ou will soon leave him in company with another
man who is light of complexion, tall, and strong. Disgrace and ruin
await your family if you marry the light man. Even the Stone God cannot
foretell a woman's course when love draws her in opposite directions.
May the Stone God pity you."

The hag's ominous words, fitting so marvellously the real situation,
frightened Rita and she cried, "Please let me out," but the gypsy held
her hand, saying:--

"Sit still, ye fool; sit and listen. For one shilling I will teach you a
spell which you may throw over the man you despise, and he will wither
and die; then you may marry the one of your choice, and all evil shall
be averted."

"No, no!" screamed the girl, rising to her feet and forcing her way to
the front of the wagon. In passing the witch she stumbled, and in
falling, grasped the snake. The owl screeched, and Rita sprang screaming
from the wagon-seat to the ground.

Sukey's turn came next, and although Rita begged her not to enter the
gypsy's den, our lady of the dimples climbed over the front wheel, eager
for forbidden fruit.

The hideous witch, the owl, and the snake for a moment frightened Sukey;
but she, true daughter of Eve, hungered for apples, and was determined
to eat.

After foretelling numerous journeys, disappointments, and pleasures
which would befall Sukey, the gypsy said:--

"You have many admirers, but there is one that remains indifferent to
your charms. You may win him, girl, if you wish."

"How?" cried Sukey, with eagerness.

"I can give you a love powder by which you may cause him to love you. I
cannot sell it; but a gift for a gift is no barter. If you will give me
gold, I will give you the powder."

"I have no money with me," answered Sukey; "but I will come to-morrow
and bring you a gold piece."

"It must be gold," said the hag, feeling sure of her prey. "A gift of
baser metal would kill the charm."

"I will bring gold," answered Sukey. Laden with forbidden knowledge and
hope, she sprang from the front wheel into Tom's arms, and was very
happy.

That night she asked Rita, "Have you a gold dollar?"

"Yes," replied Rita, hesitatingly, "I have a gold dollar and three
shillings. I'm saving my money until Christmas. I want five dollars to
buy a--" She stopped speaking, not caring to tell that she had for
months been keeping her eyes on a trinket for Dic. "I am not
accumulating very rapidly," she continued laughing, "and am beginning to
fear