LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1604, 10 April 1879, Page 3

LITERATURE.

THE GIPSY'S SEOKET.

["Banbury*"^ 3 "] • The narrative which I am abou* to °_ is impressed on my mind, for manyreafiion*., which will become sufficiently obviona as I go on. ' Some years ago while on l«ave in England, I made the acquaintance of a young gentleman, in whom I became at once singularly interested. ' In the first instance I believed him to be a foreigner, from the darkness of hh complexion, and also rather wiry form and figure ; but this idea vanished after a very few minutes. He had travelled in hot climates and had been tanned and sunburned; but he was an unmistakeable Eng'ishman. He was a man of grave and sad exterior. It appeared as if some sorrow or dark memory oppressed his soul. He had a far away look about him, which I had often observed about persons who had seen trouble in the past. ' But he was neither misanthrope or dull. Hie talk was pleasant and agreeable, but there was no merriment about the man.

' He suddenly, at times, bethought himself of something which ohecked the current of his discourse.

• I had no particular object in my journey, but at the end of a month I was to reach a small town at no great distance from Luton Hall, the residence of my rich uncle. There my luggage would reach me and my muchloved freedom exoire.

' Edward Mowbray appeared, once we had made acquaintance, ready to go wherever I thought proper, and we agreed to part, only to renew our acquaintance in London. ' After several weeks of wanderings, wa reached a part of the country with which I wai tolerably acquainted. ' It wa9 very English, but it was also wild and desolato, with housea at rare intervals, and sandy, winding, sloping roads. ' It led to a wooded district, the extent of which was considerable. Soon we found the eye might range far amidst the tall separate trees, till light seemed lost in the thick groen shade, among the scattered growth, around certain sand pits in which we found that gipsies were encamped. 1 hey came running to tell fortunes, and warn us against a very heavy coming storm. We gave them some money and hurried away, having no particular wish to be drenched to the skin. 'As we progressed, we got into another part which wai rather dark, and I found it necessary to stop every now and then to consider old landmarks It was a beautiful evening, rich in the splendid hues of autumn, and flooded by the purple light of the evening. 4 Pushing through the thick bushes, we found at last that we were in an open clearing, and where, in such a retired Bpot, a cap of gipsies, men and women and boys with many beautiful girls, the warm rose of health glowing through the golden brown of skins, and their dark gem-like eyes flashing, undimmed by sorrows and Infirmity. 'Several leaped to their feet, but one alone advanced. He was a man of middle age, with long and sinewy arms, small feet, well turned ankle, and great evidence of strength of his limbs. His complexion was of the usual pale greenish tint, without any rosy hue to enliven the pure gipsy of his skin.

• He was a man of intellect and mark. • •• Have you lo»t your way, gentlemen ?" he said, politely but drily. ' " Not exactly," was my reply ; " but as a storm is likely to burst, we should be glad of a guide to take us quickly out of the wood."

'"lf you will honor us by accepting supper," he said, "it is ready and I will then guide you myself." ' As it was a very civil offer we accepted, at least, I did, for my companion never spoke and appeared duller and more reserved than usual. Several times he looked about and heaved a heavy sigh, ' We approached the spot where the meal was laid out, and txeroiao having sharponed our appetites, made a good hearty and succulent meal.

• The ground at the back of the tents was a lofty, wooded knoll. 'The storm has commenced,' the gipsy said. ' I think you had better wait awhile.'

' The wind had been howling some time ; the clouds had covered the sky, and now heavy rain drops began to patter down.

'The gipsy pointed to a STiall archway, as as he spoke, and led us inside. ' It wa3 a very comfortable cave of some extent, and wan used by gipsies and others, us der the circumstances.

* Certainly, it was better than trotting through the woe d with wind and lightning. 'lt was warm and well lighted, and we were very comfortably recfived. ' Presently the whole tribe came in. On all but special occasions they prefer the open air, but they knew what was coming. ' Edward Mowbray had never spoken once, but as the gipsies came in I saw him glance at them curiously. They in turn whimpered, and some cast their eyes in his direction.

' Presently the chief approached and was followed by one of the gir's. ' lLarely had I ever seen anything more beautiful in the world than this ideal of female loveliness. She had a platter in her band, with cups and a jug, apparently of silver, which she placed before us, bowed Oriental fashion and retired. ' We found the contents to be spiced wine of a very fragrant character; having consumed which, the chief, Nepa, proposed we should retire to rest. ' While saying these words I noticed that he kept his eyes fixed on my companion, in a very peculiar way. ' We followed him to a bend or niche in the roik, spread with straw and other articles, likely to conduce to our comfort. ' We were vory tired, and hurriedly prepared to seek the repore so much needed. '"You do not eeem well, Mowbray," I ventured to remark to my reticent friend. '"I am dull out of sorts," he answered in a hoarse voice, "these woods bring back some terrible memories which I would fain throw off. but cannot. But do not let us speak ( f it now—it unnerves me." ' Of course, after that I could say nothing. My lips were closed, the more so that I never was very famous for impertinent curiosity. * With a yawn, I leaned back and slept. ' It was a long sleep, and when we awoke we found the storm abated, the greater number of Jthe gipsies dispersed to their several avocations, all, save the younger children, Nepa, the chief, and the lovely girl of the night before. ' She was a study, and I could not keep my eyes off her. * I must not forget to mention one other. This was a woman of about five-and-forty, dressed in a very fantastic, not to say, handsome style. She had herself been beautiful, but was now stately, and likely to excite respect, if not admiration. ' I noticed that as I gazed after the retreating form of the beautiful girl she watched me keenly, and then transferred her look to my companion,, Edward Mowbray. ' He seemed unconscious of her scrutiny, being as usual wholly wrapped up in himself.

'We breakfasted, as soon as the meal was over, T epa rose to act as guide, ' I slipped some money into the elder woman's hand, whom I knew well to be the Queen of the Romanies of Gipsies. She She smiled showing her clean white teeth, *nd quietly concealed the welcome (apparency) gold ' Wp thanked the main body for their hospitality, and then Nepa prepared to take the lead • As it was now fine and daylight, we did not require his pres> nee long, and as soon as we found ourselves in sight of a leading landmark, thanked him, and intimated our ability to travel alone. (To he Continued.)