Part 36 (2/2)

THE CALL OF THE HEART

”I a to show theuitar She fingered it tenderly, then let it rest for a ht?”

”The dogs are drugged I didn't have the heart to kill the brutes, ugly as they are They will not awaken”

”Good! Then everything else will be all right Oh, Helka, can you ihtened before Whether it is the thought ofthe from head to foot,” said the queen

”That is natural You have been with them almost all your life But I shall show you what real life is This is slavery”

Helka looked about her uneasily ”What shall we do first?”

”When it is very dark, and all are in bed, I will fasten the rope to the big nail that Lena fetched Then I shall try it from this side, and if it holds er hear the leaves rustle, or if you can hear the whistle I will give you as a signal, then you et out! Oh, Cora, I should die here alone now!”

”Faint heart! Be brave! Be strong! Say you in!”

Cora was jubilant To her it ht of was success To get away and then to send word to her dear ones!

Lena tapped on the door

”Helka,” she said, ”could I, too, go?”

”You, Lena--why?”

”I will not be happy without Helka and without the good lady I, too, would go away!”

Her eyes were sad, and her voice trembled

”Why, Lena, they would search the earth for you--you are a real gypsy,”

said Helka

”But I have no ht have they to me? In the world I could learn, I would work for you, I would be your slave!”

The poor girl was almost in tears Her manner pleaded her cause o?” asked the queen

”When I go out to lock the barn, I would just run, and run through the woods I would wait for you at the big oak”

”Where is Saon this afternoon He will not be back”