Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1920-12-31
NIGHT GYPsIEs
BY CLARA c. HOLMES.

All day the rain had poured upon n
small, neat cottage, the home Of Salinn
Godfrey. For eight years Salinn had
lived alone, the village Dorcas. Today
abe took up her sewing work--a bsby's
fine nainsook dress. II was dantily
handmade, with finishing touches OF
embroidery.
ut is his baby's Dress" she solilo-
qulzed, "and no one knows how well
I've loved TO put the stitches into Il.
/ can't help feeling blue and lonely
sometimes-but he Is so happy with
her and the baby. I did not have
much common sense" she continued.
talking to herself, ito keep on waiting
five years for him, thinking he would
come back to me.
Even when he neglected to write,
i did not suspect, believing he was
overbusy. Bet he wrote to her every
day from here and he was restless I'M
I'll he got away to her again. Then
he sent me that crushing note. will
destroy It today and try to be more
sensible"
From cabinet she took yellow
envelope. postmarked two years be-
fore. She read II through for the
last time:
my Dear Salina-rve dreaded and
delayed to write you these lines. which
know will terribly wound your ten
der, faithful heart. But / am so In.
tensely infatuated with Marie that I
can't live without her. We are going
to be married next week. Don't mind
too much, Salina; give some OF the
other steady fellows half chance to
win. They are more worthy than l.
with deepest regrets, am,
HOWARD BLACKWELL"
Now two years had gone by, and Sa-
lima. outwardly, was the cheerful.
much-respected Dorcas Of the village.
Salina tore up the yellow letter and
tossed 1t into the open fire, watching
the charred bits fly up the chimney
flue. Then she went to the window.
"Gypsiesw she exclaimed, camping
right here, almost in my yard. I'll
telephone to the constable aud have
'em bouncedl
mo. I'll loose Badger; they will
move when they see him around" and
at once the savage great black dog,
growing viciously, bounded over the
yard.
Then the telephone bell rang. The
call was from Mrs. King, a neighbor.
| THAT you. SalinaI Have you heard
how Marie has got I'll? We are In
need Of assistance. VIII you come
overr
| Course" answered Salina cheerful
ly. forgetting the gypsies trespasslng
near her door.
Hurriedly she fed her hens and did
some other chores. Then she called
Badger and left him loose inside the
house. Taking folded apron she set
out across pasture for a crossroad
| farmhouse.
Salina softly entered the Kitchen
| where Howard sat with downcast
heavy eyes.
what is the matterl" Salna asked,
startled.
II am heartbroken hearing the baby
cry with no one to do for her." he
sobbed.
A few hours later the nurse came
from hushed chamber TO relieve Sa.
lima. The beautiful young wife and
mother was resting beyond earthly
care.
AS in dream Salina worked about
the farmhouse, doing the numberless
| things needing to be done. At last II
was Howard who sought her.
II want you TO rest now, Salina-
there is so much more to be done TO
morrow. l have no one l can look to
but you. Go into the spare room. II
| Is comfortable In there"
He opened the door for her and
| babe her goodnight.
The next morning Sallnn rose early
81 must go 10 see what tie gypsies
have been doing" she told Howard.
but you will return 10 look after
my motherless baby grip he pleaded
Brlskly Sallna retraced her steps
across the pasture. But she saw that
| the dreaded gypsles already had brok
| en- camp and moved on. The sun rose
| brightly. Salina entered her house, q
new light softly beaming in her soft
gray eyes. Her sensitive nature was
shocked by the happenings OF the last
fearful day. yet she peacefully real
lied that. from the gates Of her owl
heart infesting cares had stolen away
like the gypsles OF the night.