Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-01-29


extended.
I, having no occupation for hands or
energies, feeling myself something apart
from the rest, was off and away up the
breezy hillsides to the lonely margins OF
the lake, or into the most secluded glens,
my only companion my faithful dog !;
and there. were there was only the wind
to answer me, poured forth all the
pent-up feelings Of my heart and olt
my gusts Of passion found utterance in
song. At times 1 took a .pencil and
sketch-book with me in these wander
ings, but there was ever one figure in
the foreground Of the most picturesque
scene, and often enough the picture was
there alone. the adiuncts all forgotten.
AT first Bella or Winnie had borne
me company, but 1 think they saw me
longing 10 be alone and [ had my
way, not without many cautions from
my aunt.
What were perlls TO me, ckaiing
against my fathers will, crying from
the depths of my inmost heart for the
banisIed loye, who would never find
me in those solitudes, and longing foI
wings to traverse lard and sea until
found my home on his faithful bosom
Lost in distractions, all danger was
forgotten, and l had paid the penalty
but for a guardian angel little dreamed
of.
NV first peril was from the mountain
mist. which came down and around me
with bewildering suddenness, blottlng
out the landscape far and near.
Still l thought 1 knew my way. and
was stepping onward, when my dress
was clutched from behind, as | fancied
by some brush turning TO dlsentagle
It. I was confronted by what seemed an
awful appartion looming through the
misty veil, and with a suppressed cry,
I stood still in alright.
saw a wcman's form, bent with age,
n face intersected with lines and wrink-
les like a map, from which nose and
chin stood out like mountain peaks, and
the sunken eyes cleaned like the fiery
depths of two volcanic craters.
stop, my leddyn she cried, the
oates of death are open before ye"
TAX my hand and let me lead you
thank God, my BARN, that Elspa was
near you in your peril
l had heard of Elspa as woman who
dealt in herbs and slmples, but l had
heard of her as one with an uncanny
reputation. She was spoken of as the
wise woman, but her words were ut
tered as if they meant WITCH
1 confess l was half afraid to accept
her guidance, but she stamped her foot
and by gestures as strong as words gave
me to understand that had been walk
ing towards the precipice, and three
steps further would have borne me TO
destruction.
What landmark she had / know not,
but | think she seemed to feel her way
with her feet. AT all events, after about
an hours cautious stepping, we stood
below the mist, the blue lake cleaning
like a mirror still further down, and my
uncle's house within sight. Conscious
Of the service she had rendered, l did
not coufne my thanks TO words, but
was liberal with my coin.
AS she took the silver, she scanned
my face curiously, then seized my hand
and peered into it closely, while a sort
Of creeping sensation (excusable in a
girl Of nineteen) stole over me.
Once, twice, thrice. Three perlls,
nv bonnie Teddy. One is past. The
others lie before. Perils Of your ain
seeking. The gates of death stand In
the path of your true love. Open them
not with rash or needless hands before
the year be out, OF love may mourn fol
love that couldna bide. The air Of
mountain and OF lake is ma guide for ye-
BARN. Keep mair at hame and dinna
be misdoubtin'. There's a guide Goo
above a., Remember. One danger /:
overpast. TAX heed ye seek not the
ithers and dinna scof at old Elspa':
warning words.
The old woman trottod of with hel
basket on her arm, a rusty black bonnet
on her head, garments poor but clean
and only small woollen hankerchie
to protect her from the chilly mountain
mists.
l had scarcely decided whether tt
laugh at her maunderings or to yield t
the superstitious feeling she had awak
ened when l opened the house door Il
find all within in a state of excitement
1t was long past the dinner-hoar, ant
nv absence alarmed them. OF course
l explained the cause of delay, and
was only by Aunt Ritson's agitation
that I fully comprehended the danger
had escaped. l think her motherl
concern made me more communicativ
than usual.
We were still speaking of Elspa whei
my uncle came in.
'Ah y SAID he, as Winnie helped hin
off with his overcoat, All! my dea
you might thank your stars E!spa wa
on the mountaln-side. l dare say sh
had followed you. The old Scotch wo
man is shrewd and far seeing she ha
turned her eighty years. experience t
account, has a good practical knowledg
of copnp,on ailments and curative sim