John of the Woods
oices of the woman and the children talking and laughing together. Then
ut did not pause. The children stopped talking,
ma! A lit
n in her hearty, kind v
u doing here
raveling cloak. But suddenly he threw back the f
d. "You told me to run aw
er, Mama!" cried the boys in one brea
e in taking the hint. How did you get here so soon? We were homeward bound w
ay, which is long and winding, but down steep stree
ied Beppo, the littlest boy, pointing. Th
. "The wicked men! Di
They have beaten me many times till I could not move. But if they catch
ing up and down the road. "If they should come now!
y. You were kind to me to-day, and I thought-pe
. "Where is the silver
y food and a night'
re was so little money in the tambourine,-only coppers. They said p
will indeed help you to escape. Climb in here, boy, among my youngsters. W
an clucked to the oxen, and forthwith they moved on down the highroad.
ill wonder why we are so long returning from market. This has been our holiday," she explained to Gigi. "And to
ascinated eyes. "How did you learn?"
the little creases, gave him a very mischievous look. He seemed to wink. Immediately the whole cartful of peasants began to
you want to learn?" he asked. "It does not
ically. Gigi nodded his head with a sigh. "Ver
, the oldest boy, who was perhaps twelve a
since I was a baby, before I could even turn a somersault, they tossed me back
u then?" asked Beppo,
e said simply. "Whatever I did, they beat m
They are Gypsies, black men. But you are fair like t
t know," he said. "I have bel
r Margherita sudde
ad behind them. Gigi trembled. "They are
ly. But it is growing dark here in the valley. This is a lonely spo
Giovanni. "Oh, mother, hide the ba
Do not speak of it! Hiew, hiew! Go on!
pace for her. The noise came nearer. They
hose ears were keen. "I can hear his fou
t is a little man on a donkey. He is
red fearfully. "I know it! Oh, the Hunchback will kill
ke this bag, Gigi. It will be safer with you. And here, creep un
de, and Gigi crept under them, being wholly covered. The other boys huddled close, shive
nd nearer, lashing the
ld see his face,
ddenly. "You in the
Romance
Billionaires
Romance
Romance
Billionaires
Billionaires