LENA THE GIPSY—AND DIANA.

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 23

LENA THE GIPSY—AND DIANA.

In a large manor, not far from a. gipsy camp, lived Lord and Lady Hamilton, and their daughter, Diana. They were very rich, and Diana was the heiress to her father’s fortune, The King of the gipsies was a very greedy man, and he planned to kidnap Diana, and hold her for a ransom. He called the tribe together one evening and he told them of his plan. They all agreed, except his daughter, Zena. She had been friendly with Diana, and she resolved to warn her. The gipsiesplanned to kidnap her the next night, so Zena set off to warn her friend. She crept silently through the trees, crept up to the gate of the manor, and put her hand on the latch. Just then she saw a dark figure appear in front of her,' and someone grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. “Not so fast,” said the voice of Zena’s father. “I thought you’d try ibis trick.” He marched her out of the gate, and back to the gipsy camp, locked her in her caravan, and then called the men of the tribe. “Zena tried to warn them,” he said, loudly, so that she could hear; “so I think we had In Aer get the girl tonight.” - , , , Zena was furious. She banged her fists on the door, and shouted at the top of her voice, but no one took any notice.

Presently the voices died away, and she knew that they had left the camp to kidnap Diana Hamilton. She tried to open the door, but it was o£ no use, and the window was too small for her to climb through. She was beaten. She sat on her bed, and cried in her anger. After some time, she heard voices again. “I won’t come. Leave me alone,” Zena heard Diana cry.

“Quiqt!” snapped Zena’s father. “Where can wo put her?” “In with Zena,” suggested one of the gipsies. “Yes, we’ll have to.” agreed the King. Zena heard the lock of her door click back, and the door was flung open,.to leveal a shaken and sobbing Diana. Due of the men pushed her in the door and closed it immediately after, and it was locked again.

“Diana, began Zena, but Dilina turned round quickly, and gave Zena a stinging slap on the face. “Don’t you speak to me.” she said wildly.

Zena saw it was of no use talking to her. She got off her bed and said: “You may lie on my bed if you like.” “Well, I don’t like,” returned Diana. Then, after a long silence —“Have some breakfast?” Invited Zena. “No.” Zena tried the door, and found it still locked. After some time. Zena’s father opened the door and let her out, saying, “You won’t touch this door, will you? You won't let the girl out? You know the penalty?” Zena knew that the penalty would be that she would be sent away from the tribe or perhaps even would be killed, Her mother had been killed for letting a prisoner go. So that day she helped the gyps.v women, but when night camo and they bad gone to bed, Zena crept to the door of her caravan and opened it. Diana stood up. “Come on,” whispered Zena. “I’ll take you home. Ssh, be quiet.”

The prisoner crept out, and followed Zena back to the manor. Lord and Lady Hamilton were still awake. Diana took Zona inside with her. and told her parents the whole story. “But what will happen to this girl?” Diana’s mother asked “I will have to leave the tribe, or else I will be killed.” said Zena.

“Then you must stay with us.” said Lady Hamilton So Zena went to live at the manor, mid had lovely times with Diana. The gypsies who kidnapped Diana were sent to prison, and the others had to leave the place where they were and And another camping place.

—Original, by -‘Katherine,” Masterton.