Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-18

EESSsD ~ W
"1'nke time to think on the words I hd'
lust spoken"
thoughtfully, "but, 1 ween, hard and
stern, even above his kind, who, with
their long, sad faces, do dwell upon this
mountain"
"He asked this morning to wed with
me-" Margaret observed quietly.
what saidst thou?' Elsbeth exclaim-
ed, Indignation in her tone and glance.
1.-THE sour visaged churl, to want my
bonny Margaret! Didst tell him of
Sir Godfrey?"
May" blushing softly. "There are
few to whom care to say that name.
/ would have told Josiah, Nay, nay,
nayp and thrice more nay and sent him
roundly to the right about on the in
slant for his presumption, but he would
not take mine answer, and, forsooth,
commanding me harshly to let thoughts
Of him dwell In my heart until his
naughty lordship would speak with me
On the subject again, he took his de-
parture. 1t was this manner. Look,
Elsbeth."
Rising to her feet, Margaret strobe
with stiff awkwardness toward the
door.
"Ugh!' with shudder. II was fore
ed to open the lattice to let the sun
light In after he left, the room had
grown so damp and cold from his
chilling presence! So thou'lt not give
thy consent for thy Margaret's mar
riage with him, Elsbeth?' teasingy.
| Elsbeth shook her head in a know
ing manner.
"Forsooth, pretty, I trow thou'lt
wed thy lover that rideth here anon,
that thy young heart is set on, with my
consent or without it, but" she con-
tinued thoughtfully, lever will it seem
strange to me that such hard man
as thy cousin Josiah doth appear to
be should have a desire for anything
SO soft as the love Of a woman"
"Prithee, forget his gloomy face"
Margaret interrupted Grossly; then,
coming and sitting at Elsbeth's knee
again, said coaxingly: Lets talk Of
Godfrey! Oh, Elsbeth, such bonny
times, such happy hours as we will
have together" she exclaimed. with
clasped hands and quick drawn breath
Sweet Godfrey, to come SO soon! He
told me on the eve before 1 left-wher
we were both SO sad; hath forgotten
stupid Elsbeth THAT he had business
in London which would shortly brin,
him across the channel and that h.
would in probability visit me ere
were we'll settled on mine estate. Oh
Elsbeth, could wiring my hands wit
J kept him from me six long days, ant
then again 1 could sing until burs
my heart for very JOY that shall Sc
him today ere nightfall.'
Rising suddenly, she went to tn
open window and, throwing out he
arms. cried earnestly: "Oh, war;
winds, whispering winds, bring m
word that Godfrey now rideth safel
, up the mountain road-my Godfrey
whom I lover :.
) For answer the rough breeze tosse
her hair about and blew the whit
points Of her kerchief over her face.
"Ah," she murmured softly, II nee
not thy tickle confirmation, shiftin
winds! My heart, that is ever my bes
guidance, doth give me assurance the
: he'll come tonight What frock sha
t 1 wear, dull Elsbeth, with no though
l above thy mending? Shall 1 do hi
! honor and receive him as stated
Partisan lady in my silken gown {
peachblow hue with feathers wavin
r high above my head, or shall 1 Il
l him take me to his heart as a simp
= mountain maiden with smooth hal
e gray homespun frock and sober coul
tenance? Whichever way, good Ell
beth, will Godfrey like me best?"
/. Elsbeth. enjoying the girls happ
g mood, smiled indulgently.
9 "An my opinion were worth the 81
l. ing In such case" she replied, I'm
/ thinks Sir Godfrey will see only Il
Il happy light in thy blue eyes and tn
g red lips when first he cometh.'
IL "Elsbeth!' Margaret shook her fng'