Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-09-27
THE PROPHECY.

Five years since, while soJOurning rev
weeks In London, had an invitation from
a gentleman who owned large and hand
some estate, with an elegant old mansion
house upon IL, that had been for many
years the horao Of his ancestors, and his
family consisted of a son % years of age
and two daughters, respectively Is and 20.
His wife had been dead for some years.
A warm welcome awaited me upon my
arrival, and ere l had been an hour In the
house felt at home and not as stranger
In strange land. The days passed pleas
sntly In hunting and fishing and making
and receiving visits in the neighborhood.
Between Bertram Sutherland-the son OF
my old friend-and myself there sprangu
q firm friendship, and as came to know
him better l appreciated more and more
his noble qualities. He was generous to a
fault, open in his manner, and none who
knew him could fail to admire and respect
him.
He had, however, one great fault, and q
strange one, too, for q man Of his culti-
waited mind and general information. and
that was belief In superstition from
which no arguments or ridicule could turn
him.
The clock was striking midnight when q
loud knock was heard at the door, and the
butler upon answering IL found standing
there a miserable looking old gypsy wom-
an, who asked permission to come In and
tell the fortunes Of the young people pres
ent.
There was a unanimous cry for all TO ad-
init her, and stalking in by the butler she
walked up to the fire, and after glancing
into the burning Goals for few moments
without speaking turned to the silent as
sembly and said in a grooming voicei
II read in these embers pages from the
book Of futurity, and all here present have
their names engraved therein"
Then addressing Addis Sutherland she
continued
stand forth, pretty lassie, and hear what
old Gipsy Laurie has to say to you. / see
clouds and sunshine before you. but each
cloud has silver lining that tempers its
gloom, 30 that you will tread mainly In
glowing paths and journey down the vale
Of life hand In hand with one who loves
you.
"And you," addressing another girl,
will lead a life Of Joy and have loving
children TO cling around your knee. But to
you, sir, can not predict always good luck.
Changes will come, and II rests with your
self either to conquer or be conquered"
Here grave voice interfsred and turned
the hag's attention from ms.
"Gypsy Laurie, tell my fortune"
1t was Bertram Sutherland that spoke,
and felt regret at seeing him come for
ward toward the old woman, for knew
whatever she said to him would make an
impression upon his superstitious nature.
"Yes, I'll tell your fortune. But 1t had
best remain untold, for dark blood spots
rest upon the future. see In you vio-
tim and q sudden, fearful death In for
eign land, alone and at night, when no
friendly ear will hear your death cry, and
where the wild beasts of the forest will
howl your requiem"
BE still, woman, and cease this mock
eryl" exclaimed, positively frightened by
the deadly pallor that overspread Bertram's
face.
His father noticed 1t also, and giving the
old gypsy a guinea ordered the butler to
take her out and have her well cared for
for the night.
Two weeks longer I remained with my
friends and then started for London, as II
was my intention to leave In a short time
for the east. Before leaving, however, had
a long talk with Bertram and was aston
ished and panied to see what deep i'm
preston the old gypsy words had made
upon him. / tried to laugh him out Of It,
telling him she had given me a cheerful
future to anticipate. but be was serious
and warned me not to regard what she had
said too lightly.
We parted the best of friends-he to re-
turn to bis home, and / TO start upon my
travels through eastern lands In quest Of
pleasure and adventure.
Two years more were added to my age
when found myself in Australia. l had
kept up a regular correspondence with Ber-
tram Sutherland. and the last letter / had
received from him was from Sydney, where
he had gone the year before to look after
some business for his father.
He urged me to visit him at the planta-
tion Of his uncle, who had been living In
the country a number Of years, and prom
ised me kangaroo hunt il would come.
could never resist temptation, 80 yield
ed and sailed from the seaport town In Aus
tralia nearest to which his uncle's planta-
tion was situated.
Procuring horse and getting directions
how to proceed, started upon my way to
the place, though it was late in the even
ing.
Night overlook me upon the lonely,
4
SO much as had anticipated at starting
out, for it was not a pleasant sensation to
find myself alone in an unknown country
and knowing that nearly dozen miles lay
between me and my destination.
Twas riding along slowly, thought dream
ing, when through break In the forest
the moonlight fell upon white object ly-
ing upon the ground, while my horse, dis
covering 1t at the same moment as myself,
wheeled so suddenly as nearly to unseat
me. ] drove the spurs into his sides and
forced him near the object and saw that it
was the form of man.
Isprang to the ground, and leaning over
the body placed my hand upon his heart.
1t had ceased to throb with life, and my
hand was wet with blood. turned the
face toward the moonlight, and the wide
open, sightless eyes of Bertram Sutherland
looked into mine.
was horror stricken, and . weakness
came over me that made me think was
going to faint, but by a strong effort re-
covered myself, and looking down upon
the body of my poor murdered friend
thought:
"The gypsy's prophecy has been fulfilled
Alas, poor Bertramp'-Toronto Mail
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