Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-27

n advance a step farther IN mis- deep
rooted scheme to win the young MIS-
tress of the Maryland farm.
"Hast ever thought, Margaret, wna'
,dea tbv father had in his mind when
no did select me for the manager Vi
thine estate"
"Tbou didst ask me that before, ana
!, truth. good cousin, ] am fam TO con-
fess that neer gave much thougnt
on the subject" Margaret replied In
differently. "Perchance he knew OF
tbv good business ability and that thou
wouIdst order all things well for his
daughters benefit"
Josiah, leaning forward, spoke I'M
pressively.
"His idea was that should learn the
land, so that one day I would be mas
hpr here. Knowest thou that he named
me for thy husband, cousin?"
"Nay. tits not So" Margaret cried e1-
citedly, rising and confronting him, "or
else it would be SO stated In his docu-
ments. In them it Is most clearly writ
that only at my death, should l die
without issue, art thou successor here!
Calm myself, good cousin. Inc
thought is new to thee, and therefore
thou'rt disturbed. To me-" he added In
a low voice, ''this thought hath been
food and drink since thy father--l
mean," hastily correcting himself
"since first l saw thee"
He rose and came to her.
"Take time to think on the words
ha' Just spoken. Pray for guidance to
see the wisdom of accepting the love
and protection of true hearted, right
eous and God fearing man, Margaret,
an thrust not aside carelessly the offer
| of marriage he now makes to thee"
She lifted her head hastily as II to
speak, but Josiah stopped her with
stern, peremptory motion OF his hand'
NAY, cousin, answer not now. Such
grave consideration as is now before
thee takes time to think on. I'll speak
with thee OH the subject again when
thou hath let the thought Of me in the
position of thy husband dwell longer in
thy heart. God guide thee to right de-
cision. Fare thee well, Margaret May
land"
She courtesied stif1y, and he, after in
clining his head, strobe through the
open doorway and, mounting his horse,
! .1<Jo town vi tho villa
At the sound Of the closing OF the
door Margaret ran to the window ana
threw open the lattice, exclaiming with
shiver: "'Tis damp and musty In this
room, or else it's my cousins PROPOSE
| tion that hath chilled me. I'll let the
sunshine in, and Giles can put some
logs to burn in the chimney place.
Prithee, the room must be warm and
cheerful for Godfrey, who" she whis-
pered happily, NOW that the storm Is
broken, will come ere nightfall."
| For a. time she looked out OF doors,
humming gay tune lightly, then, leav.
ing the room, ran up the stairs and
bursting into the chamber where Els
beth was sitting mending linen, stood
before her with flushed face and spar
king eyes.
"What frock shall / wear for God
frey, Elsbeth?"
"Sir Godfrey hath come" The wo
man laid down her work and looked q,
Margaret in surprise, who answered
petulantly: NAY, dullard. How could
he travel in such awful storms DEL
mountain roads he knows nOt?'
She drew a piece Of paper from bel
bosom, reading slowly, Tuesday
shall reach the inn at HackvOn, lay
there one night and wilt be with thee
on the morrow, Wednesday,
She raised the paper to her lips.
"Thus reads his missive, Elsbeth
Thou'lt remember that the storm rose
wild Wednesday, now six days gone
By. An so, alb, me-" she sighed dismal
", poor Godfrey hath been imprison
ed all these dreary hours in that fou
tavern, the Puritan, where we were
forced to rest when we journeyed hith
err" For moment she was silent
"But the storm hath broken and Sc
him freew she cried triumphantly, lift
ing her radiant face to the sunlight
"And now, I promise thee. he rideti
fast to Cragenstone"
Suddenly she grew more serious and
seating herself on little stool at ELS
; beth's feet, rested her elbows on TIM
woman's lap above the mending, GOV
cred her face with her hands and ap
peared to be in deep thought.
:, "What thinkest thou, Elsbeth, OF m.
cousin Josiah?" she asked after time
"He hath the appearance of an up
right man and godly," the other replies
81 "
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