Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-05

i'AN i'iiht NNdi a DluC eNtlllhS
gown made in the French fashion, with
the bodice cut low, surmounted by a
lace bertha, her fair neck and arms
bare and ruf1led skirts made full and
sweeping. walked out of the house and
standing before the door looked down
the roadway pcnsively with an air of
indecision.
The soft breeze stirred the leaves of
the foliage and the monotonous call of
the whppoorwill could be heard over
the trees of the forest, but no other
sounds, such as the galloping Of horses
feet, fell on the ears of the waiting
lonely woman.
"Mayhap, an thoult walk little
down the road behind the hill, thou'lt
meet Sir Godfrey" Elsbeth called from
the window.
Margaret turned to her sadly.
"Elsbeth, an Godfrey comes not to-
night l shall know that he is lying
helpless, i'll; hath met foul play-or-
or is dead. Tomorrow an he is not
here I'll rouse the village, send mes
sengers scurrying in all directions, for,
prithee," with little sob, "if the truth
is what l suspect, had better die of
that at once than linger with this suf-
fering, this slow suspense that is kill
ing me-"
what foolish megrims! Nay, cheer
thee, Margaret" Elsbeth cried in pro-
| test at the dark views Of her mistress.
81 do protest Sir Godfrey's not the man
to be outdone by any villainy. And
| who hereabout would be his enemy?
| He'll come anon"
$50 thou hast said before" Margaret
replied, turning away listlessly, am
meanest well, for thou dost love me-
While yet it is day I'll stroll through
the woody forest path to the village.
Some new arrival ut the inn percnance
hath brought some news. I'll go. good
Elsbeth."
AT about this time Josiah Taunston,
with his broad brimmel hat pulled
well down over his closely cropped hair,
wearing his church going suit of black
cloth and finely knit gray WOODEN
stockings, came through the forest to-
ward the Maryland farmhouse to make
an evening call OH its fair mistress.
Unusual pallor shone on his stern coun-
tenance, and his eyes, cold and steely,
looked almost wicked, SO full We're they
of an expression of determination. Sud
denly the sound Of a light footstep fell
on his ears and, raising his head he
discerned through the foliage Il glim-
mer of blue that caused him to draw
his breath hard and his heart to stand
still.
Not seeing the approaching form on
account of a turn in the path, Margaret
advanced, her head, crowned by the
wealth of hair wound high above it,
held proudly, holding her long skirts
well off the ground to avoid the briers
in her way, disclosing as she walked
the big buckles and red heels of her
little black shoes.
81 give thee good even, cousin" The
voice was sudden and loud.
Margaret gave wild shrek. Her
heart and soul eager for the presence
of her lover, every nerve strained with
listening and waiting for him, expect
ing him at every angle of the road, she
was startled almost beyond hope of
composure at this sudden voice. With
her hands over her heart, painting she
fell against tree and rested there.
II wot l frightened thee" he said,
watching her furtively out of his small
gray eyes.
"What meanest thou" she cried an
grily when she had recovered slightly,
that thou contest like a great panther
stealing through the forest? Couldst
not give body warning?'
"'Tis my fashion ever to walk easily,
Margaret Maryland" he observed, "but
T. truth had no wish to Brighten thee.
Rather would do that which would
draw thee nearer to me so that thou
would heed my counsel and listen to
words that others far older and wiser
than thou have given ear to and"-
Margaret, seeing that her cousin was
inclined to be oratorical and having no
desire to remain in the forest listening
to words of censure and reproach that
were distasteful to her, with a quick
motion stood erect before him, inter-
rupting his harangue by saying in n
quick, peremptory manner, 81 have an
GRAND in the village, Josiah, and would
be on my way"
He stood in her pathway immovab4e.
Margaret, hear me. do but coul,-
sci thee for thy good.'
"Why should heed thy counsel,
prithee, and give car to thee? BY what
right do thou admonish me? Am not
mine own mistress?" she asked dis.
dainfully.
ut Is not part Of my plan to anger
thee, Margaret, else would tell thee
many things with mvarnshed plain,
ness for thy good and for the welfare
of thy SOUL" he said in reply. can II
e'er n maid needed the firm guidance
OF an honorable, God fearing man
thou'rt she, cousin,'' he continued
sternly. "For in that wicked bedlam
the French city called Paris. thou dds
learn many ways and acquire habit.
that If allowed to grow uncorrectet
would lose thee thy soul for all eter
nity."
Margaret, coming a step nearer, me-
his glance with open defiance.
Speak palmer" she commanded
"What dost thou mean"
"One thing, thy way of dressing.
ask thee in all reason, cousin, doth Il
become a modest, virtuous maid to ex
pose her breast and arms to the gaze
Of men? do assert tits most unseen
~"
Margaret's eyes flashed dangerously
But" he continued, seeing her dis
pleasure and endeavoring to control his
voice so that it would sound less harsl
and discordant, 81 know that these arc
errors Of education learned from the
goddess in that devils nest where thor
In all innocence vast sent by thy
father, and that with the firm and low
Ing guidance of Il pious husband, com
bined with constant prayer and repent
ance Oh thy part, thou wouldst over
come these ways tending to do thee
evil. Margaret, canst thou not see
what is for thy good? Give me mine
answer tonight!''
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