Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-24

tures of the elder woman, whose eyes
deeply sunken In her head slittered
with a. hawk-like and evil lustre' AZ
they rested on the PROSTATE figure be-
fore her. When she spoke, her accents
were harsh and commanding.
GLOW long?" she said, how long
must | wait? How long must | watch
the work of Satan IN the land? The
fields are barren and will not bring
forth: the curse of bitter poverty Is
upon us all; and only he, the pagan
Guldmar, prospers and gathers In har-
vest, while all around him starve! Do
I not know the devils work when
see it,, the chosen servant OF the
Lord?" And she struck tall staff
she held violently into the ground to
emphasize her words. Am | not left
deserted in my age? The child Britta,
sole daughter of my sole daughter, -
rs she not stolen, and kept from me?
Has not her heart been utterly turned
from mine? All through that vie
witch, --accursed of God and man!
She It is who casts the blight on
| our luUuJ SIG " 10 Wio hiahSo 'iS
hands and hearts OF our men heavy and
careless, 80 that even luck has LETT
the fishing; and yet you HESITATE you
delay, you will not fulfill your promise!
| tell YOU, there are those In B0sekop
who, at my bidding, would cast her
naked into the Fjord, and leave her
there to sink or swim according to her
nature!"
Il know" murmured Ulrika humbly.
raising herself slightly from her kneel-
Ing posture; II know it well! but,
good Loyisa, be patient! | work for the
best! Mr.. Dyceworthy will do more for
uc than we can do for ourselves; he
! Is wise and cautious"
| Lovisa interrupted her with a fierce
gesture. Fool" she cried, What need
of caution? A witch Is Il witch,-burn
her, drown her! There is no other
remedy! But two days since, the child
of my neighbor Eugla passed her on
| the Ford; and now the boy has slcken
ed OF some disease. and It's said he will
die Again, the drove o. cattle owned
by Hildmar Bjorn were herded home
when she passed by Now they are
seized by the murraiu plague; Tell
your good saint Dyceworthy these
things; If he can find no cure, can,
and will"
Ulrka shudderel slightly as she rose
! from the ground and stood erect,
! drawing her shawl closely about her,
! You hate her SO much, Lovisa?" she
asked, almost timidly.
Lovisa's face darkened, and her yell
low, claw-like hand closed round her
strong staff in cruel and threatening
manner
Hate her!" she muttered, Il have
hated her ever since she was born!
| hated her mother before her! nest
of devils. every one of them; and the
curse will always be upon us while
they dwell here"
She paused and looked at Ulrika
steadily.
"Remember!" she said, with an evil
lcer on her lips, Il hold a secret OF
yours that Is worth tho keeping! l
give you two weeks more; within that
time You must act! Destroy the witch
bring back to mo my grandchild
Britta or olse-it will be my turn"
And sho laughed silently. Ulrkas
face grew paler, and the hand that
Igrasped the folds Of her shawl tremblcd
violently. She made an effort. how
ever, to appear composed, as she
have sworn to obey you, Lovisa,
and | will. But tell me one thing
how do you know that Thelma Guild
mar Is indeed u witch?"
How do | know" almost yelled
Lovisa Have lived all these years
for nothing? Look at her Am like
her? Are YOU like her. Ale any of the
honest women of the neighborhood
knives and pins, prick her, and see II
the blood will ilow! | swear II will not
not one drop Her skin is white;
there is TO blood in those veins only
fire! Look at the pink In her checks
, the transparency of her flesh, the
Elllttl lHE hshI III NNtS, llt SplN
OF her hair,--it is all devils work. II
is not human, II is not natural have
, watched her.-l used to watch her
, mother. and curse her every time
saw her--ay! curse her TN | was
, bfeathless with cursing"
, She stopped abruptly. Ulrika gaSet
, at her with as much wonder MS he,
! plain heavy face was capable of OK
, pressing. Lovisa saw the look ant
smiled darkly
| "One would think you had neve
I known what love Isl" she said Will
i 4 sort OF grim satire In her tone, "Nc
n even your dull soul was on fire once
4 But when | was young, had beaut.
o such ms you never had, and love,
= Olaf Guldmar."
! ulrika uttered an exclamation q
II establishment, You! and yet you hat
! him now?"
\ Lovisa raised her hand with an i'm
J, perious gesture.
e Il have grown hate like flower Il
!. NV hrnnnt - Va said with a sort =,