Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-01-13
MADAME HATHERTON.
BY MRS. CLARA MEEWIN.

1t was crisp. clear, cold day in De-
cember, two bright and pretty girls
were walking brislly over the frozen
ground in the outskirts of country
village, their steps keeping time, and
the pit-pat OF their walking boots max
ing pleasant music to it, They had
walked for some distance in silence,
but presently the taller of the two, a
dark, handsome girl somewhat naughty
IN her look and carriage, said to her
companion; "If it were not that J. en-
Joy the walk, Ruth, L would protest
against it. Here we are a mile away
from The village and you won't tell me
why you go prancing Off on a visit to
this old lady-Madam Hatherton is it
you call hcr?-or what claim she has
upon your time and attention.
"Why, Laura, dear, she has the claim
of age and loneliness. Surely that is
enough, if there were nothing else"
ooh, you sly puss! You must have
your little mystery, with your nothing
more Now do tell me what is the
nothing--or something
well, l will; but I'm afraid you'll
laugh at me. That's why Ihaven't told
you before. lido hate to be laughed at"
Ruth Marvin added, with ludicrious
earnestness.
Miss Fullerton suppressed dispo-
sition to indulge in tho nnwelcome
sound, and slipping Ruth's hand be-
meath her arm, held it there, while she
said soberly: "Why, bless the dear
child SO does everybody hate to be
laughed at. 1t makes me just furious.
SO bring forth your confidence; L
pledge myself; not to smile even,-no
not If it be tale of that wonderful
.second-sight You sometimes possess. {"
Indeed, it is something like it,
Laura; but ever since old Madam
Hatherton came here, and ever since 1
first laid eyes Oh her. [ have felt sort
of call to protect her; and ever since
first entered her dwelling something
seems to say to me every time [ cross
The threshold: "A dark tragedy hovers
over this house, Which you may avert
il you heed the warning.
Miss Fullerton gave u little shudder,
half real, half 1nake-believe. "Well, ,"
she said, 81 declare you have made my
blood run cold; and how far orc we now
from this abode of mystery?"
"There it is, that little low house. I"
She pointed as she spoke to small,
square, low house. 1t was stone, only
one-story in height and dark and
weather beaten with the storms of many
winters.
Good gracious! Does she live there
sslone--so far away from other houses 2"
exclaimed Laura Fullerton.
Yes, quite alone; and you will be
surprised TO see how prettily appointed
the house is inside. She attends to
everything herself, for nothing will in
ducc her to keep servant or even
chore-woman.
What a queer old woman!"
Queer; that's just what she is;
everybody calls her queer, and some
people used to say worse, till they got
accustomed to her ways.
BY this time the girls reached the
house, and Ruth, after giving loud
rap on the door, lifted the latch and in
vited her friend to enter. Miss. Fuller
ton did so. "Perhaps she is not at
home, Ruth" she said.
ooh yes, she is: the house is always
locked up in her absence. She'll he
here in a moment, for she knows who
her visitor is, no one else ever comes"
Miss Fullerton, now becoming accus-
toned to the semi-gloom of the room,
noticed that it was not only well but
richly furnished; handsome cnrpet
cover 4 the floor; the furniture was of
the luxurious description known as
Turkish, and covered with tapestry of
rich hues. a quaint, old-fashioned
Z nno occupied tho place of honor in
:. Q room; some pictures. which Miss
j Horton recognized MS rare and valu-
.s,ie, adorned the walls: heavy damask
.s,irtains draped the windows, and were
slightly drawn back with cords, Just
revealing the lace curtains that waved