Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-15

4
ing candle throwing out faint, uncer-
tain streaks Of light, presented weird
picture. Suddenly the horse whinnied.
Roth started.
Three hours after noon I closed
Mary Haggott's eyes in death" She
commenced her narrative slowly as one
who knew that what she had to say
would command attention. "And not
an hour later, when was still busylng
myself about the chamber of the dead,
l heard sounds Of horses feet and the
voices of men. Looking through the
lattice, espied a cavalier richly dress
ed and mounted, followed by serv-
ant. They had reached the fork In
the roadway just below Haggott's and,
having pulled rein, there waited, unde-
l cided which road to pursue. With
great interest was still gazing from
behind my place of concealment with
wonder at the unusual appearance in
these parts Of traveller so fashion
ably attired when with quick decision
the knight rode up to the door and
knocked upon 1t loudly. Little Abigail
Haggott, who waited below, answered
| the summons.
(Which road to Cragenstone?" he
asked.
"a feeling like the sharp prod of
knife went to my heart. knew at
once that such q man as that-evi-
IDENTIFY French nobleman or courtier--
sought not the village Of Cragenstone
unless he were in quest Of thy cousin
Margaret. Not one Of the plain people
that bide about here forsooth, was the
magnet that was drawing that man so
toilsomely up our rough hills. So I
listened to their further converse with
bated breath. Abigail, almost stunned
with the shock and fear Of her moth
er's death and surprised at the sudden
appearance of such man at the door,
In her confusion and nervous fear in
structed him to keep right on"
(Which road?" almost shrieked
Josiah.
1.-THE rocky, billy, torturous ascent,
with deep ravines, Astounding in tur-
bulent streams and containing preci-
pieces sharp and sudden, wherewith to
menace and endanger lives of unwary
! strangers road he took-the one
that doth lead to Sterndorf,' she an
nounced, with grim calmness that did
not conceal the note of triumph in her
voice.
Eat first when did hear the timid
| Abigail give the wrong direction and
l saw the men ride gayly forward me-
thought to call them back, for may
hap
"An thou hadst," Josiah interrupted
harshly, his face blanched with excite
ment, II had meier forgiven thee!
! Twas good hour when the maid met
him at the door and misyent the world
~ gallant!'
For moment he stood there deep
in thought; then he added: "In truth
tits a lonely road, and much doubt
that they will meet traveller to give
them other instruction. The Skollvent
stream is greatly swollen. In their
eagerness to reach what they think is
Cragenstone they will make desperate
efforts to ford it, and, once over, de-
layed in Sterndorf by this storm, tibet
will raise the water to twice it's height"
he cried triumphantly, "no human be-
ing can return across that stream in
less than seven days. Pray for con-
tinual, steady downpour of this rain,
good mother, and heaven give me skill
to make the most Of my time! Once
her faithful promise given, Margaret is
mine! And every ambitious wooer that
| cometh here after that may ride away
down the mountain to seek mate in
other quarters!'
He appeared greatly elated.
"But yestermorn, mother, was with
my cousin for two hours, and me-
/ thought her manner was less high and
cold and that she did not regard me
with disfayor."
"Josiah," his mother admonished him
with more than usual seriousness,
'have recourse to thy Bible and forget
, not thy prayers, for methinks the di-
vine hand Of the Lord is In this and
doth direct our guidance. Hast thought
of the awful pest Of measles in Stern
dorf that good Brother Sparrow brought
us news of last Saturday e'en? Scarce
man or child in the village but is
stricken. He said 1t was fell disorder
that attacked one suddenly with high
fever and frightful pains In back and
head, stating further that some were
blinded for several days!'
"Said he SOP
The red light from the dripping can
die illumined Josiah's face, showing
the exultant expression in his eyes.
"And well good Brother Sparrow
knows, for his daughter dwelleth
there. Mother, thou hast brought bet
ter tdings than at first anticipated.
And now"--with lowered voice-''no
word Of this to any other SOUL
A sudden blast Of. wind, sound of
rain SO heavy that 1t seemed as if a
cloud had burst, and the Pickering
fame of the candle was blown out,
leaving them In darkness With an
impatient exclamation Josiah drew