Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-07-31


But she foiled me with unexpected
nimbleness. and I could not push hei
aside, she was so very old. Her gums
were toothiess, and her forehead was
by your leave, good womani" / said
and turned to pass round her.
lined and wrinkled. About her eyes
which under hideous red lids still shone
with an evil CLEAN, a kind OF reflection
OF a wicked past, a thousand crows
feet had gathered. A few wisps of gray
hair struggled from under the handker-
chief which covered her head. She was
humpbacked and stopped over a stick
and whether h saw or not my move
ment of repugnance, her voice was
harsh when she spoke.
Young gentleman" she croaked
"let me tell your fortune by the stars
A fortune for a groat, young gentle
mani" she continued, peering UP into
my face and frustrating my attempts
to pass.
Here is a groat," l answered
peevlshly, and for the fortune / will
hear 1T another day. So let us by"
But she would not. My companion,
seeing that the attention Of the room
was being drawn to us, tried to pull
me by her. But / could not use force.
and short of force there was no rem
edy. The hostler indeed would have
interfered on our behalf and returned
TO bid her, with a civility he had not
bestowed on us, give us passage"
But she swiftly turned her eyes on
him In a sinister fashion, and he re-
treated with an oath and a paling face,
while those nearest to us-and half
a dozen had crowded round-drew
back and crossed themselves in haste
almost ludicrous.
Let me see your face. young gen.
tleman." she persisted. with a hollow
cough. my eyes are not so clear as
they We're, or IL Is not your cloak
and our 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-
riediy a figure with her stick. She
studied the phantom lines a moment
and then looked UP.
Listen" she said solemnly, and
waving her stick round me she quaver-
ed out In tones which filed 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
1t. Go back, The sword may miss
or may not fall. but the core Is sure.
If Master BERTHE had not held my
arm tightly, | should have recoiIed.
as most OF those within hearing had
already done. The strange illusions
to my past, which / had no difficulty
in detecting, and the witch's knowl-
edge of the risks OF our present enter
prise We're enough to startle and shake
the most constant mind, and In the
midst of enterprises secret and dam
gerous, few minds are so firm or so
reckless as to disdain omens. That
she was one Of those unhappy beings
buy dark secrets at the expense
of other souls seemed certain, and
had | been alone | should have, / am
ashamed to say 1t, given back.
But | was lucky in having for my
companion a man of rare mind. and
besides of 81 single a religious belief
InaL at the end or his life he always
to put faith in a thing Of the
OF which / have mo doubt
myself mean witchcraft.
He showed at this the cour-
age of his opinions. Peace! Peacei
he said compassionatcly. I'VE
live while God wills ii and die
when he Wills it, and neither live
longer nor die earlier; so let us by"
Would you perish" she quavered.
Aye, IL so God wills?" he answered,
undaunted.
AT that she seemed to shake all
Then go on! Go oni God willis It'll"
Master BERTHE gave me no time for
hesitation, but holding my arm urged
me on to where the hostler stood
waiting the event with a face of much
discomposure. He opened the door for
US. however. and led the way up a
narrow n not too clean staircase.
the landing at the head Of THIS he
paused and raised his lantern so as to
cast the light on our faces. She has
overlooked me, the old WITCH" ne said
v~iciously. II wish / had never meddled
In this business"
Man" Master BERTHE replied stern
ly, do you fear that weak, old wom-
am"
No, but | fear her master" rstorted
the hostler. and that is the devil
Then / do not" Master BERTHE an
braveEy. For my Master is as
a match for him as | am for
that old oma When he wills II.
man, you viii die, and not before.
pluck up spirit"
(Continued Next Weekly