Anselo Lee

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Old Mrs. Lee, a famous witch and fortuneteller of the gypsy tribes, has a son, Anselo, a strapping, handsome fellow. Gertrude, daughter of wealthy Mrs. Carlton, visits the gypsy camp with a party of her friends, meets Anselo, and is at once fascinated by him. A charming romance follows, which, however, is shadowed by strong objections on both sides. Mrs. Lee opposes the affair for Gertrude is a frail girl, and the old witch has read in her palm that she will die young. Mrs. Carlton makes strenuous efforts to cure her daughter of her fascination because of social barriers and the fact that she wishes Gertrude to marry Van Buren, a young society man. But it is the supreme love, which, on Anselo's part approaches reverence, that sustains them despite all obstacles. Anselo teaches the girl the wildly-beautiful Romany love songs, and when, as old Mrs. Lee had foretold, the girl falls from her horse and is seriously injured, he would come and sit at her feet with his guitar and sing them to her, soothing many an hour of pain. Affairs come to a climax, the old witch and Mrs. Carleton finally succeed in separating the young couple, and Anselo loses all track of the girl. Heartbroken, he follows his wandering tribe for many weary months. Finally he locates Gertrude again, but she is very sick, and after a brief period of happiness, she dies in his arms, after their last kiss of farewell, while he is left to wander the Romany roads grief-stricken and alone.