St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
THE BEAUTY CHARM.
a Story of Old Virginia
ov MARY KYLE DALLAS.
fGopy1shted.)
HAPPIER VI.

opened my eyes in a wilderness OF
garden, set about by a lockwood hedge, for
all state must have been dream.
Within view was fine old mansion with
most of its doors and windows boarded up.
must have been carried from the cellar
and afterward brought to the spot in which 1
Law, in conveyance of some sort. This had
been done carefully, however. I was lying
81 bench with an old cushion by way of
Kattress, and pillow under my head. My
bag was tucked under this and the handle
fastened to my wrist by an old ribbon.
NV dress was nicely arranged about my
feet, and my hat hung safely up where my
eye must rest upon it.
A packet of food and a bottle of milk had
been placed near.
1 put my hand to my throat. The chain
had not been replaced, but a thick, black cord
was there. 1t ran through hole in the
centre OF something that had the colors OF an
opal. but was not one. 1t was oh!ong In
shane and about an inch long. l knew at
once that it was the charm the witch had
promised to bestow upon me, and which was
to make me beautiful.
With what strange feelings did l regard it,
understood well enough why she had led
me in my unconscious state away from her
cottage The story of the scene in the cellar
might have brought her into serious trouble
if l had told it. She had, l shall never know
how borne me miles away from her place of
residence, entirely out of the county. could
have led no one back to the place, if it had
been my will TO do so. 1 think must have
been brought in a wagon, by night.
The cushion was such as are used on
wagon seats. 1 did not feel ill-used, had
been taken good care of and there were pro-
visions for me.
sat I'D, felt better, tasted the food and
gained strength.
1 Judged by the length of the shadows and
the lights upon the trees, that it was early
in the morning.
For the first time I asked myself ques-
ton or two about the future, and felt a little
startled by the answers / was obliged to give
myself.
What should have resolved to do can
not say, for, as has always been the case in
nv life, my next step was marked out for
me.
As pondered 1 heard the crunch of feet
upon the ground, and looking up, espied :.
tall, dark man, about fifty years old, thin as a
skeleton, and with hollow cheeks and hol-
lower eyes
He wore short cloak and long boots,
sadly out at toes; on his head hat and
feather. at his side a sword. His grizzled
hair foated to the winds, his moustache was
waxed at the ends. He looked like figure
cut from some old picture, and he came on
with sort Of ambling gait that was very
singular.
As soon as he saw me, he paused, struck
an attitude, dotted his hat, bowed, and
approaching ne, flung himself upon one
knee, raised my fingers to his lips and kissed
them. Then, springing up, stepped back a
space, folding his arms and regarding the
bottle of milk and the corn cake with a look
that made me think that he was hungry.
''Thy maidens have served thy banquet
early, lovely lady" he said.
Lovely lady-oh, how the words thrilled
$ me. began to think the spell had worked.
But as / looked at him I saw him lick his
lips. Oh, he was hungry, was sure of that.
SIT is only pone and milk, SIR 1 said, "but
will you please have some?"
81 am honored too highly, lovely lady," he
replied, s'may 1 indeed sit at thy banquet?
Nay, will kneel," and down he went again,
md as placed the pone and the milk bottle
near him, he began to eat voraciously, and
continued to do so until every crumb was
gone.
''Nectar and ambrosia," he cried, s'food for
the gods. am a new man, fit for valiant
deeds in thy service. Most beautiful of
maidens, command me. But I should wear
thy glove, that all may know me thy knight
thy glove, pray"
By this time saw that the poor gentleman
was crazy but could not refuse to give him
one of my little gray, lisie-thread gloves,
which he instantly stuck into his hat-band,
and, to my terror, suddenly drew his sword
from its sheath. However, he only lifted it