Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-06
49,. 49, - :
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
ALL the long Sabbath day a mist
~ hung over the mountain 50
~ heavy and gray that twilight
came on almost unperceived.
In the quaint old English village OF
Cragenstone, situated near the top
most peak Of this particular mountain,
the early evening services were JUST
being completed In the meeting house,
q wooden structure that stood promi-
nently ON an elevation Of rocks and
sand In the center of the village, with
its sharp steeple rising dark and stern
above the shadows Of the gathering
gloom. Droning voices chanting an
anthem were heard. Then the door
was opened and the congregation filed
out in reverent silence down the rocky
pathways leading to their several
homes, nodding seriously to each 9TH
er when the time of parting came.
The solemn stiffness Of a Puritan
Sabbath day pervaded the atmosphere,
and all felt its influence, from old Fa-
Their Parrish, with homespun suit and
gray wool stockings, leaning heavily
on his staff, to pretty Hetty Taunston,
who walked slowly at her mothers
side, forcing q look of seriousness ON
her dimpled face and dropping her eye
lids demurely to cover the brightness
of her sparkling eyes as she passed
young Simon Kempster, who stood
waiting at the door, his gaze intent
upon her. Mistress Taunston. her best
gray bonnet projecting well over her
austere countenance and tied securely
under her chin, rested her hand proud
" on the arm Of her son Josiah. who.
tall. spare and grim visaged. strobe on
IN silence, the grave solemnity OF his
manner giving evidence Of his firm be-
lief In the strict and narrow teachings
of the Puritan sect to which he be-
longed.
The mist Of the day had lifted, and
through the breaking clouds overhead
an early evening star was bravely en-
deavoring to send down CLEAN to
tighten the path of the wayfarer when
mother and son entered the gateway
before their home, a low, rambling
farmhouse built securely Of logs and
cement. Pausing at the door, Mistress
Taunston, with her hand on the latch,
bent forward and looked down the
dark roadway with searching glance.
"Hetty! That trihing maid" she
exclaimed in tone Of vexation. Il
should not ha' granted her request TO
walk with Cynthia Camett for might
ha' known the twain would loiter on
the way, INDUCING In idle chatter and
forgetting the holy day"
Fret not, mother" Taunston said In
q repellsnt voice, harsh and dtscordant,
land enter, for I am chilled with the
dampness Of the night. No harm can
befall the girl, who doth but desire to
exchange greetings quietly with her
friends"
Accustomed to do her sons bidding
at the slightest word, his mother lifted
the latch, and soon the pickering light
of several candles disclosed the living
room of the farmhouse-the large kitch-
en-.
Throwing his hat and cloak on a
bench near at hand, TaunstOn sank
into a seat on the high backed settle
In the chimney place, stretching out
his legs shiveringly to receive the heat
from the burning logs. observing MS
mothers movements In silence as she
removed her bonnet and cap, then
drew forward a small pine table. scrub
bed to shining wilderness. and laid a
Bible upon 1t. Seeing that size was
about to become absorbed in reading
the customary evening chapter. he OBJ
served suddenly, with an Ill concealed
attempt at carelessness, sour cousin
Margaret must be ON her way by now,
mother"
Her missive sent to US by special
messenger doth state that she arrived
safely In London" his mother replied,
lifting her glance from the page. land
that she would proceed on her way
speedily. The frost coming out OF the
roads and recent heavy rains combine
to make travelling tedious. as thou dost
know, Josiah. But l expect within the
week to welcome thy cousin back to
~ village Of her birth"
She shook her head, signing dole
fully. IL wot twill be but a sad home.
coming for the maid. with no father
here to greet her."
"Her house and lands are In readi'
ness for her to take possession" Jo'
siah interposed gravely.
AYE, thou hast been good steward,
my son." she replied, ''since thine un'
Gle, showing rare wisdom in his dying
hour, chose thee to manage his daugh'
ter's estate"
She sat erect in her chair, speaking
earnestly.
"For who In this rocky country hath
broader pasture lands, better sheep
and cattle, finer horsefesh, an whose
hirelings are trained to labor with
more economy and speed? In the two
years thou hast been in charge Of her
estate, Josiah, thou hast proved myself
untiring In thy zeal and worthy"
II had my yearly stipend mat was
not ungenerous, mother"
Thou hast been faithful anc jealous
for thy cousins interests" bis mother
asserted, with stern emphasis. disre.
Rarding his observation entirely, an
thou should have reward, my SON
Forsooth, thou art entitled to rich re-
ward" she repeated.
The ungainly fellow moved uneasi's
on the settle, a dull red glow OF Color