Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
BY HELEN
w ELSHIMER

when he travelled. Oh, know your world. II
been reared In it. But every Summer con
back TO stay at the old cabin. Why, DOR
know. just follow the song in my blood al
Is brings me here when the winds are growiI
sweet
You wanted romance. Adventure for q
tales you write. But you couldn't find IT. 4
I dressed up for you. I keep my garden an
sell my vegetables just for a task to do TT
time played a part. / tried to stand for Il
romance you couldn't ind"
HE had been coming nearer as she spoil.
Now she dropped ON a cushion at the man
feet.
II have the gypsy skin and the sun has keI
1t mellow know civilization. too. Thai
why I understand what you wanted"
He drew her to him then and she did nd
resist She was very still. And suddenly, bs
cause he must make her gift and there vi
nothing else to give, he was slipping the blul
green emerald on her finger. She was cdppi1|
his face in her hands and this time he sense@
that her lips too, were spent.
He went away as the rain ceased and Il
faded twilight died quickly along the sscourd
roads
Not until he heard GATHERINGS voice did h
remember the emerald
"Is my ring ready?" she asked. my lud
was good today, but the stone always makes
better"
"It won't be done until tomorrow" he aI
swered quietly. But it's safe. Perfectly SAT-
III get 1t for YOU
How he would do it he didn't know whd
he would do it he had no thought. But d
must. He was pledged to marry Catherin
Still he might slip back to the white road b
would be dshonorable. Yet the gypsy hd
heard his questions and had given her vows.
David wanted TO get away. He must be hoI
Crable. He could have forgotten gypsy BJ
q gypsy who knew both worlds was differen
He must get the ring. Maybe it would be wise
to tell the gypsy maiden the whole story I
tell her again that he loved her. But she kne
that; knew it as the stars know the hour tina
the cleaning ends, and the fiddler knows whic
songs are made for love and which for weepin,
He said that he had an errand and slippe
out OF town very early the next morning
tramp the sea roads alone.
1t was long after nightfan when he cam
back. He had made no decision. For alwaJ
the blue-black hair and the green eyes and ID
laughing voice came drifting to him.
One thing was certain. He must replac
GATHERINGS ring If he didn't reclaim It, =
vendor of tales had little money, though, |
spend on emeralds.
He sensed an eerie strangeness in the villao
Weber rushed from the hotel as he neared
whats up?" David asked.
Quick Stanton. This way. They're goin
70 hang gypsyl" y
"A gypsy?"
For stealing. We have to get 1t stopped Tt
the girl who brought the vegetables She wa
wearing GATHERINGS emerald. We recognized
and the word got out, so the peasants seize
her. They're going to make an example Of hel
We've got to stop it :"
The men were running as they talked.
David only hot -
rushing through his veins. That his legs di
not seem to move. although the trees were f1y
ing past. That the wind and the sea and tn
sky tried to hold him back
They were going to hang . gypsy maideI
his gypsy maiden to whom h
had given ring. And she wasn't q gypsy
did she explain?"
mo. She hasn't said word"
Suddenly he was in the crowd and the camp
IRE the men had built was dancing wildf
across the grass.
TIE villagers had a rope, q thick one. tn
men had greedy hands and the women hal
cold eyes. The Summer visitors were trying 4
keep the peasants from the girl.
"t was my ring she had" David wa
aware Of Catherine. But they can't XIII her
don't want her hung! Why don't they jus
lock her up for stealing?"
He didn't have time now to tell Catherine
He reached the girl, and noticed that she stOo,
tall, slender, defiant with smoldering fires II
her frightened eyes and breasts that rose to
quickly under the shining silk
Then one arm was around her and the othe
held high as q signal for silence.
IT gave the ring to the gypsy girl yesterday,
David said clearly and slowly. EFT was neve
in the shop. Go ask the keeper"
You gave it to heF?" The words made a en-,
Gle that shut him in with the gypsy girl.
"YesI She didn't steal. Now 90 homei"
The crowd disappeared. The visitors asxe,
q question or two, shook their heads too know
ingly and wandered on
Only Catherine stayed