Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1908-08-01

LET me see youx face, young gem
tleman," she persisted. with a hollow
cough. MY eyes are not SO clear as
they were, or 1t is not your cloak
and your flap hat that would blind
me-"
Thinking It best to get rid OF her
even at a slight risk--and the chance
that among the travellers present there
would be one able to recognize me
was small indeed-I uncovered. She
shot a piercing glance at my face, and
looking down on the floor traced hur-
riedly a figure with her stick. She
studied the phantom lines a moment
and then lookes up.
Listen" she said solemnly, and
waving her stick round me she Quayer-
ed out in tones which filled me with a
strange tremor.
The man goes east, and the wind
blows west,
Wood to the head and steel to the
breast!
The man goes west. and the wind
| blows east
| The neck twice doomed the gallows
shall feast!"
Beware" she went on more loudly
and harshly, tapping with her stick
on the floor and shaking her palsied
head at me. Beware, unlucky shoot of
| a crooked branch Go no farther with
It, Go back. The sword may miss
or may not fall. but the cord is sure
II Master Bertie had not held my
arm tightly, l should have recoiled
as most Of those within hearing had
already done. The strange allusions
to my past, which ! had no difficulty
| in detecting, and the witch's knowl-
edge of the risks of our present enter.
prise were enough to startle and shake
the most constant mind, and In the
midst OF enterprises secret and dan.
| fANus .N.tW. 1a, a.-.x. =.
reckless as to disdain omens. Tha
she was one of those unhappy beings
who buy dark secrets at the expens,
of other souls seemed certain, anC
had / been alone ! should have, / an
not ashamed to say 1t, given back.
But l was lucky in having for IN,
companion man of rare mind. ant
besides of so single a religious belle
that at the end of his life he alwayi
refused to put faith in thing of tn,
existence of which I have no doub
myself mean witchcraft
He showed at this moment the cour
age of his opinions. Peace! Peace
woman" he said compassionately. wv
shall live while God wills II and di
when he Wills IT, and neither liv
longer nor die earlier: SO let us by.
Would you perish" she quavered
AYE, If so God wills?" he answered
undaunted.
At that she seemed to shake a
over and hobbed aside muttering
Then go on! Go on! God Wills IT,!
| Master BERTHE gave me no time fo
: hesitation, but holding my arm urge
| me on to where the hostler stoo
= waiting the event with face Of muc
: discomposure. He opened the door fo
1 us, however, and led the way up
5 narrow and not too clean staircas
I On the landing at the head of this h
S paused and raised his lantern so as I
: cast the light on our faces. "She ha
g overlooked me, the old WITCH" he sal
e viciously. Il wish l had never meddle
: in this business"
e Man." Master BERTHE replied stern
ly, do you fear that weak old won
4 an?"
s mo, but fear her MASTER" retorte
!. the hostler, and that is the devil"
r "Then ] do not" Master BERTHE ar
swered bravely. For my Master is {
h good a match for him as l am Il
: that old woman. When he wills
man, you will die, and not befor
- So pluck UP spirit"
i (ContInued Next Weekl