Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-13
Author of I'm Love and Truth"

~ IS
see that he was leaning over detected
~, resting his head on his hand. Softly
lifting the latch, she entered and stood
just inside the door, Kempster was evil
IDENTITY deep in thought, for the faint
sounds did not disturb him.
"Simon!"
He sprang to his feet and looked at
her in the greatest establishment
IAN wanted? Doth any one need
me?' he asked, unable to attribute any
other reason for her coming.
"Nay, thou'rt not wanted" Hetty re-
piled falteringly, "and-and no one
needs thee, Simon"
"Wilt take 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 blaze.
II am cold" she said shiveringly.
az the morning at sunrise there is
apt to be chill T. the air." Simon said
indifferently "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, fluttering sigh. THE bright
fire on thy hearth, Simon, hath already
warmed me-"
Kempster regarded the small, grace
full figure in its gray dress and white
kerchief, kneellng there In the glare Of
the fire SO close to him, with pain tug
cling at his heart and suspicion in his
mind. Was this new mood-just an
other Of her tantalizing ways? Had she
come back only to worry and torment
him? Hetty, glancing up, met his quiet
glance.
when thou'rt ready to CO." he re-
marked, with studied GOODNESS, happen
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
Thank thee, Simon. When go an l
am trifle warmer 1 will take it,"
Then, as he did not speak, she added
mournfully, Simon, didst know that
the council hath ordered our Margaret
to the prison?'
"Yea, the fearsome news hath reach
ed me-"
can that the man she lo7ed better
than her life hath deserted her in her
hour Of peril?"
Kempster sat erect with q sudden
start.
1.-THE courtier, Sir Godfrey La Ia
bienne?" he asked In surprise.
She choked back sob.
None other, as thou knowest All,
lackaday, bonny Margaret
Thy news doth surprise me- he
said quietly, "as the knight had ever
an open countenance and manly
bearing. But I ween tits not uncom-
mon for love to grow between man
and woman oil on one SIDE"
Hetty laid a supplicating hand on
his arm.
simon's breath came quickly, but his
| voice was stern as he said: "Hadst not
better take chair? Thou'lt find but
poor comfort on the floor"
"Nay, Simon" she cried tearfully,
''be not 80 churlish to thine old play
time. friend! Hast forgotten Hetty,
| little Hetty Taunston, who when thou
| vert but lad, long before thy moth.
er died, did rise at break O. day to
meet her at 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 coquetry
was this? He set his teeth and steeled
his heart against her.
Such pleasant friendship as hath
ever been between us, Simon" she
began in low voice, hesitatingly
SHOULD not be broken off forever fol
want Of word of explanation. Sim
on, IL remember the words thou die
speak to me that day T. the dairy
when was so set up because cow
ard courtier-a man who covered his
black heart with fine raiment and
wore gallant bearing to deceive folk
did remark about my beauty that
fouted thee and did scorn the Offer
! Of thy honest heart and faithful love-
Kenipster regarded her seriously
anxiously; once he reached out his
hand toward her, but drew it back
hastily.
$50 proud was I an so full Of idle
dreams of gay life in Paris that at
the time scarce did miss thee" she
continued, "but anon I became lonely
dissatisfied, unhappy and did not real.
| ~ know what did all me until I met
the quiet scorn Of thy glance and
knew myself for the foolish, worth.
J less maid that I was. Simon" she
cried softly, at hurt me to learn that
I had lost the regard Of one good man
my heart ached, an was sore trou
bled."
"Hetty"-he spoke her name sharp
ly-"say no more unless thou doth
| truly mean thy words"
~ truth, mean SO much more than