Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-11
Author of "ln Love and Truth"

| I would not wed with him and make
him the master Of the Maryland farmv'
"'Tis false" Numbered Taunston.
"shut the screeching wench's MOUTH
Heed while there is yet time and
dispense" Margaret cried, seeming
not to notice his interruption, "for 1
do assure We that for every insult put
upon me head will answer for it'
Elsbeth, who had been sobbing in
the doorway, frantic with fear, now
ran to Margaret and, throwing her
arms about her, cried entreatingly
Hush thy harsh words, sweet Twill
only anger them the more. These good
folk have naught against thee; it's thy
gold cross that they mislike. Take it
of and burn it before them all, an
they will go their way, leaving thee
! unmolested, Til warrant thee, babe"
The distressed old woman looked to-
werd the throng Of stern, unyieldina
faces entreatingly, but their only re-
Spouse to her appeal was the loud cry
Of 'sThe cross, Satan's death dealing
charml The crossl The CROSSE
The turbulent crowd surged nearer,
and one woman, more excited than the
others, sprang at Margaret, making a
snatch at the cross as though to tear 1t
off, In a second the handle Of Josiah
Taunston's riding whip fell on her
shoulder heavily.
'Fool!'' he said under his breath, d.
recting dark look at her. 'sWouldst
thou destroy the evidence?"
The woman, greatly abashed, fell
back among the crowd.
The mistress of Maryland farm, with
flashing eyes, put her hand over the
cross protectingly, and she pushed her
old nurse from her with firm determi-
nation, saying: "Elsbeth, thy words do
I'LL my heart with shame. A Maryland
asked to do the bidding Of these village
churls Margaret Maryland to be told
what to wear and what not to wear by
these Ignorant, prejudiced people! I
have done no wrong. My cross con-
tains no evil"
AS full sense Of the wrongful injus-
tice from which she was suffering
swept over her Margaret turned upon
the crowd Of accusers again, this time
more furiously.
This Cross wear, no man can touch
1t while live!" she cried. "And as ye
have thought 1t seeniy to byaaazz me as
witch and bring soldiers here to ar
rest me, do defy ye and do warn ye
not to lay hands on me until ye have
first notified my aff1anced husband, Sir
Godfrey La Fabienne, Of thine inten-
tion!''
Jeers, CALCULATIONS Of derision and
contempt, also loud, scornful laughter,
followed Margaret's words.
"Sir Godfrey La Fabiennew shrieked
one woman shrilly. "Ha, ha! She doth
command us to notify her white livered
over! Ho, hor'
With proud, hopeless gesture of her
he'd the accused woman turned from
the crowd of sneering, sinister faces
before her and, addressing the captain
Of the guard, who stood close at her
side, sud entreatingly, Good captain,
wilt thou not send notice Of this out
rage to my friend. Sir Godfrey La Fa-
bienne. who for some good reason hath
been detained at yonder tavern by the
mill stream, the Sign Of the Red
Hearth"
"One moment, mistress"
The man stepped down and, going to
Josiah Taunston, appeared to be con-
sulting him, the concourse of people,
now grown SILENT watching with bated
breath. Suddenly Taunston threw up
his head and let forth harsh, unmirth-
full shout of laughter.
"Canst send message to her lover?"
he cried In loud voice of triumph.
NAY, man, thou cannot, for the das-
tard hath run away, and no man know
eth whither!"
With angry chances from her flashing
eyes Margaret turned upon him.
Josiah Taunston"-the words came
slowly and distinctly from her pale
lips-"the truth is not on thy lips, and
l tell thee that thou lieth. And heed
thee how loudly thou doth speak, for
the man liveth not long who doth call
Sir Godfrey La Fabienne dastard!"
Taunston rode few PAGES closer to
the steps and before the throng of ri
otous men and women, who We're now
capering on the green in wild enjoy
ment Of their knowledge of her lovers
departure and Of Margaret's speedy
discontinue, the cousins, the accuser
and accused, were face to face.
"Wanton! Witch! Thing of evilw
he said in low, sneering voice. Hear
the truth from the lips Of one who
e'er speaks truth! Thy lover, thy
beauteous, honorable, noble lover, who
did talk so bravely to win thy favors
hath at the first sign of trouble run
away l. the night"
"'Tis not true!" Margaret cried with
set face and cleaning eyes. Il call
thee here before all listeners a speaker
of untruths and do brand thee as q
liarw
"Ho, no" Taunston turned and adj
dressed the chief councillor, who had
come closer, with expressions of tri-
umph in his voice and on his face.
"The witch liketh not the news we
bring her and refuseth to believe that