Free The Gypsy Moon by Gilbert Morris Page A

intensely uncomfortable. She felt the need to defend herself, but she did not know from what.
    “God knows your past, and He knows your future, my daughter. But you are concerned with the present.”
    The old hands tightened on Gabby’s, and she felt lightheaded. She listened as the old woman continued.
    “For some reason, God put you on my heart that nightmany years ago. This old woman is not good for much, but she knows when God has a task for her. And the Lord Jesus has given me to prayer and called me to seek the goodness in your life.”
    Gabby sat absolutely still, conscious of the old woman’s frail hands holding hers, unable to move away from her eyes. She had no confidence in fortune-telling, and she was well aware that there were those among the gypsies who were thieves and worse. All of this, however, was shoved aside, for here in the dim light of this gypsy caravan, Gabby Winslow knew she was in the presence of one of God’s servants. The power of God rested on Madame Jana, and Gabby listened as she spoke for some time about the love of God and the way He directed the lives of His children.
    Finally, Madame Jana pulled on her hands and whispered, “Lean forward, daughter.”
    Obediently, Gabby did so, and the old woman placed her hands lightly on each side of Gabby’s head. The old woman did not speak for what seemed like a long time, but Gabby’s head seemed to tingle where the ancient hands rested on the sides of her face. She began to tremble, and tears filled her eyes, although she could not explain why.
    “You still wear the necklace I gave you.”
    “Yes.” Gabby pulled the necklace from beneath her blouse and held it out. The light caught the gold, and it glowed dully in the semidarkness. “I’ve always worn the necklace you gave me, Madame Jana, and I have believed in your prayers.”
    “You are faithful, child, and God will be with you. But you must not make a mistake. You are thinking of going through a door, but you must not pass through it, for God has other plans for you. You will close one door, but another door will open. Go through that door. God will be with you.”
    Suddenly, without doubt, Gabrielle knew that the exhortation had to do with her intended marriage to Lang Zeeman. She heard no voice, but she knew that God had spoken to her through this woman.
    Finally, Madame Jana pulled Gabby forward and kissed her forehead. She seemed weak then, exhausted, and her eyes closed for a moment. It took all her strength, it seemed to Gabby, to open them, and she said, “Now, tell me about yourself.”
    Gabby spent over an hour in that gypsy caravan, speaking her heart to the old woman as she had never spoken it to anyone, not even her dear aunt Liza. The old woman prayed for her again, and she knew that the direction of her life had changed.
    “I do not think we will meet again on this earth, my daughter,” Madame Jana whispered. “I go to meet my heavenly husband soon, but until that moment comes you will always be in my heart.”
    “Oh, Madame Jana!” Gabby cried, tears forming in her eyes. She kissed the withered cheek, and they said their good-byes.
    She turned blindly and left the caravan, wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. She found Duke Zanko standing a distance away, waiting silently. “She is a wonderful woman,” Gabby said.
    “The wisest and the best I have ever known.”
    “She . . . she said we will not meet again.”
    “She is rarely mistaken.” Zanko’s face was sad, and he shook his head. “I do not know what I will do without her.”
    ****
    It was nearly two weeks later before Gabby told her aunt and uncle about her conversation with Madame Jana. Gabby was subdued at supper that evening, lost in her thoughts. When the meal was over, before her aunt could rise to clear away the table, she said, “I have to talk to you.”
    Instantly, both Dalton and Liza grew alert. Gabby had been pleasant enough recently but was obviously preoccupied with something that