Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-28
CHAPTER vi.

hard, unyielding nature, young
Tailnston, in his life of struggle
and trial to keep his farm intact,
had obtained what success was his
through firm resolve, grim determine
ton and desperate endeavor. Where
he could not bend he had broken, and
now to gain his ends lie knew no other
method So, instead of Disgusting his
disapproval of his Cousins light con-
duct, he chose rather to place on his
pale, gaunt features an expression of
hardness and disapproval as he rose
stiflly at the sound of the soft rustling
of skirts approaching to receive her.
With her hair brushed smoothly back
| and prim kerchief crossed over her
shoulders, hiding the fair round neck
that the dainty cotton frock she wore
disclosed, her face calm and serene,
but withal a very different creature
| from the merry young woman who but
| Il moment since had been running on
| the old wall, Margaret entered quiet
| ly and babe her kinsman be seated.
lie did this awkwardly, appearing i'll
Mt ease. Margarets heart felt chilled
1t was all SO gloomy here, SO cold and
| solemn. For the moment her thoughts
turned toward Paris with bitter long
ing.
Josiah shifted OH his chair and work
ed his pale lips as though he were at
q loss for words and was angered ut
the fact.
AT last Margaret broke the silence.
1 80 bNwaS plpSt etny,,, .rnol
cousin. Were thy lands much dam
aged?"
| Nay" he replied. Being in the val
ley, we are protected some. But thou
Margaret, thy lands stretch broadly in
the open. Hast thou suffered losses?"
Margaret laughed lightly.
"I' truth, Josiah, I have not given
the matter thought. Farming / wot,
is not woman's work or else the
it,
Josiah's small eyes glittercd.
"Thou hast spoken the truth" he
cried, the words fairly bursting from
his mouth in his eagcrness to speak
them. TO manage an estate, / faith,
is not woman's work. Why, cousin l
warrant that these lands under thy
management alone in two years would
detract III value to one.half. Thy
father, Margaret, ever with an eye to
thy best interests, gave me the stew
ardship of thine estate Didst never
occur to thee what his object was in
this:"
He knew, Josiah, that thou wouldst
perform thy duties punctually," she re-
piled pleasantly, suppressing yawn
behind her hand, "for thou art known
to be Jealous man and one of integri-
ty. l ever feel that cannot thank thee
enough for thy watchful care of mine
estate, good cousin"
Margaret" Josiah said, a dark flush
spreading over his countenance, my
mother-in fact, several of thy neigh
bors have remarked that it is not meet
for so young and fair Il maid to live
alone"
Margaret threw up her head rather
defiantly.
II have good Elsbeth and old Giles"
she replied, AN two better watchdogs
meier had a maid to guard her. What
wouldst thou better, cousin?"
The buckle of her shoe coming loose,
she leaned over to fasten 1t when the
cross that she Wore on the fine gold
chain about her neck fell to the floor.
my chain hath broken" she cried.
"an' l promised dear Hulda that
would wear her gift until 1 died! Is
there goldsmith hereabout, Josiah?"
Eyes; old Adam Browdie, next the
Sign of the Red Heart in the village" he
answered. But cousin it We're i'll for
thee to ornament myself with that I'M
holy papist cross. Ills our belief that
such forms are for the use of idol wor-
Slippers and are Instruments of the dew
IL. Already the village folk talk of the
cross of gold thou doth wear so pub
licly with disfavor."
With n sudden movement he rose and
came to her side, standing over her
sternly.
Burn it, Margaret! Burn the en-
blem that doth menace the salvation of
thy SOUL Burn the wicked tropliy," he
commanded.
Margaret Slipped the chain and cross
into the bosom of her dress. "Be seat.
ed, Josiah" she said coldly, "unless thy
visit Is done and thou wouldst 90 on
thy way"
Just moment longer" He walked
across the room and resumed his seat
Beads of perspiration stood out on his
forehead, and he spoke with an effort.
Il would further demonstrate with
thee. Last night, Margaret, my mother
who doth love thee with Il mothers love
ever holding thy best interests close tc
her heart and | sat talking of thee un
til late into the night. We spoke kind
~ of thy beauty of face and form, bul
agreed that we liked not thy gay and
frivolous taste in dressing Then my
mother, loving thee so truly, made eX.
cuses for thee, saying that thy father
wronged thee when he sent thee tc
thine aunt in Paris to grow up in the
worldly ways of that wicked CITY
where all the women are vain and friv.
olous and all the men poltroons, black
guards
Il deny that all the men are pol
troons and blackgunrds" Margaret
cried, her face flushing with anger
Heed thy words, JOSIAH"
He went on in his cold, immovablC
way, as If she had not spoken:
"An', though we fully realize his mis-
take in that particular, we rejoice III
thy fathers wisdom that ordered thy
return to thy native land when thou
had reached thy majority, here to
spend the remainder of thy days"
Margaret made no response, but sat
before him quietly, Indifferent to his
words, finding him even more tiresome
than usual and inwardly wondering
when he would consider it expedient
to take his departure, and Josiah, mis-
taking her silence for acquiescence and
approval of his remarks, took courage
to advance step farther in his deer
rooted scheme to win the young mis-
tress of the Maryland farm.
Hast ever thought, Margaret, what
idea thy father had in his mind when
I L. 4