leep
and that she might not be able to awaken? Yet the sensation was so
soothing! Cora thought, then stopped thinking. Sleep was coming
almost as it had come when the man seized her.

Drowsy, delightfully drowsy! Then sleep!

CHAPTER XX

CORA AND HELKA

"What a wonderful morning! It makes me think of the Far East," said
the gypsy queen.

"Have you been there?" asked Cora politely.

"Yes, I have been many places," replied Helka, "and to-day I will have
a chance to tell you some queer stories about myself. I have a lover."

"Then you are content here? You are not lonely?"

"But I dare not own him as a lover; he is not a gypsy."

"This is America. You should be free."

"Yes," and she sighed. "I wonder shall I ever be able to get away!"

"Shall _I_?"

How strange! Two such beautiful young women prisoners in the heart of
the White Mountains!

Cora repeated her question.

"Perhaps," answered Helka. "You see, they might fear punishment if you
escaped; with me it would be--my punishment."

"But what shall I do?" sighed Cora. "Do you really think they intend
to keep me here?"

"Is this not a pleasant place?"

"It is indeed--with you. And I am glad that, bad as it is, I have had
a chance to know you. I feel some day that I shall have a chance to
help you."

"You are a cheerful girl. I was afraid you would put in all your time
crying. Then they would take you away."

"No use to cry," replied Cora, as brightly as she could. "Of course,
it is dreadful. But, at least, I am not being abused."

"Nor shall you be. The gypsies are not cruel; they are merely
revengeful. I think I like them because they are my truest friends in
all the whole, wide world."

A tap at the door stopped the conversation. Then a girl entered. She
was the one who had been in the van with Cora!

She looked keenly at the captive and smiled.

"Do you wish anything?" she asked of the queen.

"Yes, breakfast to-day must be double. You see, Lena, I have a friend."

"Yes, I see. I am glad she is better."

"Thank you," said Cora, but, of course, she had no way of knowing how
this girl had tried to befriend her in the gypsy wagon.

"We have some splendid berries. I picked them before the sun touched
them," said Lena. "And fresh milk; also toast, and what else?"

"We will leave it to you, Lena. I know Sam went to market."

"Yes, and will the young lady like some of your robes? I thought that
dress mig