The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-09-25

round her shoulders, while her bear
ing possessed singular dignity and
power.
As the two entered, without altering
her position save by slightly turning
her head, she said:
AN what may We want here?"
sour fortunes, if you please, Elspie
no MORE" replied Erma, in gentle
tones. Il and my friend were sure
you would not refuse u.s."
Refuse ye! Wherefore should I?
Ye are Miss Ermina Ray, of Estabrooke.
Ye may cen sit there" and she ex-
tended her lean arms to n settee at the
other side of the hearth.
aye need ma think O. disturbing
Elspie. Elspie a. her ain thoughts to
occupy her, which your clavers, if ma
too loud, will ma disturb. So ye maun
ma disturb her, and she'll ma disturb we
for a little"
Saying these words with an almost
naughty hospitality, she bent her gaze
again on vacancy; and, apparently in
stantly forgetting their presence, sat
silent and thoughtful, save when be-
heath her breath she abruptly crooned
forth some wild, glowing, heart-stir-
ring. or weird, sobbing, wailing Gaelic
verse.
Erma Ray, pressing Harry's arm to
warn him to make no remark, as she
saw by the wonderful expression he was
about to do, drew him to the settee,
where they sat down side by side, talk
ing in whispers.
This was a new phrase in Highland
life to the young man, and he could not
resist commenting upon it. He had
heard of Elspie, the spaewife, but this
was the first time he had beheld her.
"She is in brooding fit" whispered
Erma, when they say IT'S dangerous to
question her if you would have bright
future"
"The ignorant superstition of the
peasant, smiled Harry.
Il scarcely know" responded Erma,
gravely. "Ithave heard that some of
her prophecies for good and for i'll have
come true"
Ever and anon the bright eyes of the
spae-wife were turned for second
upon them.
J "Dinna trust the future that's
marked for We, lassie; it's mo- to be
trusted. Ye are Draw, bonnie chiel,
but there Is sair sorrow in store for ye.
Dinna believe the laddie ye're pledged
to-hell deceive We! He'll cause yer
heart to greet sairly-sairly. There is
blood upon his hands-such crime that
a dagger Will be plunged into his
breast. All the future is sac full O.
clouds, but L can see the sun, lassie.
Twill shine onye and the ane ye're with
to-day. Yell marry him some day,
lassie, an happy life yell live. After
the other ane Is dead, for 1 maun tell
We there's murder this day ON his soul"
ooh, Elspiep cried Erma, turning
pale, and covering closer to the side
of the settee.
At length both rose from the: settee,
confronting the woman. She, too, had
risen while speaking, and now, drawn
to her full height, her eyes wild as a
second Cassandra, her long arms
tossed, seemed indeed the awful repre-
sentative of Fate. Even the young
gentleman was awed, though he said,
sternly:
"This is poor hospitality, Elspie."
Its ma by my ain will, laddie," re-
torted the woman, mournfully. 81 maun
speak that which is sent to my tongue.
1 say dinna trust in the future we are
thinking O., lassie, for it's ma true.
He'll cause We sair, sair pain and
greetings"
Her manner increased in wildness
her excitement was insanity, and both
her guests felt it their desire to start for
home. After crossing her palm twice
with silver, Harry drew Erma's arm
within his and led her to the door.
The two, quitting the shealing, has
tened down the mountain path, but had
not reached their horses, when series
of means, groans, wailings, and shrieks
filled the air, proceeding from all di-
rections, seemingly.
"Oh, Harry, what is that?" exclaimed
poor Erma, covering her face with her
hands.
Il do not know" responded Harry
unless the cave harbors band of gyp-
sizes. And yet have never seen any,
or heard of any being around. Our
spaewife resemble one to me, L must
say. Strange, strange!"
Let us hurry, please, and get away
from here. This whole place seems to
be infested by demons"
"My poor girl, do not wonder that
you think SO! Yes, let us hasten"