Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-09-27
THE WITCH OF YELL.

The witch sat placidly sewing in her
doorway when l saw her first, looking
like nothing in the world but soncie
Zetlander of some 40 odd years, with a
fresh color and thick coil of raven
black hair half hidden by her headgear,
bright blue handkerchief spotted with
white. 1 gave her good morning and
asked her if she would give me glass
of water and hammock of oatcake, as I
had been walking for some hours and
was both hungry and thirsty.
"And welcome" she said, with the
pretty Shetland courtesy, "if you be
from Ireland, mistress.
81 am Irish," said, "but wouldn't
you give an oatcake to an English wom-
an, my friend? No?" as she shook her
head resolutely. "And how is that?"
"No food of my baking will pass
Scots or Southron lips" she said harsh
ly. "Sit ye down." pointing to her own
stool. "Ye're fair tired out, mistress. !"
l laughed family as l accepted the
seat. II have been trying to walk away
from myself" said, 'and though I've
tramped through whole forenoon I
haven't done it yet"
"Ah" she said, smiling a little-only
with her lips, for her eyes kept their
steady sadness. 'It's a far way you
have to go, mistress, and you must walk
by night stead O. day. You're mar
ried," glancing down at my ungloved
hands. "Have ye ever borne child?"
I looked down at my black dress and
nodded silently. The woman drew in
her breath sharply as if she were hurt
at heart. aye" she said, $50 have l,
and lost it too. Poor lassp' And to my
intense astonishment she stopped and
kissed me once and again. How old
was he?" she went on gravely, taking
no heed at the wonder in my face,
"Mine was man grown. but yours
must la been but bairn. Ye have the
look Of bai-n yourself. :"
"Have I?' I said, with a dreary
laugh. "An old BARN, I'm afraid. Ny
boy was Z years DID,"
"Aye, and your mans alive? Do ]
know your man, and what for does he
let you come here to dree your weird
aIone?"
"My man knows it's the kindest thing
he could do," said. "And think per
haps you know him" !" added, little
proudly. "Nearly every one in the is
lands knows Hector MacKenneth.
cay, do they. He's a mani" the witcf
said emphatically, as she came out O.
the cottage with a plate of bannock
and big cup of milk. "And there''
never soul in the islands but he ha
done kind turn or spoken kind wore
to-even to me-"
"Why even to your asked. "M,
husband has great respect for you. Fl,
told me you were the wisest woman il
the islands. Lief. -
"Did he, now? And I his brother
wifep' the witch said musingly.
started. Whose wife? Not Ronalt
Observation-Disclosures that died il
England?"
"That same Ronald" she said quiet
ly. He died in the south, know, ant
some Southron brought the news t.
MacKenneth himself. But he lies buriet
away in the south, heard say. Do y
know where, Mistress MacKenneth?'
"No; wish I could tell you, poo
SOUL" I said pitifally. "I wish coult
help you"
'My bonny Ronald" "she said, look
ing out to the blue, tumbling waves o
the sound, her eyes grave and sad ant
her voice very low. cts little y
thought Of me, but on the day we wer
handfasted and the day ye lay a-dy
ing" Then she bent down little an,
looked sharply into my face.
"Did ever any one in the islands sa
to ye that we two were not man an
wife? Did ever MacKenneth himself?'
''Never MacKenneth, ~ said honest
ly.
''Others have, though" :" She locke
sharply at me again, then caught m
hand in hers and dragged me up fror
my seat ''Come wi me, you wife G
the MacKenneth, and I'll show yo
what handfastin9 means to woman
Txvo Tivea Gavad