Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-18
Author of I'm Love and Truth"

would have spread constant disaster
all about her. Mayhap an her evil in
clination induced her. she continued
mysteriously in low voice. Sarah
Goodwin had changed human beings
into animals. called up the resting
spirits of the dead and put the curse of
her black magic OH those who might
have innocently approached her. But.
prithee, good Margaret, look not so
for witchcraft among our mountain
people hath ever been thought the
blackest of crimes, no punishment or
torture being considered too great to
suffer in expiation. 'Tis thing with
which we have no tolerance, cousin,
for of all evil happenings in the world,
of a truth, it is the most vicious and
malignant"
Margaret shuddered and turned
away.
"Methinks thou couldst have chosen
q cheerful subject, Hetty, wherewith to
while away the hours of gloomy
morning" she said reproachfully.
Rising from the couch. she walked
to the window and, throwing open the
lattice, looked out of doors,
"Ah, happy dayl" she exclaimed.
Sunshine at last! See yonder cloud,
cousin. Bright rays are breaking
through it, Old Giles was right this
morning when lie said that the fierce
wind had shifted and now lay in the
western quarter. promising that we
would see the sun before night Re
toice with me, sweet Hetty."
For time in silence they watched
the beauty of the golden tinted clouds
breaking apart and drifting about un-
der the blue sky; then Margaret. whose
face expressed great happiness and
who seemed unable to contain her high
spirits, said: Art not aweary of the
close, damp air of the house? Come,
let us walk ON the old stone wall by
the pasture, for the ground is much too
water soaked, and witness for our
selves what havoc the storm hath
played"
Hastily procuring light cape, she
threw it over the muslin house dress
she wore, and, Hetty following, the
girls, refusing to listen to the protests 4
of Elsbeth, who met them on the stairs,
against going out of doors on such a
morning, stepped out on to the ground,
picked their way daintily-with much
light laughter-over the wet paths,
climbed the wall and, holding hands.
ran gayly with the light heaFtedness Of
school children set free after long con-
fnement along the top of the broad
stone wall.
out into the open and breathe fresh
air again. Margaret exclaimed. her
blue eyes sparkling aud her cheeks
aglow,
The ribbon that bound her hair came
loose, and in very abandonment Of
youth and health she threw it away,
freeing her heavy masses Of hair to the
of the wind, which caught it
UP tcnderly, allowing the sun to kiss
it with its sparkling rays, gently toss
ed 1t about her head; then, as if catch
ing the gay mood Of its owner, it grew
more playful and roughly swept the
tresses before Margarets eyes, so that
she almost stumbled as she ran. A
large oak branch hung low over the
wall, With cry Of pleasure Margaret
caught hold of it and, lifting her feet,
swung out into the air and back to the
wall again, laughing joyfuliy at her
achievement as she ran on to the end
Of the wall.
''Afargaretr' Hetty exclaimed, run
hing after her cousin, rather breathless
Mt the whole proceeding. What merry
spirit of mischief doth possess thee?"
Take my haad. sweet cousin, and
run some of the Puritan stiffness out
Of thee" Margaret replied with flush
ed face and smiling lips. My blood Is
coursing through my Veins and my
heart beats gaxiy today because the
roads are drying up that lead from
London to this village, Look not so
bewildered, sweet. Thou'lt know
anon why thy cousin welcomes wind
ana sun See, the clouds are scatter
ing and drifting far away. Come, Het-
Ly, once morew And, taking her Cousins
hand, they ran together to the end of
the wall,
I'm out o. breath, but back again!
lT wager I'll get there before thee,
slow Hetty."
She paused moment, looking to-
ward the house.
What man is that demanding admit
tancef" she asked. "Methinks he looks
on us with disapproval."
Thou knowest well tits JOSIAH" fall
tered Hetty. "Dost think he saw US
running, cousin?"
AYE, even so an he did. What careth
thou or II" Margaret replied indiffer-
emily as she proceeded calmly toward
the house along the top of the wall, fol-
lowed by Hetty, now white faced and
greatly abashed.
I'VE will go to meet him, Hetty, and
give him greeting"
Josiah Taunston busted himself with
tying his horse to a tree until his cous-
in and sister approached, then, stand
ing erect, regarded them coldly, with
an unsmiling expression in bis small
gray eyes.
II give thee good day, Cousin Josiah"
Margaret said quietly. How can l
serve thee? Wilt enter?"
She threw open the door
Thank thee, Cousin Margaret" he
replied in a hard, rasping voice. Il but
rode up with message for my sister"
Until then lie had ignored Hetty, but
now turned upon her suddenly with
great sternness in his manner
But before / deliver it, Hetty, /
would like to ask thee IL in thy recent
conduct on yonder wall thou bethought
thee that the servants were taking no
tice, also neighbors who might be pass
ing by?"
Margaret, tossing her hair back with
her hand, disdained to answer, and
Hetty, much crestfallen, replied hasti-
ly: Twas but the pleasure of an idle
Josiah What message sent
my mother?'
''She thinks, as | do, that thou hast
been here long enough" he said signifi-
cantly. "Thy mother hath need of
thee"
'I'll go at once, brother" she answer |
ed in nervous haste.
ut is well. Margaret" turning again |
TO her. Il would have converse with |
thee an thou hast this hour idle"
His cousins face fell slightly. but she |
said pleasantly: ''Thou'rt ever welcome,
Josiah. Step into the withdrawing |
room, and when | have bound my hair |