Columbia College - Columbian Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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Yes, returned the chief, and it goes against the Gypsy in me to accept an insult. The child shall not suffer. I am ashamed of your weakness. lfVhere has your hot, high blood gone to? VVill you be insulted by an Englishman? Fie on you lu Cloe could not bear this taunt, so left the room to do her lord's bidding. During the night, they departed from Mount Forest. Vanished en- tirely from off the face of the earthf' said the detective and police force. It is too heartrending to dwell on the intense grief of Colonel and Mrs. Malcolm. Sufhce it to say that they spent immense sums of money in a vain search for their child, shed many fruitless tears, and prayed many unanswered prayers. , Two years passed, still no word of Lucile and the tribe of Daego. Lucile's birthdays were remembered. She was still the subject of prayers and tears. Mount Forest remained unchanged. But we know the tribe of Daego still existed, though no longer organized. Lucile was still living. She was then ten years old. She loved Cloe as a mother, and Daego as a father. They had been kind to her, and told her over and over that she was with them because her mother and father desired it so. No wonder she was contented. Daego and Cloe had purchased them a beautiful farm and house. Wfhy had they purchased a farm, and settled down to such quiet life? you wonder. Because a little girl had come to bless their lives. Eight years have passed over the sands of time. In Mount Forest, Lucile has become a beloved memory. All hope has been crushed in the hearts of her parents. It is a sad home, in spite of the fact that God has made the inmates submissive to their sorrow. Many times have the parents dwelt upon what might have been, and could be were Lucile permitted to be with them. Happiness has been almost supreme in the Gypsy family. Lucile was then a beautiful young woman of eighteen, the pride of Daego and Cloe. Little Marguerita was her mother's joy and father's life. They had prospered in a financial way. . Alas! The joy was too complete to last. Marguerita, then eight, was stricken with scarlet fever. Doctors' skill was useless. She would die unless succored by a higher power. Daego and Cloe realized that she would not live by man's ability, therefore sent for the Methodist minister, and asked him to use his religion to ward off death. Rev. Dormer came readily. He knelt upon his knees, and earnestly be- sought God to deliver the child to them, through the merit of Christ. Daego and Cloe listened to the prayer in awe. VVhen finished, they wished to know to Efhom the minister prayed. They wanted to know all about Him. Mr. Dormer, ex out man that he was, gladly unfolded the gospel to them, telling them of the great hge of the Heavenly Father for man, and urging them to love their fellow- me . ' . ' fl e ta ked of the Golden Rule. Cloe was gloriously converted, and realized FIFTY-FOUR

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splendor shone everywhere. Mrs. Malcolm decided it would he a very good afternoon to pay some of the numerous calls that had heaped upon her during her recent illness. Colonel Malcolm always seriously objected to women taking the children along when calling. Accordingly, she thought it a wise plan to send Lucile, their only child, over to her sister, Mrs. Latham. l,ucile was dressed in a dainty fresh apron, and sent to Aunt Emily's. .Wfas it chance or treachery that caused Cloe to pass by the Latham resi- dence just as Lucile came out of the gate homeward bound? We shall see. Clue was a pleasant woman, about thirty years old. She was always attractive to young children. Her black eyes and hair did not repel them as such usuallv do. Probably this was because she was not wholly Gypsy, hut part German. I She approached Lucile, her face wreathed in smiles. l.ucile. dear, don't you want some candy? Come with me. I know you and your people, come walk down street with me, spoke Cloe, graciously. Lucile was naturally a friendly child, and never feared friend or stranger. She went readily. Cloe took her tirst into the candy-kitchen, and supplied her with sweets. Passing near a drug store, they decided to stop. Cloe ordered a laudanum lemonade. The laudanum served a twofold purpose. It made the lemonade pink, and put Lucile quickly in a fast sleep. Cloe picked her up in her arms, and bore her to the inn, where the Gypsies were stopping. Lucile carefully put to bed, Cloe went to discuss the child with Daego, her husband. In the discussion, we learn that it was treachery that brought her before the Latham home just as Lucile was leaving. Now that she had been kidnapped, how were they to allay'Colonel and Mrs. Malcolm's fears as to their daughter's safety? 'Ilhey must not suspect until the dust of Mount Forest had been shaken from their feet. It had begun to rain. Daego sat gazing at the heavy drops splashing on the window-panes, thinking of a plan. He turned suddenly to Cloe, and said: Cloe, you phone Mrs. Malcolm, as Mrs. Latham, and tell her Lucile is safe with you, since it is raining you will keep the child with you during the night. Daego, you always were ingenious. NVe can leave here tonight, can't we? she replied. Yes, we donlt mind the rain, said Daegog Hand the child is asleep. Haste, phone, and pack. By morning we wish to be out of this place, so far away that we canlt be tracked and brought back. Wle don't want money for the girl. A little money from the selfish scoundrel will not be sweet enough revenge for Daego. VVe must have revenge for his stinginess, I say. He shall suffer for his meannessf' A Cloe was just, if nothing moreg so answered him thus: Chief, my hus- band, he does not deserve such harsh words from you. He may have had good reasons. VVho knows? I tell you I hate to take their only child. It goes against the woman in me. FIFTY-THREE

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immediately the injustice done to the Malcolm home. - She repeated to herself over and over, Do unto others as ye would that men do unto you. Finally, she confessed to Daego and the preacher her thoughts, and asked them if Lucile should not be sent home. She remembered that Marguerita was the age then that Lucile was when kidnapped. The preacher advised her return, with a true confession to her and. her parents. Daego was willing. The minister expressed an earnest belief that God would spare their child if they asked Him to, after having made restitution to the Malcolms. Daego and Cloe called Lucile to them. They explained all, telling her how much they had come to love her. Lucile graciously forgave them, and vowed ever to love them, even though they had wronged her. Her clothes were hastily packed. She, with Daego, boarded the next train for Mount Forest. It was easy for Colonel and Mrs. Malcolm to forgive, since they had their daughter there to plead for and bespeak her love for her Gypsy father and mother, as she called Daego and Cloe: then, too, they had the love of God in their hearts. Upon hearing the story of Margueritais illness, they requested that Daego let them pray with him for her speedy restoration to health. Accordingly they knelt and prayed. A sudden violent ring of the doorbell brought them from their knees. Lucile went to the door. Soon she returned bearing a telegram for Daego. Marguerita will live. Her fever is gone.-Cloef' VVith joy in every heart, Daego bade farewell to the Malcolm family, with a promise to accept Colonel Malcolm's gift of the pleasant oak grove for a building site. Lucile, happy with her true parents, desired her beloved Gypsy parents and sister near by. -G. M., '14 N27 gif.. KW O FIFTY FIVE