The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-07-30

But she foiled me with unexpected
n~inibieness. and | could not push hez
aside, she was so very old. Her gums
were toothless. and her forehead was
by your leave, good womani" l said
and turned to pass round her.
lined and wrinkled. About her eyes,
which under hideous red lids still shone
with an evil CLEAN, q kind of reflection
of a wicked past. q thousand rows
feet had gathered. a few wisps OF gray
hair struggled from under the ~handker-
chief which covered her head. She was
h~uTnpbacked and stopped over a stick.
and whether she "a or not my move
n2ent 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 n frustrating my attempts
to pass.
Here is a sroat." I answered
peevishly. land for the fortune I will
hear it 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 l could not use force,
and short of force there was no rem
edy. The hostler indeed would have
III oQE DSfldll anu 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 our face. young gen
tleman," h persisted. with a hollow
My eyes are not so clear as
they were, or it is not your cloak
and your flap hat that would blind
me-"
Thinking 1t 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
small indeed uncovered. She
a piercing glance at my face, and
looking down on the floor traced hur-
riedly a figure with her stick. She
the phantom lines a moment
and hen looked up.
Listen she said solemnly, and
waving her stick round me she quaver-
out in tones which filed me with a
strange tremor.
The man goes east, n 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 lilo
shall FEAST"
"Beware!" she went on more loudly
md harshly, tapping with her stick
IN the floor and shaking her nalsied
head at me. Beware, unlucky shoot of
! crooked branch. Go no farther with
t. Go back. The sword may miss
'r may not fall. but the cord is sure"
II Master BERTHE had not held my
arm tightly, l should have recoiled.
Is most of those within hearing had
tiready done. The strange illusions
o my past, which / had no difficulty
n detecting. and the witch's knowI-
'dge of the risks of our present enter
rise were enough to startle and shake
most constant mind, and in the
midst OF enterprises secret and dam
'erous, few minds are so firm or so
eckless as to disdain omens. That |
he was one of those unhappy beings
vho buy dark secrets at the expense
II other souls seemed certain, and
sad l been alone / should have, l am
Iot ashamed to say it. given back.
But was lucky in having for my
ompanion a man of rare mind, and
,esldes or SO single a religious belief
nat at the end of his life he always
efused to put faith in a thing of the
of which 1 have no doubt
ayseifl mean witchcraft.
He showed at this the cour-
ge OF his opinions. Peace. Peace!
he said compassionateIy. eve !
hall live while God wills it and die.
hen he wills it, and neither live
'nger nor die earlier; SO let us by."
Would Q perish she quavered.
Aye, If 50 God wills?" he answered.
At that she seemed to shake all
yer and hobbled aside muttering:
lhen go on! Go on! God wills It'll"
master Bertie gave me no time for
esltation, but holding my arm urged
lie on to where the hostler stood
,altf1g the event with a face of much
He opened the door for |
$, however, and led the way UP a
arrow and not too clean staircase. |
N the landing at the head Of this he |
aused and raised his lantern SO as to
asst n light on our faces. "She has |
v~erlooked me, the old witch, he said !
iciously. Il wish / had never meddIed
! this business"
Man. Master BERTHE replied stern |
!; 4 10 you fear that weak Old WON
NO, but I fear her master retortad /.
hostier. and that is the DEVIL
I do not" Master Bertie an
wered brayely. For my Master ia "a
GOD match for him as I am for
aat old wornan When he wills Il. !,
you will die. and no before.
Q pluck up spirit"
tCont,nuea Next. Week.)
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Palabras carinosas.
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