The Black Cross

gazed at one ano

with the sleeves patched, and a scarlet sash tied loosely about the waist. On the back of her cropped yellow curls w

nsieur! Will I do? What sort of a boy do

the mirror with her hands boyishly deep in her pockets, glancing b

would you-would you?" She patted her curls and pulled down her jacket in front, turning first to one side, then to the other. "What a nice pair of gypsies we make, sir, eh? Come and look at yourself. You are taller than I, and bigger, an

ith little exclamations of horror. "I took the only ones I could find, and see-" Then she look

Am I just like a gypsey, the real ones?

n her brow, the boyish swagger and the hands in the pockets, the cap on the back of the tilted head, the laughing eyes, half veiled.

efore; in a cloak, in a veil, you were tall. And now, stand s

you cheat!" she cried, "No-your heels on the floor, sir-there,

nt, their shoulders touching, peeri

are standin

t is

You r

g a boy," she exclaimed, "What is it you do? It is so different from being a Countess. One feels so free.

tle; her thumbs in her vest and her head thrown back. "There, now, that is it; I fee

his hands. "Step softly, Kaya, step softly," h

toss i

e table edge, balancing and swinging her feet; lo

omrade, Monsieur Velas

he dimples that came and went in her cheeks, her soft, white throat, bare under the collarl

I-all the way to the frontier. They will never suspect us, never! The Stradivarius shall earn our bread, and if you are ill, or wear

, half gayly, half tenderly, with his face close t

ft the fringe of those lashes and look at me, Kaya. Will you pass the cap for the pennies?-You will have to doff it be

ands, playing with it, caressing i

she turned and looked at him squarely. It was strange, whenever their eyes met, like a

ng, she glanced at him under her lashes, with her head on one side. The voice pulsed and grew in her throat, swelling out; then she softe

rough the arch of her lips, every note pure, and sweet

l and pure, like clear, running water. When you soar to the heights, it is like a lark flying; and when you drop into alt, it is a tone that forces the tears to one's eyes, so

, swinging her fee

ieur Velasco, and I-I know nothing of music. No-I will pass the

ing his eyes. "Will that do for a gypsey? Is it straight-Velasco?" She s

id nothing; he made no motion and she

ou are all music, as I am music. We will make music together-Kaya. Sing for

k at you now there is a mist before my eyes. The room sway

rom your cheeks; there are shadows under your eyes, deep and heavy as though they we

asco; some bread, some wine. In a moment it will pass!" She began laughing again immediately. "Don't be frightened. It is you who are

rom the table and was pouring it ou

all I break them for you? Don't speak. Shut y

h little exclamations o

You seemed so gay, dancing about; your cheeks were so red and now-Ah no,

g the wine from the glass as he held it. "Is t

e clock on the mantel. They pointed to

"Lie still. Let me feed y

y?" she said, "Was it a noise

ment, the glass in her hand tipped and spilled over. "It is

leaf, so soft and so white. The wine has stained it with a bl

suddenly and fel

it off! Take it away! No

They were frightened, dilated, and her whole bod

he sleeve of his jacket. "There now," he said, "it is gone. It was only a drop of wine. Hu

e! I am a murderess! I shot him, Velasco, I shot him! I fulfilled the vow,

ruggling t

t hesitation, or mercy. I

gain, sobbing, murmuring to he

t think of it, Kaya. Be a boy, a man, not we

k the bread

h the

l she had drained it; and then she

ith lips that still quivered. "It is over," she said, "I am-I have-you know; but it is over! I will forget it. Sometimes I can forget it if I try; then I shut my

sh! Don't speak of

d and gay as a gypsey should be. Already-I have forgotten! What

faded ol

r scarf,

r velvet

then they stopped suddenly an

think

you s

nd their fingers touched for

e go; is

o sweet, they are arched like a bow; they quiver l

er palms against his coat. "We must go," she whispe

, kis

closer, gazing intentl

We are two boys together. You must fo

jacket and scarf, with the curls on your brow. When you look at me so, with your head on one si

still on hers; but she held him bac

u. You are stronger than I; your wrists are l

shoulders and folded them proudly

lue, Kaya. Your spirit looks out at me, brave and dauntless. When you sob, you are like a child; when you look at me under the veil of

hen he moved away slowly and began to lay the things in his knapsack. "They

" she

in my belt; now the knapsack is ready, my violin

ng at her; he approached the door slo

you c

," he said, whispering as if someone could hear, "Are you afraid? Why are you afraid to come with me, dear br

" she said, "but for you-you, Velasco. Leave me before it is too

anything should happen, and you suffered fo

drew her forward, and she followed him dumbly, quietly, without resistance; her head droop

started out, hesitating, looking back over their shoulders; ste