Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-12-08

decision. Messengers on swift horses
ha' ridden toward Sterndorf with or
ders signed with the chief councillors
seal, who hath all control In this VII
lage. Fool, thy pure, kind Margaret
Mayland"-he laughed loud, scornful
laugh of derision-"will be taken at the
break O. day BY the kings soldiers,
now on their way from Sterndorf,
where they ha' been stationed O late
awaiting orders, and brought to trial
for witch"
"Josiah! Brotherr' Hetty gave out
one piercing scream. ThouH not
hang our Margaret"
"Nay, soothe thy fears, I'll not nang
her." he replied sneeringly, but nap.
pen the people, our good friends ana
neighbors, who have had enough OF
her damnable pranks, may decide 10
burn her"
The blood left Hetty's heart. She
groped about her blindly, then, with
another wild shrek Of horror, fell IN a
heap on the floor. Angrily and with
rough jerks Josiah tried to lift her TO
her feet; then, seeing that she was
really unconscious, he STROBE TO the
doorway, calling loudly:
"Ho, m6ther!'
She appeared at the window.
Doth want me, JOsiah?
ave. come at once an bring wa
ter, for Hetty, weak, soft headed wench
that she is, hath fallen in swoon!
That night the full moon hung low
and yellow over the mountain and sent
its clear rays through the trees, whose
branches, rustling with the soft sum-
mer breeze, cast weird, quivering
shadows on the ground. Hardly rip
ple stirred on the brook, and but for
the occasional boot Of an owl or the
call of the whippoorwill no sound dis
turbed the peaceful quiet Of the hour.
Margaret Maryland, standing before
her door, quite passed the beauty or
the evening by, 80 intent was she upon
looking down the roadway In the d.
rection Of the village. With her light
hair combed high upon her head and
caught with jeweled ornament, that
flashed and sparkled under the moons
RAYS. and her dress Of white gauze,
with fine threads Of gold woven
through its dainty meshes, clinging TO
her gracefully in soft folds, she re-
sembled some goddess or queen OF the
night that the moonbeams had come
TO worship. After time, her listening
ear catching no sounds Of approach
ing footsteps, she drew sharp breath
of impatience and, stepping down, pac-
ed restlessly back and forth before the
door.
Elsbeth appeared at the window to
draw in the lattice.
"Hath on no wrap, bonny?" she
asked solicitously. 'Thy frock is thin,
and methinks there Is much GOODNESS IN
the air tonight"
With little shiver Margaret turned
and entered the house.
"I' truth I am cold" she said; but,
more than that, a nervous and uncanny
feeling hath possession Of me. Fetch
nv cloak, Elsbeth," she added impa-
tiently as the older woman was about
to speak, "and waste not thy time In
venting foolish reasons why Godfrey
doth not come"
At that moment Sir Godfrey La Fa-
bienne, followed by his man CASTOR
to whom he was giving some final In
structions, came out of the door OF the
Sign of the Red Heart. Wearing a
doublet made Of purple velvet orna-
mented with heavy silver trimmings
long silken hose Of lavender and on his
head a velvet hat with an ostrich feath'
or sweeping over the brim, his gay ap-
pearance was in direct contrast to his
dull surroundings and the plain dress
NJ the oniookers. The usual number OF
loiterers stood about the steps, ana TO
his brief salutation they returned sui
len looks and ominous scowls 80 sig
nificant that La Fabienne's anger was
aroused.
"Diable"-he turned upon them furi'
ously. laying his hand upon his sword
bilt. intense Indignation on his face
"curs. whelps, that burst not speak, Du'
stand about silent, conveying threaten
ings in thy glances! have tried to ig
more ye,. but endurance now hatf
ceased. If any man or all of We have
aught against me let him step forward
and accuse me, Withdrawing Dis
sword-"that one will see that am not
loath to defend myself against his &C
cusationS."
The group Of countrymen, alarmed
at his vehemence and evident determi
nation. drew back from him hastily.
"Cowards! If there is man among
, We. let him step out, and once for al
we'll put an end to this stabbing In the
dark. these innuendOes and insinuations
in look and action. What, dastards!
as no one came forward. None of "
trained to fight in the open? Gods
death, but thou art valiant mothers
sons Where is thy brave leader, Mas
ter Taunston?" he scornfully cried
"An he's anywhere about. ask him tt
step out. I'd like to settle with him thu
first Of all. Not come yet?' he repeat
ed, turning to the innkeeper, who stoot
near and who had ventured to give TIT
information. az truth, lie hath not come
nor will he until from his skulkint
place in the forest he hath seen me
the man he hath cause to fear, well ou
Of his wayw
Then he took off his glove and dashed
: it on the ground before the men.
when thy leader-thy brave, uprigh
leader-doth arrive, give him that glove
, tell him that Sir Godfrey La Fabienn