Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-08


Il want none Of thee nor thine ex-
amplesr' Margaret cried angrily.
And thou must cease thy persecu-
tions. Know now for once and for all
that | much mislike thee, that loathe
and hate thee, and that / hope our
paths Will never cross again.
"An' thou hast no gratitude, woman,
for my service on thine estate, for
its present value on account Of mine
endeavors?" ?"
Thou hast had the yearly stipend
that thou did agree was sufficient"
she replied. Now an for the last
time, let me pass"
Seeing the expression Of strength and
resolution on her face and her manner
so disdainful of him, Josiah sickened
as realization Of his absolute inabili-
ty to control this woman came over
him. Almost crazed with despair. he
spoke furiously, hardly knowing what
he said.
Hear me once more, an then thou
canst go the downward path thou hast
chosen unmolested. The honest pur-
pose of an upright man is as a stencil
in thy nostrils because, wanton, thou
lowest the wicked ways of thy French
lover!"
Her blue eyes grew black, then fair
" blazed. ''Take carev' she said.
Josiah, unheeding, went on sneering-
ly, all the pent up hatred and jealousy
in his heart coming out Of his white
lips in taunting phrases.
"Thy French lover, whose sweet en-
ticing ways and gallant bearing thou
doth so much admire-he that was to
follow thee anon, TO press his suit,
wed thee an live restfully on thine
estate, spending thy gold for his pleas
ure until he died-why cometh he not?
Whose arms intwine about him, keep
ing him away?'
'I warn thee to take carew Margaret
cried in deep anger.
"Where is thy truant lover? Soft
hearted fool. Dost think he e'er Jared
forth from Lunnon up these hills to see
thee once his eyes fell on the beauty O.
the maids of that gay city? 1t angers
me to see thee, my cousin, standing
there deceived woman, defending to
an honest man the name of poltroon,
blackguard and libertinew
With a quick motion she raised her
hand and gave him q singing slap
across the face. He looked at her for
an instant, not comprehending what
had happened, with open mouth and
staring eyes. Then as realization of
what she had done swept over him
blood so angry flew to his head that it
maddened him. Springing toward her,
he caught her in his arms in a close en-
brace
"Thou'lt kiss me where thou struck
me-" he cried with wild passion, ''or
else I'll kill theer'
She rocked and swayed in his en-
brace.
Josiah, loathe thee! Let me go!'
"Then,' he said, with gloating in his
voice, 'if e'er thy gallant courtier low
er happen doth give thee thought
enough to ride this way I'll make my
boasts on theel So kiss me, wanton,
if not for love then for thy lifev'
She felt his hot breath on her cheek,
saw relentless determination in the
steely eyes above her, and, desperately
trying to free an arm, felt herself in
closed as in wise of iron.
Godfrey she called, now greatly
frightened.
"Aye, call himl He'll come anon
when he doth grow a-weary of the
maids in Lunnon," he painted sneer-
ingly.
Both young and strong, they strug-
gled desperately, Margaret trying to
reach his face with her clutchlng fin
gers, but he held down her hands and
laughed at her tauntingly.
Godfrey, Godfrey"
Her voice rang out strong and clear
through the forest.
Doth some one callY'
Footsteps were heard running. Jo-
siah loosed his hold slightly, listening.
"'Tis /, Margaret Maylandl7
A man burst through the thicket and,
with sharp exclama lion, caught
Taunston by the shoulders, swung him
round with the strength of giant and
with a we'll directed blow felled him to
the ground, where he lay apparently
lifeless.
"Godfreyr'
Margaret, white faced and fainting.
was clasped in the embrace Of heI
lover, who, holding her to his hears
looked at the PROSTATE figure with
fierce glances Of anger.
"The scoundrel doth mover La Fa-
bienne drew his sword. "Pll kill him
where he laysI'
NAY, dear Godfrey, have not murder
on thy SOUL" she said tremblingly,
with soft compelling. "'Tis my cousin,
Josiah Taunston, who was but angered
that / would not consent to wed with
him."
La Fabienne's brow grew dark.
Gods pity. 'Twere not murder to
finish that white livered hound! Rather
'twould be a deed of kindness to the
world" he answered sternly, sheathinS
his sword with reluctance. But to
please thee, sweet, an because / would
not add further to thine horrors, shall
not molest him further"
He kissed her face and wound his
duOul h@l III a. oASNtANA7
ate and protecting.
Come with me, Margaret"
She advanced a step or two, then
paused, looking back hesitatingly.
''Is he dead, Godfrey? / think but Of
his mother and poor Hetty."
La Fabienne laughed scornfully.
NAY, my love, fear not, but come
with me. His kind dieth not so cas-
ily."
As the last sound of their voices died
ON the breeze Josiah Taunston, his face
livid, with blood dropping from his nos
trils, staggered to his feet and, clinging
TO tree for support, glanced with wild
eyes of hatred in the direction the low
ers had taken.
$50 no, thou hast arrived" he pant
ed with quick drawn breath. Fool,
thou didst not die, but art here j. the
flesh to use thy persuasions with my
cousin against me an my rightful
claimsi Insistence an firmness, had ye
not come, would have l. the long run
won her, an the farm lands would have
been miner'
He stood erect, endeavoring to stanch |
the flow of blood and muttering prom !
ises and threats to himself.
"But with that woman dangler's |
arms about her, Josiah Taunston, thou |