Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-29
CHAPTER XY.
BY ANITA CLAY MUNOZ,


~OON the storm was spent, and
" the sun, weary Of hiding its hot
face. burst forth through the
drifting clouds that even now
were dark and moved away with low,
thunderous growls,
Margaret, who, with Sir Godfrey, had
remained in the sitting room of her
house during the awful outburst of the
elements, now rose from her seat and,
crossing to the window, threw open the
lattice, saying with little shiver:
Heaven be thanked! 'Tis over, with no
harm done. That last peal Of thunder
had a murderous sound that filed my
soul with apprehension. God keep all
travellers and dumb animals safe" she
added seriously,
La Fabienne came TO her side.
'If my bird is afraid Of storms" he
observed smilingly, "she should not
have made her nest on the topmost
peak of mountain, SO high that when
the clouds grow angry and fall low she
is perforce In the midst OF the COM
motion"
"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 thither 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 a swift, dramatic
gesture, fright willingly would L ex-
change the freedom Of my village nest
for captivity in a cage were it hung In
thy bright streets!'
La Fabienne smiled tenderly at her
earnestness as he encircled her with
his arm.
"Soon, sweet love. by my faith, thou
wilt exchanger he said. Already a
cage, not of gilt bars, but huge pile
IL 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, prithee, happily will ! stay
close to their strong protection. oh,
nav dear love-" she cried, with soft
eagerness, ''dost know how much thou
art to me? Who else in all this cold
world have L? 1 love thee, Godfrey
For answer he clasped her closer to
his heart
Soon steps We're heard and, looking
from the window, they saw Hetty
Taunston, white sunbonnet In her
hand, running up the path. With a
cry of pleasure, Margaret advanced to
| meet her and, taking her hand, led her
| Into the room.
s'Hetty! Strangerl Welcomep she
cried gayly. "Methought thou hadst
forsaken thy cousin"
Hetty made a shy courtesy to La
Fabienne, who bowed in his most state
| ly fashion, and said in a low, breathless
| voice. Mother hast grown strangely
stern of late, dear Margaret, and for
bids me to visit thee, for what reason
1 know not"
The smile on Iargarets face faded,
f!An' thou didst come now with hel
consenty' she asked.
''Nay, sweet cousin. In the cool oi
| the morning mother rode down the
mountain to Brother Haggott's, there tc
| spend the night, so"-with little toss
of her head and q light iaugh-''me
| thought not to lose the chance to ge
glimpse Of thee unknownst to her"
~ truth, sweet"-Margaret stroked
her soft hair fondly-"an thy disobe
| dience is discovered twill put thy pea
| pie against thee serely."
/ Hetty sighed.
Il wot not why my mother is so hard
with me. Happen put a small flower
in my hair she is greatly angered
Dost think such ornament sinful, Mar
| garet?" she asked wistfully.
Her cousin smiled, and La Fabiennt
broke into a hearty laugh of amuse
| mept,
''Peor little Mistress Hetty!' he ex
claimed. "Didst never have othel
pleasure than singing psalms in the
church?"
NAY, unless it's 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 sigh
of her pretty confusion touched Sil
Godfrey.
| Here, Margaret, string thy lutte" HI
cried, 'and Mistress Hetty and l will
tread q measure"
Margaret, smiling, touched the cord:
| yantly and Tn Eahienna bowinQ low
offered his hand to Hetty, who wher
she understood his meaning shranh
back in alarm, with white face ant
parted lips.
NAY, nay, SIR" she stammered. ".
must refuse thee. In our belief dane