166 THE WITCH OF SMOKY HOLLOW 
in the mysterious lady, to whom she had already told 
her simple love-story. William, the lover, was a 
smart-looking young fellow, second gamekeeper to 
the squire at the Hall. Latterly Annie had looked 
pale and lost her brightness, and her friend, noticing 
it, soon drew from her the cause of this. There had 
been much company at the Hall, and some of the 
' ladies' ladies ' were very good-looking and smart 
young women, and William, who had often to go up 
to the Hall, was noticed by them as being a very 
well-built, fine young fellow. So they made much 
of him when they had the opportunity, and poor 
William rather lost his head over it ; so that if things 
did not alter there was great danger of Annie being 
made very miserable, for she and William were really 
engaged to be married. She told her story at Smoky 
Hollow with a tearful face, and asked the lady what 
she ought to do. 
' Cheer up, little one,' said her friend ; ' if he is 
worth having, he will come back to you gladly before 
long. I have heard they call me the Witch of Smoky 
Hollow. Well, I will give you a charm that will 
bring him to you again. Come, let me see you smile 
a little, then I will go and prepare for you my charm.' 
The charm was a sealed packet, which she bade 
Annie place under her pillow, and not open until the 
