Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-28
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For answer the rough breeze tossed

For answer the rough breeze tossed
her hair about and blew the white
points of her kerchief over her face.
"Ah," she murlnured softly, 81 need
not thy tickle confirmation, shifting
windsi My heart, that is ever my best
guidance, doth give me assurance that
he'll come tonight! What frock shall
l Wear, dull Elsbeth, with no thought
above thy mending? Shall l do him
honor and receive him as stately
Partisan lady in my silken gown of
peachblow hue with feathers waving
high above my head, or shall l let
him take me to his heart as simple
mountain maiden with smooth hair,
gray homespun frock and sober coun-
tenance2 Whichever way, good Els
beth, will Godfrey like me best!"
Elsbeth. enjoying the girls happy
mood, smiled indulgently.
can my opinion were worth the Civ
ing iii such n case" she replied, me
thinks Sir Godfrey will see only the
happy light in thy blue eyes and thy
red lips when first he cometh."
AIi'peth. 4hti SaiNt siilOls iNi hhSti
at her companion, laughing lightly.
Thou hath surely had a lover, al
though thou hast ever denied it, or else
how knowest thou SO well their ways?
Come, I'll wear my peachblow silk, be-
deck myself in the grandest fashion
and receive my Godfrey in the with
drawing room with all the honors
hosfn,,, l,n Ii, 4,
to visit me. The kingw she exclaimed,
| with disdalnful toss of her head
| "Forsooth, what is Il king compared to
Godfrey"
| The sight of the complete alteration
| of her charge for this man caused Il
feeling of pain to strike the elder WON
ans heart, and as she unfastcned the
lacing of Margarct's bodice she felt
compelled to say:
"Methinks 'twere not well, sweet, to
/ fasten thy heart so entirely on a man
not Yet thy husband. An old woman
with much experience of the world
| doth know that many men, especially
worldly men of fashion as Sir Godfrey
La Fabienne, WOO maid with mad
hot love, then ride away, leaving her
to cure II broken heart"
"Elsbeth!' exclaimed Margaret sharp
ly. cease thine idle chatter and dare
not cast thy vile insinuations against
Sir Godfrey in my presence"
Her face flushed, tears filled her
eyes, and she took the lacings out of
Elsbeth's hands as though she no Ion
ger wished her aid, walking from her.
"Forgive me, sweet Margaret" Els
beth followed her anXiously, regret at
her words showing in her countenance.
'Tis but my love for thee that gives
me false anxiety, bonny, for thy happi.
ness Is my happiness, an thy sorrow
more than my sorrow"
For Il time Margaret was silent; then
she said with great seriousness: els
beth, never again express doubt of Sir
Godfrey. Doubt that the sun riseth to
light the earth; doubt that night falls
upon the day; doubt thy love for me
but never cherish such thoughts us
thou didst give voice to moment
since against Sir Godfrey La Fabienne
ii man." she continued in a low, pas.
sionate voice, 80 much to me, so deep
~ rooted in my affections, that l could
die for very joy of loving him. Were
the earth to divide us, Elsbeth, we are
one-onc heart and one soul forever"
Then, after Il deep felt silence, she
added in brighter tones, But, prithee
come, the peachblow gown an happy
faces, for this is joyful day, good
-4.;ul,i:=