Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-30

unheeding until, breathless and pant
Ing she reached Kenpster's door. From
her place on the step she could see into
the kitchen. Logs We're burning in the
chimney, and Kissing caldron OF
water was steaming above them.
Hetty put her hands together over
her heart rs she saw Simon sitting on
the settle before it. His broad back
was toward the window, but she could
see that lie was leaning over detected
ly, resting his head OH his hand. Softly
lifting the latch. she entered and stood
just inside the door. Kempster was evi
IDENTIFY deep In thought, for the fain,
sounds did not disturb him.
Simon
He sprang to his feet and looked at
her in the greatest establishment.
cam l wanted? Doth any one need
me?' he asked, unable to attribute any
other reason for her coming.
'Nay, thourt not wanted" Hetty re-
piled falterngly, "and-and no one
needs thee, Simon"
"Wilt take a chair, mistress" His
manner was civil but his face was
grave and stern. He resumed his seat
on the settle. Hetty came forward and
knelt before the fire. holding out one
small hand to the baZc.
II am cold" she said shiveringly.
81 the morning ut sunrise there is
apt to be n chill i the air." Simon said
inditferently. "Didst wear no wooden
about thee?"
He looked around the room. Hetty
hastily put out her hand to prevent his
rising.
NAY, get me nothing" She sighed
gentle, tiuttering sigh. 1.-The bright
fire on thy hearth, Simon, hath already
warmed me-"
hempster regarded the small, grace
full figure in its gray dress and white
kerchief, llueclins there in the glare of
the fire so close to him, with pain tug
ging at his heart and suspicion in his
mind. Was this a new mood--just an
other of her tantaliZing ways? Had she
come back only to worry and torment
him! Hetty. gancing up, met his quiet
glance.
when thou'rt ready to CO." he re-
marked, with studied GOODNESS, 'happen
l can find wooden for thee"
AT his words her heart sank within
her. OF certain he had ceased to love
her, so she would speak of other mat
tiers
"fhank thee, Simon. When 90 am l
am trifle warmer l will take it."
Then, as he did not speak, she added
mournfully, "Simor, dldst know that
the council hath ordered our Margaret
to the prison?'
Yea. the fcarsome news hath reach
ed me-"
AN that the man she loved better
than her life hath deserted her In her
hour of perilY
Kcmpster sat erect with sudden
start.
"rhe conrtler, Sir Godfrey La Ta-
bienne!" he asked in surprise.
She chokcd back n sob.
None other, as thou knowest. All,
lackaday, bonny Margaretw
"rhy news doth surprise me-" he
said quietly, "as the knight had ever
an open countenance and manly
bearing. But wcen It's not uncom-
mon for love 10 grow between n man
and woman all Oh one side"
Hetty laid supplicating hand on
his arm.
Simon's breath came quickly, but his
voice was stern as he said. "Hadst not
better take Il chair? Thoult find but
poor comfort on the floor"
NAY. Simon she cried tcarfully.
"be not so churlish to thine old play
time friend! Hast forgotten Hetty,
little uetty 1'aunston. who when thou
vert but lad, long before thy moth
er died. did rise at break O. day to
meet her Mt the bars and help her
drive the COWS to grass?"
Simon turned his eyes toward her
and regarded searchingly the sweet
upturned face. What new couuetry
was this? He set his teeth and stceled
his heart against her.
such pleasant friendship as hath
ever been between us, Simon" she
p'Sdh III IDN Noi't, utSlllIlnSlN,
should not be broken off forever for
want of Il word of explanation. Sim
on, IL remember the words thou did
speak to me that day T. the dairy,
when | was so set UP because q cow
ard courticr-a man who covered his
black heart with fine raiment and
wore n gallant bearing to deceive folk
did remark about my beauty that
tlouted thee and did scorn the offer
Of thy honest heart and faithful love"
Kempster regarded her seriously,
anXiously; once he reached out his
hand toward her, but drew 1t back
hastily.
so proud was an so full of idle
dreams of n gay life in Paris that at
the time ! scarce did miss thee" she
but anon became lonely.
dissatisfied, unhappy and did not real
" know what did nil me until met
he quiet scorn Of thy glance and
Knew myself for the foolish, worth
ess maid that l was. Simon" she
.ricd SOFTLY. at hurt me to learn that /