Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-09-27
THE WITCH OF ZELL.

The Witch sat placidly sewing in her
doorway when / saw her first looking
like nothing in the world but sonsie
Zetlander of some 40 odd years, with
fresh color and thick coil of raven
black hair half-hidden by her head
gear, bright blue handkerchief
spotted with white | gave her good
morning and asked her If she would
give me a glass of water and ban
mock Of oatcake. as ! had been walk
ing for some hours, and was both
hungry and thirsty.
"And welcome" she said with the
pretty Shetland courtesy, 'if you be
from Ireland, mistress"
II am Irish" | said: but wouldn't
you give an oatcake to an English
woman, my friend? MOI" as she shook
her head resolutely. "And how is
that?"
mo food of my baking will pass
Scots or southern lips" she said
harshly. "Sit We down." pointing to
her own stool; we're fair tired out,
mistress"
laughed family as I accepted the
seat II have been trying to walk
away from myself" l said; "and
though I've tramped through whole
forenoon l haven't done it yet"
"Ah" she said, smiling little, only
with her lips, for her eyes kept their
steady sadness. Its a far way you
have to go, mitress: and You must
walk by night stead O. day. You're
married." glancing down at my I'M
gloved hands. Have We ever borne a
chld?" l looked down Mt my black
dress and nodded silently. The
woman drew in her breath sharply
as If she were hurt at heart. "Ay,"
she said. 80 have I; and lost 1t too.
Poor lassv' and to my intense astonish-
ment she stopped and kissed me once
and again. How old was hep she
went on gravely, taking no heed at the
wonder in my face, "Mine was man
grown. but yours must ha' been but a
BARN: We have the look of BARN
yourself"
Have IT' I said with weary laugh.
An old BARN, I'm afraid. Ny boy
was seven years old"
cay; and your mans alive? Do
know your man? And what for does
he let you come here to dree your
weird alone?"
"My man knows it's the kindest
thing he could do l said. "And
think, perhaps. you know him."
added. a little proudly. "Nearly every
one in the islands knows Hector Mac
Kenneth"
cay do they; he's man!' the
Witch said emphatically as she came
nocks and a big cup of milk. "And
there's never soul in the islands but
he has done kind turn or spoken a
kind word to-even to me-"
why. even to your asked. my
husband has great respect for you;
he told me you were the wisest
woman in the island, Lief"
did he, now? And his brothers
wife!" the witch said musingly.
started. Whose wife? Not Ron
aid MacKenneth's, Ronald that died
in England|
THAT same Ronald she said
quietly. "He died in the south. !
know. and some Southron brought the
news to MacKenneth himself. But
he lies buried away in the south. ]
heard say. Do We know where, Mis-
tress MacKenneth
"No; wish i could tel you, poor
soul" / said pitfully. Il wish /
could help you"
MY bonny Ronald" She said, look
ing out to the blue tumbling waves of
the sound, her eyes grave and sad and
her voice very low. ITS little We
thought of me, but on the day we We're
handfasted and the day We lay a-dy-
ing" Then she bent down little and
looked sharply into my face.
did ever any one in the islands say
to ye that we two were not man and
wife? Did ever MacKenneth himselfT'
"Never MacKenneth." ] said hon
estly.
"Otherg have. though" She looked
sharply at me again; then caught my
hand in hers, and dragged me up from
my seat. "Come WI me, you wife Of
the MacKenneth, and I'll show you
what handfasting means to woman"
drew my cloak round me with my
free hand, and we went slowly to
gether over the scattered rocks and
sand. and down little grassy slope,
till we stood In front Of an upright
stone with a round hole in its center.
There" said the witch, still holding
my hand fast in hers, there's where
we were married, my man and l. See
We here, Eleanor MacKenneth. do you
love your man, or liked We your first
lad bestT'
I cried in my heart to the dead ana
gone Oscar to forgive me. and then
/ looked the woman fairly in the eyes,
and answered her: Il love MacKen-
meth best
Where were We married? In kirk,
or courseT'
I'm kirk, yes. We were married In
London church" said, "the church
OF st. Stephen"
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