The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-03-17


Koluchy herself seemed to pervade the /
air.
THE day is Frightening" said Rosa
ly, turning her eyes on my face as we /
were entering the house; suppose we /
go for walk after lunch? If you like, |
we will go up Grey Tor and pay a visit /
TO Mother Heriot."
Mother Heriot?" 1 repeated, in as
constituent
'Yes-the herb woman-but do you
know about her?"
Your father spoke about a woman /
of that name last night"
"Oh, l know" replied Miss Sherwood. |
hastily: but he alluded to the mother !
the dreadful ghost which is said TO /
haunt Rokesby. This is the daughter. I
When the mother died, a long time ago, |
after committing a terrible murder. theJ
daughter took her name and trade. |
She is a very curious person, and l
should like you to see her. She is very |
much looked w to by the neighbOrs, |
although they also fear her. She is said /
to have a panaCea against every sort |
of Illness"
Does she deal in witchcraft and for
tune-teling?" [ asked.
"A little of the latter, beyond doubt"
replied the girl laughing: she can tell
your fortune this afternoon What fun
it will be-"
Soon after the midday meal we set
off taking the road for a mile or two,
and then turning sharply to the right.
we began ascend Grey Tor. Our path
led through a wood of dark pines ana
larches, which clothed the side of the
summit of the hill. The air was still
verv chilly, and it struck damp as We
entered the pine forest.
Mother Heriot's hut is just beyond
the wood" said Rosaly; you will see
is as soon as we emerge. All. there it
is she cried.
1 looked upward and saw a hut made
of stone and mud. which seemed to
cling to the bare side of the mountain.
We walked quickly w the winding
path that grew narrower as we pro-
ceided. Suddenly We emerged on to d
little plateau on the mountain side. II
was grass-covered and strewn witt
gray granite boulders Here stood the
rude hut. From the chimney some
smoke was going straight up like thin
blue ribbon. As we approached close
we saw that the door of the hut was
shut. From the caves under the roof
We're hanging several punches of dTied
herbs. / stepped forward and struck
upon IDe QOOE WIFI NY SUCK. II WIS
Immediately opened by thin, middle
aged woman, with a singularly lined
and withered face. 1 asked her If we
might come in. She gave me a keen
glance from out of her beady-black
| eyes. then. seeing ROsaly, her face
frightened: she made rapid motion
with her hand, and then, to my aston
ishment, began to speak on her fingers
"She can hear all right. but she is
quite dumb-has been so since she was
child" said the rector's daughter to
me. "She does not use the ordinary
deaf and dumb language, but she
| taught me her peculiar signs long ago,
ami L often run up here to have a chat
with her."
Now. look here, mother" continued
| the girl, going close up to the dame,
Il have brought two gentlemen to see
you: we want you to tell US our for
tunes. It is lucky to have the fortune
told on Christmas eve. is it not?''
The herb woman nodded, then point
ed inside the hut. She then spoke
quickly on her fingers. Rosaly turned
| to us.
1--WE are in great luck" said the girl,
excitedly. "A curious thing has hap
pened. Mother Heriot has a visitor
staying with her. no less person than
the greatest fortune-teller in England,
/ the queen of the gypsies; she is spend
! ing couple of nights in the hut. Moth
Heriot suggests that the queen of the
gypsies shall tell our fortunes
81 wonder if the woman she alludes
to is one of the gypsies who arrived
at Rokesby station yesterday" / said,
turning to Dufrayer.
Very possibly" he answered. just
raising his brows.
Rn=aix- fsf1f1 fsraryad RI eneol In
excitement.
you consent, don't your"
Certainly" said Dufrayer. with
smile.
'All right, mother" cried Miss Sher-
wood, turning once more to the herb
woman: I'VE will have our fortunes told
and your gypsy friend shall tell them.
Will she come out to US here, or shall
we go in to her?"
Again there was a quick pantomime
of fingers and hands. Rosaiy began to
interpret.
Mother Heriot says that she will
speak to her first. She seems to stand
in considerable awe of her."
The herb woman vanished inside the
hut. We continued TO stand on the
threshold.
/ looked at Dufrayer, who gave me an
answering glance of amusement. Our
position was ridiculous, and yet, ri
diculous as 1t seemed, there was a cur
iously tense feeling at my heart, and
my depression grew greater than ever.
The herb woman returned, and Miss
Sherwood eagerly interpreted.
How queer!" she exclaimed. 1.-THE
gypsy will only see me alone 1 am to
meet her in the hut Shall 1 go imp
II should advise you to have nothing
to do with the matter" said Dufrayer
"Oh, but / am curious. I should like
to-" she answered.
We'll, we will wait for you; but don't
put faith in her silly words"