The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1876-12-28
CHAPTER VI.
WHAT HAPPENED TO sILvEsrIK

The stormy night had finally
brought . heavy rainfall, and By
Satu day the road leading to COncar-
ne,sa was succession Of muddy pools.
KeriOn lay on the waste, some way
frOu the high road itself; yet, even
when this was reached, the deep cart
ruts filed With water looked like con-
tinuous miniature canals, aud, ss
evening fell, made walking in the OBJ
seure light both difncult and danger
Gus TO the ankles Of the wayfsIer.
On each side was 3 dresry moor,
covered with heather, so that there
was no obstacle 10 hinder the light
and increase the fsst-spreading glc.m.
5ilyestik had left Kerion earlier
than he Intended, but he hurried
along the rough road, reckless Of its
Oerils TO unwaTy walkers. He felt
despair hanging like lead at his heart.
That morning he had again seen Lso
talking TO Annik, ard he thought
that the girl looked lovingly at her
COMPANION. For a moment SlVestik
felt that he must Interfere that he
must tell her how unworthy Lso was
Of her regard but be remem bered
the vitch's warning indeed, Annik
gave him no chance of speaking at
bis approach she turned away.
Now, as he stumbled on along the
rugged miry road, he asked himself il
he was not q fool 70 go on acting
blindly by the advice Of Ursule.
Only yesterday he had learned the
connection bstween the witch and Lao
COatfrec.
"And yet" be thought, "thkt could
not influence Ursale's advice. Lao
does not want Annik he is too bold
and free-living to care to be numbered
with q wife; he is only amusing him
self with her,"
All! IL he had only awaited the
Cures return, instead Of consulting
Ursule, Father Pierre would have
told Annik the true character of the
man, was only hattsring her aud try
ing to destroy her peace but with
the remembrance of the Cure came
also q vivid remembrance of warn
ings he had uttered against the spells
used by Ursule.
Silvestik stopped and hung his hesd |
with shame. Was be not bound on q |
goddess errand ? Should he turn
back
He set his teeth hard.
''NO, cannot lose her. 1 will try |
.he spell. II the stone remains firm
Annik is mine and, till Lao came,
here was . look in her eyes when she |
.alked with me which at least was
liking"
He went on still faster, and just as
he light grew very dim he came in
light of the enormous block Of granite
which goes by the name of the Rock
ng-Stone OF Tregunc.
Silvestik stepped of the road, and
vent up to the stone. There was still
ight enough to show that the huge
mass rested solely on q projecting
.ngle placed on smother block deeply
unk in the earth.
Silvestik looked at. It, and then he
ried to remember the witch's words.
1e felt 8 strong reluctance to touch
be stone, which in the gloom looked
Ike dark formless monster (; out at
be thought of Annik his resolution
anne back. Placing his hands about
midway on the stone, he tried to
1oYe it. He might as well have
ried to uproot q Menhir. He paused
q his effort, and then tried again, but
his time, though he set his shoulder
D help his hands, the massive block
( stone kept firm.
His hopes rose wildly. "She is
line; she is good and true, my sweet
mink ; was a fool TO doubt her
l-mOrrow 1 will hear from her own
ps that she loves me-"
He did not feel inclined to make !
be third trial, when suddenly he
card the purring come frUm across
ne road, and as be looked his hair
semed to lift itself on his forehead. :
Te saw two yellow balls of flame,
-hich he guessed were Tartsrs's
yes.
He was being watched, then who T,
ould tell by what evil beings ? and II :
Q failed in obedience he might be
Urn to pieces. :
"And am In their power, for 1 J
ave sought their help" He turned :
ngrily to the stone. This time he
My pushed it slightly, and to his
Ismsy he felt it yield under his fin :
ars, and, as they still touched it, it :
1ntinued to rock for some seconds. :
Silvestik gave wild cry Of despair,
nd rushed on across the road, heed
IS how he went in the direction Of :
artsre's eyes. He felt q stunning
low, and then he fell senseiess beside 4
huge mass Ct granite. I