The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-31
A MIDNIGHT QUEST.

girls 2'' queried Uncle Zeke from the Chin
uey corner.
Il say" responded Cleo, that 1 wouldn't
be afraid to go down to the old Wiley
house at midnight St. Valentines eve aud
walk down cellar backward with looking
glass and candle"
Expecting 10 see the face of her future
husband" interposed Sue. ~ should ex-
pect to see old Willey's ghost peering over
my shoulder"
Pm not anxious to see the face of my
future husband" Cleo retorted smartly. II
only want to prove my courage-to celebrate
st. Valentines day in approved fashion"
''I1l wager $40 you dasn't 60" remarked
Uncle Zeke.
"I'n stake my amethyst ring that I dare.
Here's my hand"
You MUST fetch one o. them mangel-wur-
zels in the baT'I side O. the potato bin SOS
we'll know you went clear down cellar"
said Uacle Zeke.
Not word Of this" Cleo cautioned in a
whisper, they heard a hand fumbling
for the latch in the little dark entry.
. "Cappn Luxe" said Uncle Zeke, with a
sly glance at Cleo The next moment the
young man opened the door. II was quite
tire custom in this Cape Cod town to omit
the ceremony oil knocking.
An impressive element seemed TO have
entered the room with this good-looklng
young captain. The usual witticisms did
not fash Sfound. Cleo was absorbed in the
long strip of worsted that made crimson
lie down her while apron. Sue figeted in
her see.t and proposed game of eucnre.
Gees mind was running upon that sleigh
= I.ie with Captain Luke the last evening.
He had come peTilously near 10 proposal
Of marriage. Had she been wise or foolish
to ward it off so indiferenuy? His manner
mads her slightly uneasy.
Pshawl What did she care anyway
She Sqew she had firted with him a little
this Cape Cod town was so pOky in the
FsEInIer-but that was no excuse for his pre-
Stunning to think she would marry him.
When her fathers reVeTse5 came she had
been sent there 10 spend a few weeks with
,lbeen scarcely aware before. They had well
= ssmed her with open aims and she had
found much diversion among them.
Ii was not pleasant TO be almost ignored
tonight by Captain Luke. She thought of
the wealthy sutton she had left behind 10
the city. albeit old and ugly, and was half
inclined to write tnat very night and accept
him.
The eve of St Valentine was mild for the
season. Shortly before midnight woman
in dark garb issued from Uncle Zeke's shed
door and walked of toward the old Wiley
house.
Cleo took the path to the left. where the
old W Hey house stood dark and lone, and
stood upon the fiat stone before the low red
door.
The windows were all boarded. Cleo had
explored the place with Sue by daylight and
knew all its hooks and corners.
Size unlocked the door and stepped into
ths entry. Her heart was beating quite
evenly. She had been in a daring mood
ever since that night Of the sleighride. and
this occasion had furnished al escape-Yalve
for her feelings.
She lighted the candle and pushed open
he kitchen door. On the threshold she
AtOpped in establishment. In the cavernous
fireplace opposite the door huge fro was
roaring and cracking, flooding the room
with light and eclipsiug her candle.
She walked up TO the fire. A big round
kettle hung from the rusty crane, bubbling
and Kissing like the witches ealdron in
Macbeth.
Her usually calm common sense was held
in allegiance. She seemed to be breathing
an enchanted atmosphere. Yet she was far
from fear.
At length she recollected her errand and
opened the cellar door. a gust Of damp air
made her lamp flicker.
She did not waVer. She peered down into
the darkness, then adjusted her glass and
candle and commenced the backward de-
SCENT the cobwebs covering her cloak with
fantastic tracery.
She kept her eyes upon her own reflection
In the glass until she had reached the
bottom Of the stairs. As she stood
there a momeHt e face appeared in the
mirror beside her own, then vanished sud
denly.
Something like faintness came over her.
But she lesisted, found barrel OF maugel-
WuTZels, snatcbed one up, assembled the
stairs quickly, and set down the candle.
stick.
The lurking superstition which beats with
the blood OF every one of us, deny it is as we
gay, was tightening its hold upon her
enc did not feel in hurry to leave the
pace. A dreamy Influence enveloped her
he agencies we call supernatural seemed
the only realities.
She halt expected TO see band of witches
appear and join hands around the caldron.
she could scent some presence near her.
ana when rather fantastic old woman,
9eDt with age, In red cloak and huge poke
bonnet, stepped from a recess behind the
fireplace and without glancing at her
stepped up and stirred the caldron, NUT
tering to herself as she did 80, Cleo was not
much surprised.
She had not baIgained for anything half
80 weird and romantic. Perhaps this was
Peggy Piper, the fortune-teler, who, it was
reported, held midnight conclayes with the
powers of darkness.
Can you read my future for meP" Cleo
asked abruptly.
The crone turned toward her, with eyes
burning darkly In the depths of the caver-
mons bonnet.
You seek to know the futures" she
q9eiLieu, IN thin. high-pitehed voice, and
Win tremulous Quaver. 81 will read your
Destiny" and she turned again tn the
eG!dron, while Cleo drew nearer, strangely
fascinated.
Proud" the sybil muttered, Ambitious,
selfish. Your fortune is not SO bright,
young lady, that you need be anxious to
forecast it," ~
Haven't as fair chance for happiness
as other people?" Cleo demanded.
NO. You're going to sell yourself for
nne house in the city and a carriage and
d'ahohds' You are mercenary and heart