The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-07

me, and answered her very angriIy DO
you suppose don't wish to sleep Just be-
cause 1t is a pretty night" Well, she
exclaimed, you must come with me. for
have an errand for you to perform. II
YOU do as bid. your happiness will be
your lot. Il not, eternal solitude"
We'll" exclaimed, you must he very
wicked | am sure n Is nothing good you
Wish nue. to do Tell me Immediately what
Il Is. Not so fast, my dear" she mock
ingly said "when we are on the way
will tell YOU" She then changed her fairy
wand into broom stick, got upon It her.
self and put me behind her and away we
sailed. over rivers trees, mountains. and
lakes, As we went she unfolded her plan.
Now she said. you are to go TO Hous-
ton, get position where Mr.. Hap dimes,
and In weeks time you are 20 poison
him. DO you heer?" she exclaimed vehe-
mently. ''you are to poison hint Il
shall do nthing o! the kind" exclaimed,
as | seized her by the shoulder and shook
her vehemently Plotting for me to
poison Mr.. Hap. are you? Well, I Will
answer YOU once and for all, will not
commit such a crime. My decision ID UNI
alterabe. Speak no more the words that
implies a crime to one who is ae far from
such horrid deed as you are from taking
your own life"
AS | spoke we passed over the most
beautiful scenery of all. Magnificent pal
aces. lovely flower gardens, smooth lakes.
playing fountains and great forests all
combined, made 1t most beautiful indeed.
Explanations OF admiration, delight and
wonder burst from my lips. And you
think It beautiful. do your she asked.
Beautiful" | cried. 1T is the most love-
ly spot my eyes ever heheld" And here
YOU could have reigned supreme II you
had only complied with my request. But
1t is NOT too late yet to comply with my
request, and you shall be my chief queen
abe said. mol No! did l not say my de-
cision was unalterable? SPEAK TO me NC
more OF this
We left all tho beautiful scenery behind
and came to the most desoate spot ever
saw. We then began TO descend to the
ground All around looked Wild ana
dreary. great high cliffs surrounded the
mansion which TO all appearances had not
an occupant. AS we nearad 1t a little old
woman came forward to meet us and,
bowing low before the old WITCH said: y
await yoar gracious majesty's orders :
"Than my much hated companion anid
she Indicating me with a nod OF her
head, has also refused TO grant my re-
unest Go lock her up In the most desolate
| room in the mansion" She seized mo py
( the arm and dragged me up long flights
/ of stairs end reaching room In the west
/ wing. showed me In and locked the door.
I | fell upon the bed and began sobbins AZ
| / thought Of all my friends and loved ones
/ at home. ] then discovered that was not
/ the only occupant Of the room. youns
! girl of about my age was sitting on the
| side of my bed looking pitylngly ut me
! She told me her name was ltasca "a
4 grone | had found a friend. ! narrated
our ride and conversation But, ex-
claimed II am not going TO stay here.
defy all the witches 10 Christendom to Try
/ and compel mo to do so ! then told nei
INV plan was 20 burn the bars from the
/ window and make a broom stick out OF II
and ride off on t. and asked her II she
would accompany me. she gladly conse ",
cd and We began to feel hopeful. We sei
about burning the bars. Having accom-
plshed this, we were about to start on
when the old witch appeared you az,
tryinp IN escape. are your" She then seized
me by the throat and almost suffocated me
When she turned me loose J seized he s
broom stick and Iiasca and new away IN
satntv am so glad IL was only night
mare. aren't you, ItaHca? Your bewitoneo
tInn Clara Mcbride.