Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-26

q
| semble Lady Matilda?''
again examined the daguerreotype and an
sweTed le-es only he is q man. Won know
and then he looks jolly instead of so solemn"
My hostess paid little heed to my response
She took the picture out of INV hand and eazed
at 1t in reverie. 81 remember her as if it
were yesterday" she murmured to herself. and
then turning to me, "She had the evil eyel''
Her own eyes glittered with a steely luster az
she spoke and felt very miserable. frightened
and alone did not know why. l had never
heard of the evil eye, but the words had mys-
FERROUS, ominous sound. wished 1 were at
home.
"Woe to him who fell under her curseI'
shouted the little woman in a strained, I'M
natural voice. From that day they pinned and
wept Sleep departed from their eyes. Food
brought them no strength. Their light went
outp'
The last words were spoken in a sepuichrai
whisper. My terror was becoming unbearable.
l was overpowered by a wild, unreasoning
dread. Her eyes, which were fixed upon me-
seemed to hold me. must escape. snatching
up the flowers which lay on my lap and gasp
ing; "Oh. thank-you for-the roses-and 1
must go now" l ran out of the house. As
escaped into the sunlight and air heard in the
same high-pitched theatrical voice, the words:
beware OF the witch's grandson Shun his
evil eye,''
Out in the bright sunshine my terror left me.
but felt depressed and uncomfortable I did
not reason about or try to find the explanation
for the story that had frightened me SO. At 10
we live in an unknown world knew not what
maryels might lie close at hand
My depression was due partly to an over
whelming feeling Of superstitious fear. but in
the midst OF this there was a special and bitter
heartache. What had this unknown person
SAID about Dick Leighton, my Dick Leighton?
she dare call him the witchs grandson and talk
OF his evil eye? l could have cried with grief
and anger. Myproposed expedition with Annie
Davidson for sweet flag was forgotten, and
walked dejectedly home.
AS l neared our house Mr.. Dick Leighton
came out OF our front gate-in those DAYS coun-
try houses had front gates. At the sight of him
my heart rose and shook off its troubles But
when looked up with smile, expecting him
10 speak, he strobe along apparently not seeing
me. His mouth had square, set look and /
saw that his hands were clenched. Nv ewes
filled with hot tears. When had Dick failed
me before? That dreadful old woman had
| somehow put everything wrong. / would 20
and tell my mother all about it,
But my mother was not to be found. 1t was
only after looking over the house that dis
covered her In the guest chamber. She was
shaking out the linen sheets, but as she heard
my step she turned quickly, saying: Ellie, /
am glad you have come home early. We have
Just mad letter from Aunt Maria. She and
Uncle Reuben are coming on the afternoon
stick at. First, l want you to go to the store
and get me some things. Here is the list. And
L wonder where your Aunt Louise is?''
lhere was no time now for condolences.
Uncle Reuben and Aunt Maria were persons of
wealth and importance-for whom too, we had
sincere hking-and when they came to Ches-
ley my mother always wished to welcome
them with a spotless house and dainty fare
For the rest of the day there was no leisure for
anybody. The woman who helped in the
kitchen. Aunt Louise, my mother herself, and
even !, had our hands full | became so mich
interested in the savory cooking, the sweeping
and garnshiug-all the exciting preparations
that for the time my mornings sorrow was
forgotten
TWAS well that was able to enter into the
spirit OF the occasion. for NV Aunt Louise was
not like herself. Usually capable and thought
full, very fairy for bringing about domestic
transforms tons, today she was awkward and
torgetful and so quiet that she seemed like
somebody else At supper-whcn the dis
un2uirned guests had arrived and our best
dainask table cloth was rejecting the glory of
Aunt naria's black silk and Uncle Reuben's
rubicund visage-she sat- a little pale, behind
the preserved plums. and made a great pre-
tense OF beng gay and laxative. But Uncle
Reuben soon discovered that she was not eat
ing; and Uncle Reuben let no discovery pass
uucomuaented upon. He now announced with
hilaritv that Louise in love. He enlarged
on this subject with mild and friendly humor
at which remember | looked very serious
When was a child | often found it hard O
understand what older people were laughing at
In fact grew little sad again in the midst
OF the cheerful talk on the veranda after supper:
and when it WAS time for ne to go TO bed, |
took Aunt Louise aside and gained permission
to sleep With her that night. The peace OF the
quiet. white room crept over my tired spirits
and Was soon fast asleep
When my eyes opened again it was not morn
he y foo lima fhn r
thought it must be in the middle of the night
But there was Aunt Louise at the window in her
dressing sacque, her pretty hair falling about
her shoulders. Once she stretched ont her
arms beseechingly, and then sh- buried her
face in her hands and wept, softly, but oh, SO
despairingly. | was awake in every fiber, but
lay almost breathtess lest she should know that
she was observed.
The young figure bowed in the moonlight
was like & vinion and as | looked at il 1 heard
again the little womans words: Beware Of
the witch's grandson Shun the evil eve,' l
remembered how Dick Leighton had looked when
met him coming away from the house. and
remembered how the little woman had said:
Woe to them who fell under the curse They
pinned and wept. Sleep departed from their
eyes. Their light went QUIT In the depth OF
my child soul l believed that the Leighton
curse had fallen upon my aunt.
was so possessed by the idea-sO lifted out
of myself. as it were-that my reason made not
4 single protest but presently NV affection as
serted itself and whisI cred that Dick Leighton
my dear friend Dick Leghton-couid never
bring evil to anybody. He does not know
what he has done. He does not know he he's
the evil eye. If he only knew how unhappy he
has made nv dear Aunt Louse lie would undo
the mi -chief-he would make her happy again"
And then my resolution formed itself: | would
go to Dick Leighton and tell him the whole
story and then he would set every thing right
l felt that mad the solution of the difficulty
and my pulse stirred with the triumphant
spirit of Joan of Arc. But | was stil Young
and in spite OF my great purpose sleep over
powered me before Aunt Louise left the
window.
Can you imagine q martyr overSleeping or
Joan of Arc late 10 breakfast. The idea is in
congruoCs. but certain il is that did mob open
my eyes next morning until the sun was shin
ing brightly into the room and that when |
went down stairs fonnd the breakfast, later
by an hour out of respect to our visitors well
begun. Uncle Eeuben was talking when 1
slipped into my place. Uncle Reuben was not
infrequently talking. He was born organ
izer-a social being with an overlooking fund of
enthusiasm. This morning he had evidently
rest that it was possible for every one of us 10
star. immediately after breakfast. for an all
day excursion. Failing in this he was now
making plan for carrying out the same idea
somewhat more elaborate!y the following day.
During this conversation | took stolen
glances at my Aunt Louise. She was SO self
possessed and SO apparently engrossed in all
that was going on that ii her eyes had not been