THE WITCH OF SMOKY HOLLOW 165 
and placed something in her hand, saying, ' The dying 
and the dead are beyond our aid, but it is our duty to 
comfort and assist those who live and suffer ; is it not 
written, Much is forgiven her, for she loved much ? ' 
The child died, as she said it would ; and the old 
crones about said the lady must be a witch, ' but a 
rale good-hearted one ' ; for she had given the poor 
girl far more than enough to pay for the funeral. The 
babe's little blue coffin was ornamented too ; those 
who live in country villages know how dearly they 
love to pay this last mark of respect to the dead, 
and to be able to do without the aid of the parish 
authorities in that matter. 
After that the lady was named the Witch of Smoky 
Hollow. Her real name was never known by the rustics. 
Near the family vault of the old squire there was 
a flat slab of red granite ; on it no name or date was 
inscribed, only a simple cross had been cut in the hard 
stone. One Sunday the villagers gathered round 
it with wondering eyes ; for a large and beautiful 
cross of white marble had been placed at the head of 
the granite slab. Passion flowers and leaves, most 
beautifully chiselled, adorned it, and at the foot of 
the cross were the words, ' Jesu, mercy.' Who had 
placed it there was not known. 
Annie presently found a true friend and comforter 
