Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-25

KNHERITING from his mother a
81 hard, unyielding nature, young
H Taunston, in his life of struggle
and trial to keep his farm intact,
had obtained what success was his
through firm resolve, grim determine
ton and desperate endeavor Where
he could not bend he had broken, and
now to gain his ends he knew no other
method. So, instead of Disgusting his
disapproval of his cousins light con-
duct. he chose rather TO place on his
hardness and disapproval as he rose
stiffiy at the sound of the soft rustling
OF skirts approaching TO receive her.
With her hair brushed smoothly back
and prim kerchief crossed over her
shoulders. hiding the fair round neck
that the dainty cotton frock she wore
} ,.osed, her face calm and serene.
Lu, wlthal a very different creature
from the merry young woman who but
q moment since had been running on
the old wall, Margaret entered quiet
~ and bade her kinsman be seated.
He did this awkwardly, appearing Ill
at case. Margarets heart felt chilled.
1t was all so gloomy here, 80 cold and
solemn For the moment her thoughts
turned toward Paris with bitter long
ing
Josiah shifted on his chair and work
ed his pale lips as though he were at
loss for words and was angered at
the fact
At last Margaret broke the silence.
"Twas most frightful storm, good
cousin. Were thy lands much dam
aged?"
Nay" he replied. "Being In the val
ley, we are protected some. But thou,
Margaret, thy lands stretch broadly in
the open. Hast thou suffered lossesf"
Margaret laughed lightly.
"I' truth, Josiah, / have not given
the matter a thought. Farming. l wot.
is not a woman's work or else the
Lord had given her a better liking for
it,
Josiah's small eyes glittered.
"Thou hast spoken the TRUTH he
cried, the words fairly bursting from
his mouth in his eagerness to speak
them. ITO manage an estate, i faith,
is not a woman's work Why, cousin,
warrant that these lands under thy
management alone in two years would
detract in value to one-half. Thy
father, Margaret, ever with an eye to
thy best interests, gave me the stew
ardship Of thine estate. Didst never
occur to thee what his object was in
this!"
HE knew, Josiah, that thou wouldst
perform thy duties punctually," she re-
piled pleasantly. supprcssfng yawn
behind her hand, "for thou art known
to be a Jealous man and one of integri-
ty. / ever feel that I cannot thank thee
enough for thy watchful care Of mino
estate, good cousin"
Margaret" Josiah said, q dark flush
spreading over his countenance, my
mother-in fact, several of thy neigh
bors have remarked that 1t Is not meet
for so young and fair maid to live
alone"
Margaret threw up her head rather
dehantly.
IL have good Elsbeth and old Giles"
ne'er had a maid to guard her. What
wouldst thou better. couslnT'
The buckle or her shoe coming loose,
she leaned over to fasten 1t when the
Cross that she wore on the fine gold
chain about her neck fell to the floor
"My chain hath broken" she cried,
"an' / promised dear Hulda that I
would wear her gift until diedl Is
there a goldsmith hereabout Josiahr
Yes; old Adam Browdie, next the
Sign Of the Red Heart In the village" he
answered. But, cousin, 1t were i'll for
thee to ornament thyself with that un.
holy papist cross. 'Tis our belief that
such forma are for the use OF idol wor-
shippers and are instruments OF the dew
H. Already the village folk talk of the
cross OF gold thou doth wear so pub
licly with dlsfavor."
With sudden movement he rose and
came to her side, standing over her
sternly,
Burn II, Margaret! Burn the en-
blem that doth menace the salvation OF
thy soul! Burn the wicked trophyw he
commanded.
Margaret slipped the chain and cross
into the bosom OF her dress. "Be seat.
ed, JOSIAH" she said coldly, "unless thy
visit Is done and thou wouldst go on
thy way"
Just moment longer" He walked
across the room and resumed his seat.
Bends OF perspiratlon stood out on his
forehead, and he spoke with an effort.
Il would further demonstrate with
thee. Last night, Margaret, my mother,
who doth love thee with mothers love,
ever holding thy best interests close to
her heart, and sat talking OF thee un.
I'll late into the night. We spoke kind
ly Of thy beauty OF face and form, but
agreed that we liked not thy gay and
frivolous taste In dressing. Then my
mother. loving thee so truly, made ex-
cuses for thee, saying that thy father
wronged thee when he sent thee to
thine aunt In Paris 70 grow up in the
worldly ways OF that wicked city,
where all the women are vain and friv-
olous and all the men potroops, black
guards
II deny that all the men are pol
troons and blackguardsw Margaret
cried, her face flushing with anger.
Heed thy words. Iosiahw
He went on In his cold, immovable
way. as ir she had not spoken:
AN, though we fully realize his mis-
take In that particular, we rejoice in
thy fathers wisdom that ordered thy
return to thy native land when thou
had reached thy majority, here to
spend the remainder OF thy days"
Margaret made no response, but sat
before him quietly. Indifferent to his
words, iindlng him even more tlresome
Than usual and inwardly wondering
when he would consider IL expeqlent
to take his departure, and Josiah. mis-
tnlSing her silence for acqulescence and
approval OF his remarks, took courage
to advance n step farther In his deep
rooted scheme to win the young mis-
tress Of the Maryland farm.
Hast ever thought. Margaret, what
idea thy father had In his mind when
he did select me for the manager OF
| thine estateT
| "1'hOu didst ask me that before and