Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-11-10
CHAPTER x.

XUST out of the forest on a fiat
rock that topped a rising emf
Al nence of land stood Margaret
Maryland by the side Of he1
lover, who, taller than she, bent his
dark eyes softly upon her face, reflect
ing in them the happiness shining SC
brightly in her own. Twilight had now
withdrawn it's last gray shadows
from the earth, and night, warm, black
and clear, with soft breezes stirring
and the air heavy with the sweet red.
olence Of wild flowers, fell on the
mountain gently. Gradually the stars
came out, first one at a time, timidly;
then, as if gathering courage from add
ed numbers, they shone forth rapidly
until the black arch of the heavens
was spectacle of dazzling brilliance.
Margaret, with happy confidence,
stood close to her lover, who, with one
arm thrown about her, strOked her
soft hair caressingly. The stars with
added luster sparkled in cheerful ra-
dance, the breeze grew fainter, then
died away, and the hour was one Of
intense peacefulness. Suddenly from
the direction OF the village came the
loud, unearthly sounds Of the baying
and bowling Of dog-long, loud and,
to the superstitiOus, ominous bowls
but Margaret and La Fabienne, entire
ly engrossed in each other, talked on
happily, unheeding aught but the sound
Of their own voices and the Joy Of be-
ing together.
can so thou hadst the fever with
no hands but those of strangers to
tend theey' Margaret was saying sor-
rowfully. 'Tell me, Godfrey, more
fully Of thy miserable experiences"
"'Twould but pain thee, sweet"
"Nay, 1 would hear the fullest &C.
count" Margaret insisted. ''ThOu
and good CASTOR came to house
where there was a maid-continue,
dear Godfrey"
'Much blame do take to myself for
my carelessness, hearts love-" La Fa-
bienne replied, "but for the nonce my
anxiety to be with thee put cautisn and
out Of my mind. AS was
telling thee, we came safely to house
below the fork in the mountain where
The two roads lead In opposite direc-
lions. At first methought to continue
our way on the defile winding upward
to our right, but, glancing at the two
dark, craggy roads, difficult OF ascent
and steep, and realizing what dire
mishap it would be to wend our way
on the wrong one, asked for right d.
rection from maid at the cottage. Ell
therfrom ignorance or desire for mis-
chief she said that Cragenstone lay at
the end of the road leading to the left.
So, trusting absolutely to her knOwl-
edge of the country hereabout, we
Jared forth on our Journey"
can did thou meet no person to tell
thee of thine effor% Margaret inquir-
ed, with gentle sympathy.
"Marryl Not one soul except a poor
lad of vacant mind who mouthed and
chartered at us as we passed" he re-
piled. "Soon the drizzling dampness
to steady rain that fell harder
and heavier as we progressed, until at
last it came down in great sheets of
water, binding our vision, washing
rocks and gravel down the rough and
dangerous path and almost sweeping
our horses off their feet. Such an awful
storm, such clOudbursts, we
had ne'er seen In France. Brave Gas
ton was struck with terror, declared
we would be lost and entreated me to
turn our horses heads, but l, disregard
ng him, pressed forward, knowing that
.hou vert expecting me, and myself
,eething with impatience to hold thee
n mine arms"
He paused moment, looking intent
y from his high place into the dark
valley below him, Margaret's upturned
ACE regarding his with anxious inter-
,st
"What then, Godfrey"
"Soon we came upon stream that
AN bubbling and f0aming across our
bath. With many round oaths from
CASTOR and some sharp imprecations
rom myself, we contrived to get across