Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-27
CHAPTER vi.

through firm resolve, grim determine
tion and desperate endeavor. Wnere
he could not bend he had broken anu
now to gain his ends he knew no otner
method. So, instead OF disgusting his
disapproval of his cousins ignt COLI
duct he chose rather to place on ms
pale. gaunt features an expression oi
hardness and disapproval as he rose
stiffiy at the sound Of the soft rushing
of skirts approaching to receive ner.
with her hair brushed smoothly PACK
,nd prim kerchief crossed over ner
shoulders, hiding the fair round neck
that the dainty cotton frOck sne wore
disclosed. her face calm and serene,
but withal very different creature
from the merry young woman who Dut
n moment since had been running on
the old wall, Margaret entered quiet
" and babe her kinsman be seated.
He did this awkwardly, appearing III
at ease. Margaret's heart felt chilled.
1t was all so gloomy here, so colo ana
solemn. For the moment her thoughts
turned toward Paris with bitter long
ing.
Josiah shifted ON his chair and work
cd his pale lips as though he were at
a loss for words and was angered at
the fact.
At last Margaret broke the silence.
"Twas a most frightful storm, good
cousin. Were thy lands much dam
agedT
may" he replied. Being in the val
ley, we are protected some. But thou,
Margaret, thy lands stretch broadly IN
the open. Hast thou suffered losses"
Margaret laughed lightly.
81 truth, Josiah, have not given
the matter thought. Farming, l wot,
is not woman's work or else the
Lord had given her a better liking for
it."
Josiah's small eyes glittered.
Thou hast spoken the TRUTH! he
cried, the words fairly bursting from
his mouth in his eagerness to speak
them. ITO manage an estate, 4 faith,
is not wOman's work. Why, cousin,
warrant that these lands under thy
management alone in two years would
detract in value to one-half. Thy
father. Margaret, ever with an eye to
thy best interests, gave me the stew
ardship of thine estate. Didst never
occur to thee what his object was in
this?"
"He knew, Josiah, that thou wouldst
perform thy duties punctually," she re-
piled pleasantly, suppressing yawn
behind her hand, "for thou art known
to be jealous man and one Of integri-
ty. / ever feel that cannot thank thee
enough for thy watchful care of mine
estate, good cousin"
Margaret" Josiah said, dark flush
spreading over his countenance, my
mother-in fact, several Of thy neigh
bors have remarked that it is not meet
for so young and fair maid to live
alone"
Margaret threw up her head rather
defiantly.
81 bere good Elsbeth and old Giles"
SIX replied. IAN two better watchdogs
~ne'er had a maid to guard her. What
wouldst thou better, cousins?
The buckle of her shoe coming loose,
she leaned over to fasten it when the
cross that she wore on the fine gold
chain about her neck fell to the floor.
my chain hath broken" she cried,
"an' I promised dear Hulda that l
would wear her gift until died! Is
there goldsmith hereabout, Josiah?"
Eyes; old Adam Browdie, next the
Sign Of the Red Heart in the village" he
answered. "But, cousin, 1t were III for
thee to ornament myself with that un-
holy papist cross. IT'S our belief that
such forms are for the use Of idol wor-
shippers and are instruments of the dew
II. Already the village folk talk Of the
cross Of gold thou doth wear so pub
licly with disfavor."
With a sudden movement he rose and
came to her side, standing over her
sternly.
Burn 1t, Margaret! Burn the en-
blem that doth menace the salvation OF
thy soul! Burn the wicked trophy" he
commanded.
Margaret slipped the chain and cross
into the bosom of her dress. BE seat.
ed, Josiah" she said coldly, "unless thy
visit is done and thou wouldst go on
thy way"
"Just a moment longer" He walked
across the room and resumed his seat
Beads Of Precipitation stood out on his
forehead, and he spoke with an effort
II would further demonstrate with
thee. Last night, Margaret, my mother
who doth love thee with a mothers love
ever holding thy best interests close tt
her heart, and sat talking of thee un
til late into the night. We spoke kind
" Of thy beauty Of face and form, but
agreed that we liked not thy gay and
frivolous taste in dressing. Then my
mother, loving thee SO truly, made ex'
cuses for thee, saying that thy father
wronged thee when he sent thee to
thine aunt in Paris to grow up In the
worldly ways Of that wicked city,
where all the women are vain and friv'
olouS and all the men poltroOns, black
guards
81 deny that all the men are pol
troons and blackguardsw Margaret
cried. her face flushing with anger
"Heed thy lords, Josiah"
He went on in his cold, immovable
way, as If she had not spoken:
"An', though we fully realize his mis-
take in that particular, we rejoice II
thy fathers wisdom that ordered thy
return to thy native land when thor
had reached thy majority, here to
spend the remainder Of thy days"
Margaret made no response, but sal