin the wagon STOP.
ned She gave old .)obbin his heaa
IA me q woodland sprtte, she ran
hese and there gathering twigs. then
rkached into the back OF her wagon
i6r ne biz bundle OF dry sticks tiat
Z Michaei had thoughfully provided. y!
"a when the appeti7:ng flavor Of
hac i rose on the pire-scented air anu
MSlicent felt q rising hunger that sne
rSvi,r eYnerienced In the gray and blue
hrssk fast room at home, then sne
heard q voice singing rollickng ar
81 tfe music halls. She turned nef
Sead 10 listen, and there along the
gery same trail which she herself mao
travelled came q real gypsy wagon, anu
81 the hlsh seat Of the canvas cover
Al vehicle rode real gypsy man;
s1i0rning." said the stranger, halt
M Beside her and smiling down az
6ers liis teeth white as milk under his
black mnstache.
'.Mo.ning," she replied, hoping una,
IA voild drive on and not try any
7 Somany language on her.
IA shifted the air with quiverlng
ncsTils. eSmells good" he said, laziiy
sbe was forced to generosity.
sWant some?" she demanded briefly
He ;sprang lightly from the hie9
ssaf and bowed before her. He looked
me- he king Of all the Epsies In the
ilnd so the adventure, the great ad'
xenture. began! Together, ell day lols.
iSey rosmed by devious, untried paths.
You're only playing gypsy. aren't
v6ug' he asked at last when they naa
stopped for lunch on top Of hisn
mountain. where the winds from the
four corners Of the earth seemed 70
Nov A sudden summer storm broke
non them and sent them scurry!ng 70
M hig wagon for shelter. He puliea
N IN own velvet jacket and wrapped
n tenderiy around her. Il wish mat
Z Il vere q gypsy" he said sadly.
Sai wish 7 were q gypsy, too sne
MD Sbreathlessly, and drew back rom
fhe look IN his flashing eyes. But ne
iid moi offer to touch her. She wish.
a Vantoply that he would take her
,lSto IN arms and kiss her, hard, upon
INA mouth. She would have the thrill
n it to dream over as long as she
iived 10 have been kissed by this
Siranae nomad, who spoke many
Fonriies and had Travelled over all the
finally she mentioned home and the
necessity Of reaching there by sun.
Ioyn. He laughed and E!ed her into
IA high seat Of his own wagon, tying
1atienf old Dobbin to the back Of It.
am take you" he said. We'll finish
i6is day together" and then, beside
f n. driving along the rocky road. he
Beam to sing In q clear, sweet tenor.
SFor memry has painted this perfect
+ asy vith oolors that never fade.
An 100 soon the wooded copse came
+ into view, and old Michael, standing
[ there. bareheaded, eagerly watching
she road.
:TTI remember this day as long as
4 liye. ypsy boy" she said. and gave
Inn her smooth, cool little hands,
Wills her eyes brimmed with sudden,
blindiny tears. Never to see him
cain! Never to catch the CLEAN that
SHIFTED his flashing black eyes! Never
"a feel the comforting pressure Of his
i6ng. lean hands that could grip lIks
tea. Never to hear the music Of bis
IN. vIhrating voice. to which her
heart instincttvely responded! It was
/ unthinkable. Perhaps II she could set
lin without the background Of woods
and hills and far.nung sky, It would
/ Sc different. She leaned toward him
[ hfeathlessly, while Michael advanced
"a take fat old Dobbin.
sWere giving q dance tonight, there
I'm the hin In my home. Come to the
tJSide door at 10 dressed Just as you
ts,e!n she pleaded. VIII you:
he looked down at her and smiled
as one smiles At the caprice Of q child
at TO-" he said grayely. Il will be
Meliceut's heart was beating trantl.
calIy as she descended the vine
wreath stairway at 8 O'Clock. No
longer was she Garbed In gypsy red
ana black. Instead OF raea and candy