The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-30

gratitude of mothers heart"
Il had a son once meself,'' replied the
witch, in a low harsh voice.
IF he lives, only tell me what 1 can do
for him.
His father deserted me. an the boy died
from want"
Something in the woman's hard, cold tone
filled the countess with fear and pain, but
again she overcame her feelings.
Then you know the anguish of a mother
whose only child is threatened by death"
II do. You wish your son to live?'
Il would give all l have to see him we'll"
"Tnen he'll not die this many q year.
The countess looked and saw this strange
woman's eyes fastened on the I,atient great
gray eyes full of power, with light in them
that spoke of madness; eyes that seemed to
see strange sights. And whilst she gazed on
the lad she took from her breast a small
parcel wrapped in black silk. Carefully un-
folding this, she disclosed a human hand,
large and well shaped. the hand of a man,
showing no sign of decay. save that the skin
had become shriveled and discolored.
The two women watched her in silent
fascination, not without a sense of horror
and a vague feeling that something strange
and supernatural was about to happen. The
lights were carefully shaded, and the great
room was full of brooding shadows; the
faint moaning of the rising wind across the
melancholy moors alone broke the throb-
bling silence. And as they gazed at her
holding this weird object, it seemed sudden
ly to throb with life, to swell in size, to re-
gain it's natural color. Muttering words in
comprehensive TO her hearers, the witch
laid the hand upon Lord Rosneath's neck.
AS she did, his mother gave a startled cry.
for to her bewidered mind the fingers had
seemed for a brief second to CULVER with
life and clutch the white rounded throat
of her boy.
A thought so weird could merely be the
result of nervousness bordering on madness.
When she looked again the hand was mo-
tOness. Suddenly the lad sighed profoundly,
and then lay calm as the dead. With swift
action the witch snatched the hand away,
and wrapping it in silk, thrust it into her
breast Her sons inanimate appearance sug-
gested another fearful thought TO his
mother, awed and distracted as she was.
You have killed him. He is dead!" she
cried out, addressing the dark and dreaded
woman, who, thrusting out a lean bare arm,
prevented the countess from throwing her
self across the bed.
Look" said the uncanny creature. point
ing TO his lordships face. into which color
was slowly returning. No sooner had she
spoken than he moved his head, opened his
eyes, and looked wonderingly at those
around him, then fell into peaceful sleep.
"He will live" she said nodding her head.
and giving vent to a low eldritch laugh Of
self-satisfaction.
What can L do for you? Only tell me
how can repay you" said the countess in
an outburst of gratitude.
III take no payment. It's tonight I've
done what / waited to do this many a
day." replied the witch, preparing to de-
part.
You will at least, accept my thanks
wait awhile until you see how its de-
served them / have" the witch answered,
and something ominous underlying her
words chilled her hearers.
Without further utterance she strobe from
the quiet chamber, followed by Mamie.
Apparently she knew her way by this
private passage full we'll. AS she came to
the pastern in the tower and stepped into
the fresh air she threw back the hood of her
cloak and inhaled deep-drawn breath.
The night was still dark. the atmosphere
charged with storm; away in the undis-
tingushable distance the wind was wailing
as with requiem notes. AS Mamie held a
lamp above her head she saw the witch
reckoning her out into the night. She set
down the lamp on the stone steps, ana
obeyed the gesture crossing herself under
the folds Of her shawl.
you've done wonders tonight she re-
marked, conciliatingly, AN it's your re-
ward you'll get fourfold."
AN it's me reward I'll get sooner than
you think" replied the witch.
Sure yours is the wonderful gift any
how"
Not mine, but the dead hand; it's that
does me work"
TT must be blessed relic"
The witch laughed wildly, and so fearsome
was the sound that it's hearers blood ran
cold.
"An' would you like to know whose hand
it is Mamie Gavin?' she asked, her shrill
voice rising above the wind. Then, I'll tell
you. It's the same as put the ring on that
young woman's finger; it's the fathers hand
I've laid upon his sons neck this night.
Mamie drew back in horror Its not
true: sure it's crazy you are entirely" she
answered forgetting all dread of the witch
woman whose eyes were shining with the
light of delirium.
Maybe it's mad am, but L spake truth
for all that. You knew the lord of Rosneath
was me lover, an wren he died L swore to
have somethin' belongin' TO him. Night
after night / stole into the vault, where he
lay lonesome i'm the dark and cowld l forced
his coffin open, an l cut his hand from his
body. With me spells L gave it life-you
saw it move tonight, woman, it jumps
against me ovid heart now. See. see, see;'
and the witch pointed TO her bosom that
was heaving from excitement
Lord save us!' muttered Mamie,
family.
Me Lord didn't save him." the witch re-
piled. pointing with her bare arm to the
room where lights burned dim.
But he lives
The bag laughed derisively.
THE Lord didn't save him. the witch re-
piled, "choked him at me biddin'-you saw
him die sure enough
but we left him asleep protested
Mamie, who now more than ever believed
the witch woman was mad.
did We thought the wretched creature
answered with a leer. LAS sure as you're
there, Mamie Gavin, the young lord is
dead, but when his spirit left his body i
put a devil in its place. The body is there
1