Evening star., 1922-06-06
On the Gypsy Trail.

| 4 Gneu anu angry DIS Hc iua2C no
IA way along the turnpike in the
spring twilight toward strip
| of woods in which for several days
past there had been gypsy encamp-
ment, for he had just read OF So
called gypsies carrying child off to
South America. He had arrived home
nearly two hours before to dinner
| less, wifeless, childless house. The
first hour he had waited inpatient
ly but eXpectantly, never dream
ing but what at any moment Mer-
riam and her two infants would come
In babbling of their days adventures.
1t literally had not occurred to him
to think of the gypses or any other
kidnapers or other violence or acci-
dent until. after wasting half an hour
in a vain attempt to corral his miss
ing family by telephone. he chanced
upon a clue that made him literally
ill with anxiety.
The last person who had seen Mer-
ry was woman who had warned
her not to go along the road on
which gypsies were camping, and who
had to report that Merriam had de-
liberatsly continued on the road, cry
3
gely gypsies. OH"
Hunger heightened Johns distress
as he hurried along the road. = I'm
pleasant recollections surged through
his frantic thoughts. For only the
previous evening he had somewhat
tactlessly criticised Merriam for
adorning her adorable twins in much
finery and exhibiting them at a fash
ionable bridge party He had used
most emphatic arguments about the
danger of arousing their vanity and
how quickly they would become
spoiled little SnobS from such asso-
Citations. Merriam had taken his sug
gestions somewhat peevishly.
He found himself remembering with
horror that she had jokingly pre-
tended that as an antidote she would
dump their young hopefuls into some
gutter and let them be little beggar
folkses." He reflected. bitterly. that
it would be exactly like his scatter
brain spouse to use his scolding as
an excuse for dragging the children
to a gypsy camp. What might have
happened to her since she had set
forth so gayly at 10 that morning
he scarcely dared let himself imagine.
With crime wave and rampant ban
ditry in his mind. he only knew that
it was growing darker every moment
and that the heavy clouds threatened
rain.
ne Hdlleu passing InOt6E car,
sighed with slight relief when he
discovered that it belonged to an ac-
quaintance. climbed aboard without
waiting permission as he began
to babble his troubles trifle inco-
herently.
Mr.; Davis and his sympathetic wife
tried to soothe the excited man.
IF it was Mrs. Hawley who told
you" the consoling Mrs. Davis tried
to calm him, Il wouldn't begin wor-
rying yet Merriam dearly loves
teasing that proper, pious old bore.
Resides. We'll be at the camp in less
than five minutes. I think it's just
around this turn in the road-slow
down hubby"
Davis had been driving in decided
defiance of speed laws. He had not
tried to chatter any crumbs of COM
fort. but he had refrained from say
ing how much he disliked the looks
of the affair. He knew the impetuous
Merriam Lindsay had reputation
for doing all sorts of reckless things.
And he had noted for several days. as
he passed the settlement, that the
were an especially shabby, vicious
looking lot. With so much crime
prevalent il made him shudder to
think of the adorable Lindsay twins
and their pretty little mother in such
sordid surroundings.
ly and the three of them strained
their eyes as he drove along the
roadside. but they had almost reach
ed the next township line before it
occurred to them that they must
have passed the spot. They retraced
at length discovered the place quite
deserted. with only heaps of rubbish
to show where the camp had been.
A slatternly woman in the near
est house, more than quarter OF
mile away. answered their grave
questions ungraciously.
Il dunno" she mumbled stupidity.
"They was there about noontime
when I went down the road to git
my mail. I did hear some talk day
before-yesterday that Hank Early
that's whose land they was on-was
move on-but I dunno. Jaby@
she called into the gloomy depths of
her house. do You know. did them
gypses mosey on today?"
Jaby. an uncouthly garbed person.
rambled leisurely to the doorway,
suspenders.
"If it was your fortunes you want
told" he suggested amiably. Il
wouldn't advise you should have no
trafficking with them buns. They're
nothing but low-down loafers, any
how. Good riddance to 'em. / say.
good astrologer or palm reader can
tell you huff sight more for your
money"
We don't want our fortunes told"
want to know If you can tell us
where these gypsies went
Il hain't no mind reader the fell
low answered sullenly.
Mrs. Davis came to Johns rescue.
please" she murmured diplomati-
11N Il, Il - =