Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-05
THE GHDED MAN
BY CLIFFORD SMlTH


sun, their very simplicity was cause for
wonder. II not for fear
So far the explorers had not attracted
me attention Of the villagers, Where the
FORMER stood they could watch the scene be- :
low without being observed themselves. But
they knew that this security could not last.
Either they had 70 go on and make them
selves known. or return 10 Anitou, who by
thiS time. possibly, was AZ ile mercy of
kaoul and his party. They hesitated. The
problem was a lnotty ouc--but it was not
left 70" them TO decide From an unexpected
quarter came an Interruption. startling in
some respects. that solved their difficulties
temporarily at leas,-aud seemed 4 promis-
ing auPury that whatever dangers confront
ed them they might rely on backing Of
sort. heavily veicd figure bent with age
and toilhs down precpitous path from
the rocky height beneath which they were
sheltered, silently approached them. At
sight of this singular being, Mrs. OuayIc,
not Vet accustomed to this land OF uucom-
Portable surprises, started to run away. Her
frantic efforts at speed restored the conf
dence of the others and, after she had been
unCeremOniouSly. brought to order by Leigh
ton, the little party managed to saCe the
newcomer with some show of composure,
Leaning on a long staff, the descending fig
ure, ignoring the others, advanced. towards
Una, who stood by herself beneath n low
shelf of rock Pausns within 4 few feet OF
the wondering girl, the Veil was slowly lifted,
revealing the scanned and wrinked face and
long flowing white hair OF "A woman whose
great age was visible in every feature. In
bygone times she would have been proclaimed
witch, although in her aspect there was
nothing Of the malevolence tradition attr-
butes to witches. But there was the solemnity,
the dramatic gesture Of tho sibyl--a being
who is supposed 10 rank several grades higher
than the witch--when. with uplifted hand.
she commanded the attention of those to
whom she deigncd to speak. Drawn by some.
'hing oc bcnignty in her glance. and un-
daunted by her otherwise fantastic appear
ance, Una came forward to meet her-a
movement that at once ELECTED a sign of APP
proval.
She is one loqs, one crazy woman" growl-
| ed Miranda
"of course she is dangerous" :" exclaimed
Mrs. Quaylr
General Herran shrugged his shoulders and
! muttered vigorous rrofanltcs in Spanish
"Nonsensc The woman is probably slightly,
dcmcnted.' was LeightonS Judgment In the
matter Una, apparently, was without opinion
as to the character or the intentions of the
singular being whose gaze was fastened upon
| her, and whose outstretched arm singled her
| out from the rest.
"Oh, if she would only speak in n lam
guage could understand" she exclaimed
| To the amaZement OF every one. the wish
was gratihed soon uttered. For the old
woman-whether witch, sihyl, or lunatic--
| answered in plain English an English some.
what defective in pronunciation. it is true
but correct enough In form to give evidence
| of an unusual amount Of study on the part
\ of the speaker
Il expected YOU Come with me-" she
| commanded.
Astonishment silsnced further comment.
| For the moment even Miranda had nothing
to say. Then. recovering his usual assurance.
| he expressed himself with emphasis
"Caramba. . She is one WITCH" he de-
| clared.