Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-07-13

EM
# Fabienne, accompanying the
H mistress of the Maryland farm,
was riding up the mountain to-
ward the village, slowly and with
slackened rein, talking earnestly in
low tones.
Nay, Godfrey, l am not i'll. But
since the shocking news of Christie
piers death l cannot lift his trouble
from my heart" she was saying in re-
ply, evidently, to some remark he had
just made Il do reproach myself
that in mine own security l allowed
the lad to follow his inclination and go
into danger One commanding word
from me. with assurances that / would
take all blame of the goldsmith's anger,
would have sent him to the kitchen.
All, lackaday"
'Thou'rt over sensitive, my love, an
must needs bear the suffering of all
about thee" La Fabienne said. Blame
not thyself for what was not thy fault.
BY the Lord, thou asked the lad to
remain and he would not. None other,
Margaret, unless she had thy tender
conscience, would so unjustly reproach
herself. Come, cheer thee. Laugh,
smile. sweet or else, | swear, I'll get
the blue megrims myself!'
Jest not, dear Godfrey, for me-
thinks that others hold my careless
ness against me, for yesternight, when
riding through the village, l noticed sui
len looks, and instead of the usual
formal greetings saw only frowning
pIanceS or ovprted faces"
again It's thine imagination that's
at fault her companion insisted, in
gay good humor. Gods pity, but }
cannot much blame thee, sweet, for of
all lean shanked, sour faced folk l e'er
have met these mountain folk take
precedence Thou should hear good
Gastons surly jests at their expense!
Right merrily would thou laugh, my
sweet"
Margaret not making reply, they pur-
sued their way in silence until they
reached low log house, where just
before the door n group Of children
were throwing corn to hen and her
young brood An elder girl, barefoot
ed and dirty faced, looked up curiousiy
at the approach of the riders; then,
throwing back her tangled hair, opened
her eyes in wonder at the sight of such
unusual splendor, for the bright sun
fell on Margaret's hair and lighted the
threadwork of gold on her dress, the
soft wind caught her long white veil
Of gossamer wound about her riding
hat, tossing 1t lightly in the air, and
La Fahienne, in hie usual splendid
dress, rode after her, smiling, his hand
in the leather purse of his belt, ready
to throw some loose coin to the young
sters
At that instant woman in a torn
cotton frock appeared at the doorway,
her face drawn in terror and pointing
long finger toward Margaret.
'Tirzah, Clarinda, Luke.' she shriek
ed. "Come in behind the doors! IT'S
the lady with the evil cross! Hast for
got the lad ChrIstopher's fate? Run!
1 command ye to runr'
The panic stricken children, with
white faces and in great fear, rushed to
their mothers side, clinging to her
skirts tremblingly as she slammed the
door and noisily drew the bolt.
"What said the shrewish wench?'
asked La Fabienne as he took his place
beside Margaret.
II did not exactly get her meaning,
but she called the children from me,
warning them Of poor Chrlstophers sad
DEATH" she replied. 'As | told thee,
Godfrey, all blame of the lads mis-
fortune is laid to mine Indifference"
La Fabienne noting the cloud on his
companions face, his own grew dark,
and he laid his hand upon his sword.
"By heaven, Margaret, an any man
makes such insinuations in my hearing
I'll run him through
"Nay, talk not of bloodshed, Cod
frey" she answered, with a gentle
sigh ''but think rather of the time
when we will ride away together from
these unjust people to a joyous and
happy life in France"
"Naught but that hope and the sweet
joy of thy presence doth keep Inc here,
1 do assure thee, Margaret" he replied
seriously. But, mark me, sweet, until
we leave no man sights thee without
settling the reckoning with me-"
Margaret, whose kind heart was full
of sorrow and trouble at the recent
misadventure, also the consequent con-
duct of her nefghbors, took heart at her
lovers fond words.
"Thy protection and love giveth me
great comfort, Godfrey" she replied.
Then, with little Sigh, But, / wot,
this is most depressing neighbor-
hood"
La Fabenne laughed lightly, amused
Mt her last observation.
"See, yonder," she continued, 'ls Ad-
sm's cottage, the goldsmith, where poor
Christopher's body leth awaiting bur
ial. Methlnks the wreath of roses
sent yesterday was not enough to ex-
press my sympathy. ! would like to
| offer Adam some gold, Godfrey. Hap
| zen the old man is In need In his hour
of trouble"
At the sound of horses hoofs Adam
Browdie appeared at the door, and
when he saw who it was drew back,
with blanched face, his tongue cleaving
10 the roof Of his mouth.
81 give thee good day, ADAM" Mar
garet said, riding closer, "and have
! much sympathys with thee in thy sor-
row. Wilt takesthis small handful Of
| gold, good man, as at times like these
| folk have many extra needs?'
The sun, glittering over the house,
| fell ON the cross lying on her bosom,
Illuminating it. In Adams fear aud
terror It was alihe saw, ana to his ex-
| cited Imagination II appeared 10 blazcn
| forth, covering the whole front of her
| dress.
go on thy wicked wayw he cried
| in quavering tones. "and stop not be-
| fore the door where thou hast wrought
| such dire evil! Thy wreath of roses
| lieth in ashes in the road! We applied
| torch ere thy servant left; and thy
gold, take it with thee. l want it
notr'
He closed the door aud fastened ID,
! drawing the bar across with noisy vi
| olence Margarets face was white as
she picked up her rein and La Fabl.
enne rode at her side with dark looks
/ and flashing eyes.
"Gads In France we have a man
whipped for less than that! Mon
Dieu," he exclaimed angrily, were not
the man so old and did not death lie