Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-06
BY ANITA CLAY MUNOZ.
Author of I'm Love and Truth"

sSs - - - ."9t''Sa..sSrs,c
OF the onIooKers. Inc usual NUMBER OF
loiterers stood about the steps. and to
his brief salutation they returned sui
len looks and ominous scowls. SO sig
nif1cant that La Fabienne's anger was
aroused.
"Diable"-he turned upon them furi-
ously, laying his hand upon his sword
hilt, intense indignation on his face
"curs, whelps, that burst not speak, but
stand about silent conveying threaten
ings in thy glances! have tried to ig-
more ye, but endurance now hath
ceased. If any man or all Of " have
aught against me let him step forward
and accuse me, and"-drawing his
sword-'that one will see that am not
loath to defend myself against his ac-
cusations."
The group Of countrymen, alarmed
at his vehemence and evident determi-
nation, drew back from him hastily.
towards! If there is man among
We, let him step out, and once for all
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 We
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 to
step out. I'd like to settle with him the
first Of all. Not come yetY' he repeat
ed, turning to the innkeeper, who stood
near and who had ventured to give the
information. az truth, he hath not come,
nor will he until from his skulking
place in the forest he hath seen me,
the man he hath cause to fear, well out
Of his wayr'l
Then he took off bis glove and dashed
1t on the ground before the men.
when thy leader-thy brave, upright
leader-doth arrive. give him that glove;
tell him that Sir Godfrey La Fabienne
calleth him woman striker and COW
ard! And If after that" he continued,
with an angry laugh, "he careth not to
fight, by heaven, when next we meet
he'll take a well deserved horsewhip-
ping" Then he sheathed his sword
and, slowly followed by his servant,
strobe away in the direction of the
Maryland farm.
A moment later Josiah Taunston,
white. faced and looking as If he had
heard the loud and angry words just
uttered, came around from the back Of
the inn. The men, excltedly pointing to
the glove, told him what had been said
He listened quietly, with sheer on his
face, nor did he move it until one young
fellow, STOPPING to pick up the chal-
lenge, was suddenly sent sprawling on
the ground by q push from Josiah.
Needless callantv' he exclaimed in
a low, terrible voice. "Wouldst thou
touch aught belonging to an accomplish
of witch? Hath forgotten Christopher?
john" calling to the innkeeper, throw
burning fagot on that devils instru-
ment that it may be consumedw
"Wilt thou take the cavaliers words
and make no answer, mani" whisper
ed a neighbor, following Josiah into
the drinking room of the tavern.
"Why, he said he'd horsewhip thee for
a cowardw
Taunston turned to him with black
look on his face, sinister and contain,
ing evil not unmixed with triumph
Hell get his answer. Yonder pop
Inlay, now at his lady's feet, will get
his answer ere the rising Of another
sum-" he said significantly. "Mayhap
I will not bring it to him in person,
but the answer will be one that will
satisfy his worst enemy, an wot the
fool hath many Of them. Ha, ha'-his
laughter was cruel and triumphant
"again do assert that he'll get his
answer, neighbor! Forsooth, he'll get
his answer!'