Read Online A Girl Between by Marjorie Weismantel - Free Book Online Page B

others?” I asked indignantly.
    Miss Cassie sighed before she replied, “She was known as a
pious woman but she was also an independent thinker.  In those days, that was
very dangerous.  Most people back then were superstitious because they didn’t
have control over many aspects of their lives.  When things went wrong, they
often had to blame someone.  Alice was very vocal about the witch hunts that
were going on.  She didn't believe that the accused were 'in league with the
devil'.  People who took a stand against the witch hunts were often accused
themselves.”
    "Could you tell me more about what happened to Alice
and some of the others who were accused?"  I have to admit, this was
fascinating to me.  I didn’t know much about the witch hunts in New England.
    She smiled and settled in before responding, "A number
of people who were initially accused were considered to be outcasts of the
village.  Maybe they lived on the outskirts of town and didn't socialize with
the villagers, so they aroused some suspicion.  Some of those people practiced the
old way of curing sickness, by use of herbs and the laying of the hands.  That
was frowned upon even though it was often more successful than what doctors
could do in those days.  Alice was not an outcast, though.  She had been very
active in village affairs and was known for her charity.”
    I smiled at Miss Cassie. "Witchcraft, how nuts were
people back then?  Like there were witches flying around on broomsticks!”
    Miss Cassie tilted her head and studied me before answering,
“Actually, they weren't so crazy.  A number of those women actually were
witches.  In fact, I believe that Alice Casey was a witch."
    "What?  How could you say that?  That’s crazy.  You
mean like witches with special powers?  I’d never heard of such a thing.”  I
was shaking my head.
    Miss Cassie raised her eyebrow.  "Yes, witches with
power.  However, most witches utilized their powers for the good.  If anything,
it was some of the accusers who used their power for evil."
    I sat back and thought for a minute.  Who was this woman?  Was
she mad or did she know what she was talking about?  She does seem a little different,
but is she crazy?  First, she called me Elsa.  Then, she claimed that I have
‘special abilities’ and that I can see future events.  Although, she was
correct when she said that I can read auras.  I didn’t know what to think.
    I glanced at my watch.  "Miss Cassie, I better go.  Thanks
so much for the tea and showing me your house.  Your stories were intriguing to
say the least."
    "It was very nice to see you, dear.  I knew you would
come by here sooner or later.  If you ever have any questions or would like to
talk to me about anything, please, just come over."  Miss Cassie and I got
up and walked to the front door.
    As I was walking down the front steps, I turned around to
wave to her.  Miss Cassie was standing there staring at me as if her mind was
elsewhere.  She abruptly snapped out of her reverie and called out, "Elsa,
please be careful.  There are some people who wish you did not come back here.”
 There was frown on her face.  I didn't know how to respond to that so I just kept
on going.  I knew she was staring me the entire time I walked to the sidewalk,
climbed onto the bike and rode down the street.  
    As I was riding home, my mind went over my visit with Miss
Cassie.  What was going on?  That old lady knew things about me.  How could
that be?  I didn't know her from a hole in the wall.  I was afraid of what else
she'd come out with so I had to get out of there.
    Perhaps I'll go and see her again when I’m up for it.  It’s
weird that I felt like I'd been in her house before.  There’s no explanation
for that and there's also no explanation for my premonitions.  I wish they
would stop.  I don’t want to know what’s going to happen.  Things will happen
when things will happen.  That's the way life is