The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-11

young girl, stroking the silken name Of
her pet; you have won my gloves fol
me this morning, and you shall have 8
new silver bit. This ugly curb hurts
my beauty's mouth. There, there" as
the animal began to Snort and Quiver,
whats the matter? What do you see?
There is nothing here to harm you, Ter
ry. Why, Terry
But Fannie's soothing tone broke off
suddenly in cry Of alarm, as she, too,
caught sight of the object that had ter
rified her mare.
Just beside her the heavy under
growth had parted suddenly, and a
weird, ghostly figure appeared, as If
emerging from the earth-a shriveled,
palsied old woman whose still erect
form and flashing eyes seemed in un-
natural contrast to her trembling limbs
and wiZened features-a woman whose
fierce gaze was fixed upon the young
rider with such malignant hate that
even thoughtless Fanny was quick to
recognize and shrink from it appalled,.
$50 you are riding out, my fine young
lady?' mumbled the old crone. show
ing her toothlcss gums in hideous
smile-"riding out this beautiful morn
ing. Maybe you'd cross my hand with
a silver siXpence. and let the old wo-
man tell you your fortune. 1t ought to
be rare one. with such a face and
form as yours Cross my hand, pretty
lady. and let the old woman read your
fortune"
Fannie glanced around her quickly;
Fenton was not yet in sight; Sybirs
warning recurred to her mind and
made her cold with fear; the old wo-
mans glittering eyes, fixed full upon
her. seemed to read her very soul.
She advanced step, and placed her
skinny. yellow hand upon Terry's bri-
die. while she still kept her uncanny
gaze upon Fannie's frightened face.
"Your fine soldier gentleman has
missed his way" she said, with ma.
licious leer. II saw him galloping down
the river lane fiv eminutes ago. What!
are you afraid? Afraid! The daughter
Of the proud, naughty master Of Give
Towers. afraid of an old woman like
me? Ha. ha, ha! Why, your father
would have poor RiZpah's carcass
thrown to the dogs, if she dared to lay
a finger on you. I know him, you see.
Ha. hal" There was something fearful
in the old crone's discordant laugh.
"Yes. yes, know him well!'
1uCu HOu AllOW uc NOuAu ACNC1
harm the old and weak" answered the
young girl, with dignity.
For. with all her childishness. there
was a proud, noble. spirit within Fan
ME Gives breast.
peated the old woman, bitterly-"he
would never harm the old and weak?
Try him. my beautiful lady. Tell him
h So, in, 1,sc nd cc.o
what he will do. Ha. ha! Why, he
crush these palsied bones one by one.
head left. if Robert Give had his
naughty wayv'
Fannie trembled at the old creatures
words She was mad, evidently. None
but mad woman could talk talk thus
wildly of her papa. And, oh, how quiet
and lonely the place was! FeIton
must have lost his way. She must hui
NOR this poor creature; she must try
and get away from her quietly, for
those fierce, eager eyes warned Fannie
that old Rizpah would be dangerous if |
"Tell my fortune for me, won't you?"
she said drawing off her pretty gaunt-
let, and placing silver piece in the old |
withered hand. 81 have never
had it told vet, so be sure you make 1,
1 true one."
With trembling eagerness the old wo.
man clutched the girls snowy hand.
II will make it true enough never
enough! Ha ha! Old Riz
Dah will make it true enoughr'
And still holding the little hand in a |
hnf oil oSv,A, e1, 1,o
gan to humble and mutter over it's del
cate lines. as if repeating some evil in.
:antation.
by the fascination all young
minds feel in such efforts to unveil the
unknown.
Surely, she, whose present was so
bright and full of promise, had only
dazzling hope and happy love to look
forward to in the future.
With q blush and smile, this dar-
ling of fortune lifted the veil of Fate.
"Well. mother, what do you see?" she
asked, gaily.
"What do see?' repeated Rizpah,
slowly lifting her fierce, malignant gaze
to the young girls face. Does the
laughter of Robert Give, the spoiler,
LAc uSulpcls dSh WudI Sccs A1SICAs |
then." she said. sinking her voice to
ow. threatening whisper, that sounded |
to the terrified Fannie like the hiss of u
.eptile before it launches its deadly
sting. II see only poverty, ruin, dis
grace. I see a broken home and a
)lackened name. see false lover, q
'alse friend. false servant. 1 see
1arkened life and broken heart. 1t is
Ha, ha!' Rizpah's. wild laugh |
IF triumph echoed through the woods.
'Enough-aye, enough even for the fair
young daughter Of Robert Give! Not |
[. but the stars Lave said it. 1t is
is enoughr'
"Fenton! Fenton!" shrieked Fannie,
IS that young gentleman's horse at
length appeared through the trees. 20,
Fenton. come-come quick to mel"
s'Call himv' said old Rizpah, with her
malignant laugh-"aye call your fine
lover to your side. He cannot change
The fates-he cannot change the future.
Call him now! Ha ha! the day will
come when you will call him in vain!'
"She is mad she is mad" exclaimed
Fannie whose lovely face was ashen |