Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-12-01

earpt was Wien, ;-lu mar she kcpr
her evil magic and black arts III tlc
napist cross she wore upon her bosom.
La Fabienne's hand clutched tighter
to the rein.
"Said thew so? The low bred pol
troons! What further mischief doSt
think that gray clad villain, JOSIAH
Taunston. doth mediate, good Els
beth? Parbleu, doth the fool think ne
is aiming blows at a defenseless Wo-
man? l. the past l have thought his
petty spite and coyctousness were LOO
small TO notice: but, bon Dieu, an he
persists in his prosecutions III nave
settling with the fellow"
Then he added in a lower voice:
"Twere better, methinks, not TO us
tress thy mistress with this news.
Prithee, too much already of unpleas-
ant nature hath happened to grieVe
her."
His horse cantering up to the door-
way where Margaret had pulled reln'
letting her animal nibble some grass
growing beside the path, he sprang
down and assisted her to alight.
1--WE called Giles" she said. "but no
one answers Whistle, Godfrey, so thar
they may know we have returned"
Sweet, I'll be thy horse boy" La
Fabienne caught her horse by the rein.
''Elsbeth says thy servants rose against
her authority. and she sent them pack
| ing. Look not so serious, Margaret,
he urged 1--WE can replace them ere
the dawn Of another day"
"Elsbetl"- Margaret turned her white
face TO the old woman and spoke stern
ly-"speak truth to me, l command It,
Did my hirelings leave my house be-
cause of any feeling of dislike or aver
sion to me-"
"Bonny babe, sweet Margaret" cried
the old woman tremblingly, "they SAID
nay. naught against thee so much
but that the cross thou didst wear vast
papist and wicked, containing evil that
wrought harm to others! Happen
thou'It take it off, sweet" she added,
with hope Of encouraging Margaret,
81 wot they'd all come back and be
glad to serve thee"
The young mistress of the Maryland
farm raised her head quickly, and the
color that had forsaken her cheeks at
the unexpected tidings Of her servants
detection returned to them. Her eyes
sparkled dangerously.
"Elsbeth, an thou say such words
thou cannot understand me. l am
willing and eager to help these people
and to do all for them within my pow
er. but they cannot dictate to me. For
shame. Elsbeth! Thou weak and silly
old woman, to talk with coward
tonguew she exclaimed. "Dost think
q woman of the Maryland blood would
forgive faithless, ignorant, disloyal
servant who hath spoken i'll of her!
Forsooth. how long is it since l have
come to the pass when | must, at a
bireling's command. remove that when
I see fit to wear This is my hOme"
she raised her head proudly-"built by
mine own dear grandfather and mine
bv every right | have done no per
son ill either by thought or deed ano
nv cousin need not think he can force
me from what is mine own. Only this
morning | promised myself a speedy
departrre from this i'll fated village
but now methinks to remain g0o0
time longer"
Her head held high, she turned II
her lover with flashing smile.
"Thou'lt be my horse boy, Godfrey
in thy satin doublet"
Fright willingly will l, o proud ano
beauteous mistress!" La Fabienne
with answering smile dotted his ha
to the ground.
"Then l cannot be unhappy, for die
not some wiseacre say a man is rlcl
that hath one faithful friend? Come
lead the horses and l will follow t.
assist thee, Godfrey, for l trow tho'
wouldst a-weary soon with no hors'
how about to cast thine imprecation
at"
Both laughed merrily at this sally
then. with deep and tender protection
La Fabienne threw his disengaged arm
about her.
ave. come with me-" he said
Though thoult hinder more than tho
will help, l warrant thee. But. gadS
a man can work with a better heart i
sunshine than in shadow, and wher
thou art not, sweet. tits always dar
to me-"