The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1902-02-28
The Witch 81 the
Charles River


Yorke. yeung uman Of twenty, 1.-THE
and strong, dropped the spoon with
which he mad eaten his porridse and,
taking > pair of skates from a closet.
begun to buckle them ontlais feet.
..Yon are going to see the witch. I
suppose" SAID his mother
"Ann Is not witch" he replied
"H'mr' said his mother, beginning
10 clear the table. "She has at least
bewitched you"
The young man made no reply. BE
was troubled. He knew the reports
current about the girl who had fascl.
mated him and was affected by them.
Nevertheless he went on putting his
skates to his feet.
Ann HOLSTER will wreck your soul"
pursued the mother, setting her jaws
firmly.
.why do you think SO. mother"
mo such thing as q Bible is to be
found in her house."
Pcrcival arose and went to the door.
As he stood looking out ON to the moon
Lit ice that covered the river he shud-
dered. Something told him that his
mother was rlght-he had better keep
away from Ann Hollister.
AAnd you will so. my boyT
al must. 1 promised to go tonight"
Perciyal went out to the margin Of
the river, n few rods distant. and once
on the ice glided away. 1t was SIX
mile skate TO Ann's home. but the Ice
was SO smooth and his limbs so long
and sinewy that he covered the dis
tance in a ahort time. Reaching the
place, a hut no larger thnn his own,
sPercival knocked at the door and was
admitted. Ann lived with her grand
father and grandmother who sat one
ON each side Of the great fireplace
warming Their hands. Ann led her
lover into the kitchen. Hers was
little, wiry figure, with white lace
and PROPULSION Of black hnir.
Ann" said Perclval, Il was thinking
while coming in what chapter Of the
sacred book IL to be found the parable
Of the sower."
at don't know, Percival."
AGet the Bible and let US find out"
..The Bible IS leaned. Perclval. Come
and sit by me-" And, taking her lovers
hand, she attempted to draw him down
beside her on an oaken bench.
mot 90. Ann. would not ait In A
house where there fs no Bible"
He turned from her and strooeJto;the
door. Ann followed him. trying tosdis-
suade him from his course. Perdyal
vas frm, but before leaving he turned
and gave Ann his hand. In moment
he was drawn down and his lips were
glued to hers. Il was as IL sudden
warm blast had arisen to sweep away
his faculties. 4.
..Let me go! he cried. II will esme
again when the Bible 10 returned"
: At the mention of the sacred beck
his will came back to him, and, turn
Ing away. he staggered TO the Ice apd
aed.
Although It was six miles to his
home. following the route over which
the ice was smooth, it was bat four IL
he chose at times TO cross the current
where there were gaps. He started I'M
determined which route TO take, blrt
presently. hearing the sound OF skates
cutting the smooth surface. he.loOked
bnck. and there behind him came the
witch. With fresh viSor he turned his
face in straight line with his home.
Now and again he would turn 10 cast
terrified glance over his shoulder and
see the sprite figure Of Ann HOLSTER
coming after him. He kept Il close
watch ahead for breaks In the ice and
soon came 10 one. II was but two
yards wide and easily jumped. After
he was over 1t he turned and watched
10 see Ann pass 1t. When she reached
strokes in the least, sailing across like
the witch she was. Then Percival came
to n second rift. larger than the first.
This he jumped. and his pursuer also
passed over 1t, though when she reach
ed the farther side Percival thought
she slipped and sta ggered. But at that
moment he happened 10 have the Bible
In his mind. and to this he attributed
her discontinue. At last they came Ia
the main rift In their way, but few
hundred yards from Percivals home
The great yawning gulf sent terror 10
his heart: but, fixing his mind on tie
holy book. he put on all speed and went
safely over. Ann was now close be
hind. Presently he heard u shrek and
splash aud Help me. Percival!"
That cry from the girl who had be-
witched him sounded strangely human.
Turning. he slated back, and there,
clinging 10 the thin edge of the ice
nearest him. was Ann, struggling TO
reach place that would not break IN
der her pressure. Percival went to her.
held out his hand and rescued her.
keeping his mind on the Bible TO pre-
vent his also breaking the ice. Then
the two skated for his home.
When Mistress Yorke saw the witch
coming in dripping, she held up her
hands. Nevertheless Ann was pro-
vided with dry clothes. and when she
had drunk something hot aud was
seated before blazing fire she said:
"Percival, go to my dress and bring
me what you hnd in the pocket"
Percival. did as he was bid and
brought a small volume. Turning over
the leaves till she came to the place
she wished to find. Ann read:
aGTud0o MT that ra ho mt itdwadp