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

and wearing an air of great |
dependency, leaned over the
gate idly. She was lonely, and
ON underlined feeling of fear was upon
her. Some happening Of more than
usual interest had drawn the men from
the farm earlier tonight, and, having
laid a cold supper on the table for her
mother and Josiah, she hung about the
dooryard, eagerly awaiting the advent
of the first conner to relieve the monot-
ony of the lonely hour and bring her
news Of what was happening. Soon the
sound of horses hoofs was heard.
"Ah"-she breathed a sigh of relief
"Josiah home ut last"
The horse and rider approaching
nearer, Hetty discovered the latter to
he none other than her former friend
and lover. Simon Kempster, who since
their final understanding in the dairy
had met her with cool Indifference,
doffing his cap and passing by IN 81
lence. At the unexpected sight OF him
Hetty's heart gave a bound, ana the
blood rushed to her face. Surely, she
thought this sad night when she was
so lonely he would pause for the even
ing chat to which they had been ac-
customed for so many months. Oh,
why had she not put the pink blossom
in her hair that he admired 80 much!
Hetty was frightened, apprehensive.
She wished he would stop, If only for
one short moment, and, although the
Young woman had other ideas for
husband, she had admitted to herself
more than once Of late that for COM
mon everyday friend Simon did very
we'll. that she missed him and that her
heart was little sore at his treat
ment of her since she refused to mar
nv him. Kempster reached the gate
way.
"a greeting, Simon"
The soft, futtering voice fell on
Kempsters ears strangely. He felt a
Juggling sensation in his breast but.
controlling himself by strong effort,
regarded the little smiling, enticing
face coldly.
"a good even, mistress" he said'
with quiet civility. Then he rode on,
possibly trife faster, without even
backward glance.
For moment she stood speeches.
with surprise; then as an understand
ing of his meaning came to her she
drew a sharp breath and tossed her
head angrily.
"Now I will marry my French cour-
tier when he doth GOMEZ she exclalm-
ed hotly. "a common farming man
need ne'er take such high hand with
me. He hung so much about me IN
tbe latter months and l was e'er SO
friendly with him that | thought twas
ONLY decent to offer him greeting.
But" with shrug Of her shoulders,
"I'u ha' done with him now, and
mayhap-when I'm gone from him to
France forever"-with little tremDie
in her yoice-"he'll regret his colo
looks an ugly manners"
Pouting her lips. she took seat upon
the bench at the door and soon grew
so absorbed in her plans towreak venge-
ance on poor Kempster that she dio
not hear the firm, quiet step OF her
mother nor was she conscious of her ap-
proach until the harsh voice fell sharp
ly on her ears.
cart pining again, foolish lass? Canst
find naught to do but sit and think thy
silly thoughts?' she asked sternly.
"Where are the tallOw dips, that they
are not lighted? Am /, that am weary
with a day Of prayerful toll. to cross
NV threshold into darkened house!
Once thou vert Of some use and handy
at thy work, but of late, prithee, us
naught but dreams and signs! And tiny
pale face and absent mind doth fairly
madden me-"
Hetty, who had risen at the first
words. now hastily entered the house,
followed by her mother, still scolding.
She lighted the candles and hung the
kettle on the hob, saying as she did so:
"Forgive me, mother. My thoughts
were but of our cousin Margaret, whom
I met an hour since walking on the
highway. She stopped to have speech
with me; but, remembering thy strict
injunctions not to speak to her, turned
NV face and passed by hurriedly
Once paused to glance backward, and
she was still standing where had met
her. looking after me with such sad
surprised and grieved expression on
her fair face that tears sprang to mine
eyes, and ran hastily toward nome
lest l might be tempted to disobey thee
and 60 to my cousin"
J "Thou passed her on the road an
she looked long at thee with her evil
eyesY cried the dame in great conster
, nation. mo wonder l. find thee with
pale face and pining. All, woe Is me
| What trouble more will come upon this
houseW
! "What meanst thou, mother?" Hetty
: regarded her mother apprensively.
II mean, Henrietta TaunstOn, thai
thy cousin is a witch, woman In con
nivance with the devil to invoke harm
to God loving people, and that she haiti
been proclaimed so to be by the PEG
ple," the woman replied, with stern
ness that did not quite cover up Ger
tain gloating in her manner. ITO tn!
knees, girl, and pray for Gods goot
influence to overcome the evil to which
thou hast been exposed today"
UncOnvinced, trembling and wonder
ing, the little Puritan sank down upol
her knees before wooden chair ant
covered up her face with her hands.
Later that night, as Josiah Taunstol
was putting up his horse In the barn,
light football was heard, and q small
gray clad figure came toward him has