A Border Tale

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A band of smugglers are waiting at a tavern in a wild part of Bohemia for evening in order to carry some goods across the frontier. The entrance of Hansel, a customs officer, does not disturb them, as they know that he is in love with Malvina, the innkeeper's daughter. Presently the chief of the band enters accompanied by Zingara, gypsy dancing girl, who is also one of the band. She offers to tell fortunes. The cards are shuffled and Malvina cuts a heart, for love, and n spade, the sign of death. Malvina looks scared, but Zingara's light laugh as she scatters the cards brings back a smile. The others leave, and Zingars is about to do so, when she sees a messenger hand a note to Hansel. She and the chief watch, and learn the instructions to the officer to lie in wait for the smugglers that night. Zingara is forced by the orders and threats of the chief to divert the danger by luring Hansel into their power. This she does, but afterwards releases him at the cost of her life, for in endeavoring to shield him from the pistol of the chief her own heart is penetrated by a bullet. So the evil omen of the cards comes true, although it is poor Zingara who pays forfeit. Her brave act, however, affords Hansel means to collect his men in time to intercept and overpower the smugglers, and Zingara's death is avenged by that of the chief at the hands of Hansel himself.