The Firefly

Lilian, little daughter of Countess Barri, and Ralph, son of the estate manager, are playing in the groves when Michael, a wandering gypsy, comes upon them. The antics of his monkey amuse the children. They beg the Countess to accompany them to the gypsy camp to see Michael's other pets. The Countess, angered when the gypsy's wife abuses her sick child, orders the wayfarers from her grounds. At dawn Lilian, thinking of the fascinating monkey, climbs from her crib and runs to the camp. The gypsies abduct her, purposing to have her take the place of their own chick who has died in the night. In the morning sturdy little Ralph bravely comforts the bereaved mother and volunteers to find the missing child. He overtakes the gypsies. Ineffectually the children attempt to get back home. They are overtaken and brought back to a cruel beating. Years pass. The gypsies have been far abroad and Ralph has been unable to restore Lilian to her mother. Now that they are near their own hearthstone,...