Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-11

BY ANITA CLAY MUNOZ,
Copyright. 1905 b. Amt. c.p rlunoz

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CHAPTER XIII Continued.)
As she saw the menacing actions
and heard the angry accusations Of the
crowd the pallor on Margaret's face
deepened. and she trembled slightly
from shock and surprise.
Then, collecting herself with mighty
effort, she spoke again to the officer:
What duty brings thee to my door,
good captainr'
The captain, squaring hts shoulders,
strutted before her conceitedly, then
said IN pleasant tones, with an in
sinuating smile Of admiration, II am
commanded. fair lady, by order Of the
king, TO take into custody the person"
here he paused to look over the scroll
Of parchment he held In his hand-''of
y woman, one Margaret Maryland, ac-
cused Of the crime OF w1tchcraft"
Atrhat moment old Elsbeth appeared
In the doorway behind Margaret, her
|betnlned cap awry and her eyes red
with weeping. The captain, observing
her,, made another low bow to Marga-
net.
tsWlth your permission will enter
and faiDe her now" he said. "Men, for
wardp
The, soldiers. with swords clanking,
game IMP the steps. Margaret did not
move, for. having caught sight Of her
cousin, Josiah Taunston, grim, exultant,
solemn, astride his high horse In the
middle, Of the gathering, she was gaz-
ing atrhim with an expression Of re-
proachful sternness.
/ 4Gractous nistress"-the captain laid
his hand upons her arm-'1t will be nee
essacyp for me to take this woman. In
the ktdgfssname ask thee to allow me
TO enter"
She drew away from his touch with
quick gesture Of offended dignity.
''Why shouldst thou enter, man, when
she whom thou hast come to take
stands at thy side7' she said.
"Thou, rnistressr'
: The captain fell back step or two
in bis surprise.
"aTis no wonder that thou doth stare
at me incredulous, with open mouth"
she said bitterly. YEA. I am Margaret
Maryland, and woman most untustiy
accused"
! "Prithee. captain" cried Elder VIII
liams, the chief councillor, who had
been whispering aside with Taunston,
do thy duty with more speed. Happen
thou stay longer thoult fall under the
spell Of the woman, and, instead Of per-
forming the kings work, thou'lt be do
ing pranks on the green! More haste,
officer"
Thus sternly admonished, the captain
replaced his helmet and. mohoning to
bis men to come closer, said: "Marga-
ret Maryland, in the kings name do
arrest thee for the black crimes o.
and connivance with the
devil. am under orders to see thee
safely in cell in the town prison, there
to await trial for these charges, and it
is my duty to command thee to come
with me now"
AS the captain spoke Margaret lis
tened immovable, with pale face and
flashing eyes, and when he had finish
ed, as II she could no longer restrain
her indignation at the outrageous in
Justice, brushed him aside with
sweeping gesture Of her hand and,
walking through the soldiers to the top
OF the steps, stood looking defantly at
the concourse of people before her. The
sun, now higher and brighter In the
heavens, fell upon her warmly, and the
gold CROSS on her bosom cleaned
brightly In its rays.
Ignorant churls! Ingrates! Pol
hoons!" she cried, with scornful anger.
'Dost know tbs Margaret Maryland
that ye do attack? towards, to bring
a band Of soldiery to take one weak
woman captive! But know now and
think well before We act that the wo-
man whom ye do accuse is not de-
fenseless, but hath strong protector
close at hand in the person of Sir God
frey La Fabienne!'
Here she was interrupted by much
derisive hooting and the loud shouts
and laughter of the crowd. Disregard
ing the disturbance, she continued:
Mark me well, then, and beware,
for warn ye that punishment
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