Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-21
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
The Witch of the
Charles River
IOriginaI.l

and strong. dropped the spoon with
which he had eaten his porridge and,
taking pair of skates from a closet,
began to buckle them on his feet.
You are going TO see the witch, 1
suppose" said his mother
"Ann is not a WITCH" he replied.
"H'mr' said his mother. beginning
to clear the table. "She has at least
bewitched you"
The young man made no reply. He
was troubled. He knew the reports
current about the girl who had fasci-
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 a Bible is to be
found in her house"
Percival arose and went to the door.
AS he stood looking out on to the moon
lit ice that covered the river Ire shud-
1ered. Something told him that his
mother was right-he had better keep
away from Ann HollisteF.
"And you will go, my boy?"
Il must. l promised to go tonight"
Percival went out to the margin Of
the river. a few rods distant, and once
on the ice SIided away. 1t was six
mile skate TO AIMS home. but the ice
was so smooth and his limbs so long
and sinewy that he covered the dis
lance in a short time. Reaching the
place. a hut no larger than his own.
Percival 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 a
little. wiry figure, with n white face
and profusion of black hair.
Ann" said Percival, Il was thinking
while coming in what chapter of the
sacred book is to be found the parable
Of tine sower."
II don't know, PercivaL"
Get the Bible and let us find out"
'The Bible is loaned. Percival. Come
and sit by me-" And. taking her lovers
hand. she attempted to draw him down
beside her on an oaken bench.
Not so, Ann. would not SIT in Il
house where there is no Bible"
He turned from her and strobe to the
door Ann followed him, trying to dis
suade him from his course. Percival
was firm, but before leaving he turned
and gave Ann his hand. In n moment
he was drawn down and his lips were
glued to hers. 1t was IS If n sudden
warm blast had arisen TO sweep away
his faculties.
Let me CO., he cried. II will come
again when the Bible is returned"
At the mention of the sacred book
his will came back to him, and, turn
ing away. he staggered to the ice and
fled.
Although it was six miles TO his
home. following the route over which
the ice was smooth. it was but four if
he chose at times TO crpss the current
where there were gaps. He started un-
determined which route TO take, but
presently, hearing the sound of skates
cutting the smooth surface, he looked
back. and there behind him came the
witch. With fresh vigor he turned his
face in a straight line with his home.
Now and again he would turn to cast a
terrified glance over his shoulder and
see the sprite figure of Ann Hollister
coming after him. He kept Il close
watch ahead for breaks in the ice and
soon came to one. 1t was but two
yards wide and easily jumped. After
he was over It he turned ard watched
to see Ann pass it. When she reached
ii. she did not seem to change her
strokes in the least. sailing across like
the witch she was. Then Percival came
to q second rift, larger than the first.
This he jumped. and his pursuer also
passed over it. though when she reach
ed the farther side Percival thought
she slipped and staggered. But at that
moment he happened to have the Bible
in his mind, and to this he attributed
her discomfiture At last they came TO
the main rift in their way, but a few
hundred yards from Percivars home.
The great yawning gulf sent terror to
his heart; but, fixing his mind on the
holy book, he put on all speed and went
safely over. Ann was now close be
hind. Presently he heard n Shrek and
a splash and "HeIp me. Percivalr'
That cry from the girl who had be
witched him sounded strangely human.
Turning. he skated back, and there.
clinging to the thin edge OF the ice
nearest him, was Ann. struggling to
reach n place that would not break un-
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 and was
seated before blazing fire she said:
"Percival. go to my dress and bring
me what you find in the pocket
Percival did as he was bid and
brought small volume. Turning over