Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-07-27

| 'twould be n good riddance when twas
over He's changeable. but as a rule
thou canst count on his not interfering
at witch burning"
Goods pityv' exclaimed La Fa-
bienne under his breath. Then he
continued hastily, seeing the map had
grown more communicative, ''The
witch, methinks myself, 'twere well to
capture, but the Frenchman of whom
thou spokest, what want they of him r
'It seemeth he hath great influence
both at home and abroad" the captain
whispered, looking furtively at the
closed door. 'If they can hold him
safely in prison until the woman is
tried and executed they will let him
go, or mayhap prefer charges against
him and bring him to trial Also
He threw himself down wearily on
the pallet of straw in the corner
Poor devilr' observed La Fabienne
lightly. But tits ever the way of
those that consort with evil. Marry.
The wretch is fairly caught in the
trap these God fearing Puritans have
set for him.
His companion grunted a sleepy re-
sponse
''If 'tis as thou hath stated, that all
the roads are stoutly defended but the
footpath through the mountain for
est'-La Fabienne eyed the man mar
rowly-"the witch's accornplice. hap.
pen he got wind of his intended arrest,
hath small hope of escape"
The captain laughed a drunken laugh
of enjoyment; then, raising up in bed
on his elbow, he said:
MY lord, it's truth thou speakest.
The man is fairly caught. But If the
wretch had knowledge of the hard
ships my men and l have endured to-
day he would prefer the hanging that
the people have in store for him to
attempting escape through the forest.
BY blood and nails, it was an awful
ordeal. an but for the fact that it was
as difficult to retrace our steps as TO
proceed, my fellows would have re-
fused to advance A curse on this
scraggy top notch of nowherer' he
cried. Tomorrow, our work done, we
march down yon mountain road to
London, or I'm but half man and
know not mine own willv'
AS his companion did not reply or
seem inclined to hold further converse,
the captain stretched himself out on
the pallet at full length and, throwing
an arm up over his head, was soon
sleeping soundly.
La Fabienne waited, making sure
that the PROSTATE man was uncon-
threw himself hopelessly into a chair
and let the pent up feelings in his
heart break through the quiet mask
he had worn ON his face, and an ex-
preston bafied and desperate took its
place, while under his breath he cursed
himself 'roundly for his stupid lack of
foresight and his contempt for Josiah
Taunston's plotting. Springing to his
feet, he paced lightly up and down the
room like one bereft. Once he paused
at the aperture and looked long in the
direction Of the Maryland farm, the
tops Of the tall trees in the forest being
all that was visible, then strode fierce
ly across the room again as if unable
to contain his emotions. Unlocking
chest that stood in the corner, he re-
moved from it to his person a bag of
gold and brace Of pistols. put on his
hat and cape and noiselessly buckled
on his sword.
'If / allowed her to attempt the for
est she would die" he said under his
breath, "and if told her of my inten
tion she would not let me go alone.
Oh, God, it's hardw He shook his
head hopelessly.
The candle, now burned down to the
edge Of the socket, threw weird, smoky
rays on La Fabienne's white face as
he seated himself, in great perplexity
and sore distress, Upon the wooden
bench.
Margaret, oh, my love! God help
me! There is no other way" he said
after few moments consideration,
and as his bent head fell forward on
his hands the candle near him splut-
tered and went out as If in very sum-
pathy for his sorrow and despair. Ris
ing, he groped his way to the door.
down the stairway and out Of the
house so silently that no one, not even
the innkeeper, sleeping in his chair by
the chimney place, heard him or knew
tbot ba bod oona