Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-26

elements, now rose from her seat and,
crossing tothe window, threw open the
lattice. saying with a little SILVER:
Heaven be thanked! TITS over, with no
harm done. That last peal of thunder
had murderous sound that filled my
soul with apprehension. God keep all
| travellers and dumb animals safer she
added seriously.
| La Fabienne came to her side
"If my bird is afraid of storms" he
observed suilingly, she should not
have made her nest on the topmost
peak of u mountain, so high that when
the clouds grow angry and fall low she
is pcrforcc in the midst OF the COM
notion"
Godfrey" - Margaret turned her
sweet serious face to his-"thou know
eth that thy bird rests not lightly in
| her mountain nest. Although she is
| free to fly hither and tllitler as she
listeth there is an unpleasant con-
straint in all the air about her. Oh,
bonny Paris" she exclaimed, throwing
out her hand With swift. dramatic
gesture fright willingly would l ex-
change the freedom of my village nest
for captivity in Il cage We're it hung in
thy bright streets!''
La Fabienne smiled tenderly at her
earnestness rs he cncircled her with
his arm.
Soon, sweet love, by my faith, thou
wilt exchange. he said. Already a
cage, not of gilt bars, but huge pile
of stone and mortar, with doors and
| windows, is in readiness for thee.
| From it thou art ever free to come and
| go, the only bars that will ever seek to
| stay thee being these two arms that
now intwine so lovingly about thee"
"And, prithec, happily will / stay
close to their strong protection. Oh,
my dear love-" size cried, with soft
eagerness, "dost know how much thou
art to NE? Who else in all this cold
world have L? love thee. Godfrey"
For answer he clasped her closer to
his heart.
Soon steps We're heard and, looking
from the window, they saw Hctty
Taunston, a white sunbonnet in her
hand, running up the path With n
cry of pleasure. Margaret advanced to
meet her and, taking her hand, led her
into the room.
"Hetty! Stranger! Welcomes" she
cried gayly. "Mcthought thou hadst
forsaken thy cousin"
Hetty made shy courtesy to La
Fabiennc, who bowed in his most state.
ly fashion. ana said in low, breathless
voice. Mother hast grown strangely
stern of late, dear Margaret, and fer
bids me to visit thee, for what reason
know not"
The smile on Margaret's face faded.
".An' thou dihst come now with her
consent:" she asked.
Nay, sweet cousin. In the cool of
the morning mother rode down the
mountain to Brother Haggott's, there TO
spend the night, so'-with IL little toss
of her head and Il light laugh-"!ne-
thought not to lose the chance to get
II glimpse of thee uniinownst to her"
II truth, swent' Margaret strokcl
her soft hair fondly-"an thy disohe-
dience is discovered twill put thy peo-
pie against thee sorely."
| Ictty sighed.
| Il Wot not why my mother is so hard
with me. Happen put IL small Hover
in my hair she is greatly angered.
Dost think such ornament sinful, Mar
| garrett" she asked wistfully.
Her cousin smiled, aud Lii Fabenne
broke into hearty laugh OF amuse-
| ment
Poor little Mistress Hettyr' he ex-
claimed 'Didst never have other
pleasure than singing psalms in the
churchY"
"Nay, unless tits walking home from
prayers o. nights" she replied limo
Gently.
Then, as he laughed again, this time
more loudly, Hetty became conscious,
| blushed and hung her head The sight
of her pretty confusion touched Sir
Godfrey.
Here, Margaret, string thy Lutte" lie
cried "and Mistress Hctty and / will
tread u measure
Margaret, smiling. touched the cords
gently, and La Fabicnne, bowing low,
| offered his hand to 1Ietty. who when
she understood his meaning slrnal
back in alarm, with white face ana
parted lips.
Nay, nay, sir" she stamlnered. 81
must refuse thee. In our belief dane.