The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-28
MINER,s RErREAr.

ElbgiilR uiitll CQuuc StUurtS idtuu
house was reached. Ella Corners
came out to meet ga, party OF four
who alighted and received her heart
felt gre-ting.
"Oh, Ella, exclaimed pretty Vim
ME Reeves, '-what time we had
getting here. Will drove the team
and Just as We came to Miners Re-
treat the horses shied and nearly
capsized our sleigh"
They say is no sleigh ride un
less you have Landed III the snow,"
laughed Ella. But, com-, girls,
take off your wraps I'm SO glad,
Ned, y,.u a, d Ida cine; was 50
afrald you were still in las CITY We
npw oumb-r just twelve altogether
I-;u-t the fi4ure for n Haliow Eve
psrt,
Vlni ie Reeves locked chariuilig az
she entered Squire Corners pxrlor-
Will Mitchell claimed the first dance
and Squire Corners declared that it
made him feel young again To ser
them trip the light fantastic toe"
and when he insisted upon having n
reel just for the sake of ''auld lang
syne,n and actually took his place at
the head, the mirth was uproarious-
Pigeon wing. double Glide aud
the double shuttle; how the steps
come hack TO me = he xciaimed, as
he kept time to the lively measure
of the violins.
Painting and ont of breath, he told
the young people to have the lancers
now, for he could not take another
step even for kindgom.
Ella Corners came up to her father
and smilingly said:
Father, there's an old woman at
the kitchen fire who says she can
tell the fortune of every one who will
let her read his palm Can't we call
her up? Remember, il is Hallow
Eve, and we would enjoy it all the
more"
do, dom cried one and all.
Farmer Corners consented, and
soon Ella returned, accompanied by
al old woman whose palsied form
was feebly supported by staff.
Farmer Corners exclaimed:
well, Mitchell, you take the first
chance let's see what the future
has in store f,r you"
Yes returned the others, aud
Will presented his great, rough.
honest hands 10 the old woman. who
mumbled myst.riously over it, then
with an audible chuckle said:
A wasted life without wife.
Is all 'he fates can offer thee.
"Ha, ha" laughed chorus uf
voices, while Winnie Reeves shud
dered.
"Ella. your turn next" said the
farmer. ''The hest the lardrr affords
witch, if you predict good fate for
my daughter
Ella extended her white hands
and the old woman said in measur-
I'd tones:
King Lears daughters, cruel, heartless were,
Bn, thou, mark We, shall exceed them far.
'-Z,und- !" cried farmer Corners.
N" more snch prophecies. Are you
spirit of darkness come t. hight
u with your mystic saving? Well
have no more of them"
"No-gn on chorused the others.
We dou't believe. a word of them.
Vin: ie, you tr,
The eyes of tie old woman met
those of the maiden as Winnie re-
lucian,ly came forward.
In a monotone the fortune teller
repeated:
Better by far my lips were sealed
Than read the fate see revealed;
Youth nor beauty, station, dover,
Can keep thee from the abduc,or's power
Come, it's time for supper" said
the Squire; and into the dining
room they were marshsk-d.
Seated at the sumptuou- board,
The dread prophecies were soon for
gotten.
Squire Corners cut the great iced
cake. and when Will found a ring
in his piece the laughter was unre-
strained
At last il came time tn say good
hy. Wha' had become of the for
tune teller? had been asked again
and again, but nobody had seen her
depart.
Jingle, jingle. again rang out the
sleigh bells.
"A pleasant journey homeward, !"
was the expressed wish of Ella.
"A fine moonlight night" observ-
ed Ned Burlington, as he helped his
sister into the sleigh. Il say, Will,
YOU and Winnie take a back seat,
and let me have the reins going
I home
Will, seated beside Winnie, slip
pd the ring he had found on her
finger, and whispered that he hoped
soon to be able to have the right to
offer her another. II w fast they
flew over the hard. crisp snow.
"We are approaching Miners Re-
treat. 1t is a dismal place at best, ="
remarked Ida.
She looked around; distinctly she
could see the rough outline of fig
ure in flowing robes running down
the road, then disappearing in the
distance.
Il actually believe the sorcerrss
has frightened you. Winnie. You
have scarcely spoken word since
We .tarted from the Squire's," OH
served Ned.
At parting, Will fingered to say
last whispered word, while Ned re-
marked:
"The horses are very restless"
Winnie listened TO the sleigh bells
AZ their tones became fainter and
fainter; the house seemed very quiz
ct. even the watch dog did not come
tn he carssed; she missed her
mothers usual greeting. As she
stm.d before the mirror brushing out
her bright, golden hair. she beard q
sep.
Mother" she called -llleplne to
,pu; do not disturb yourself"
Hastily coilinp her hair, she took
her night lamp and went into her
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