Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-13
ing Scripture or thinking of our pray
By ANITA CLAY MUNOZ,

Ing Scripture or thinking Of our pray
ers?"
"Naught is changed" the woman re-
piled. ~ the FIVE years Of the different
life In Paris thou hast forgotten; that
Is all. TO my mind thine aunt received
us with the same cold smile she gave
us when we rode away"
Margaret shrugged her shoulders and
threw out her hand in manner that
suggested the Frenchwoman. How
gloomy they looked in the plain gray
clothes they wore as they stood around
the door, erect and solemn, to receive
me. But, withal, weary and nervous
with the Homecoming as l was, my
quick eye failed not to see two things
admiring love on the bright face OF
my sweet cousin Hetty Taunston and
stern disapproval Of my crimson riding
dress on the countenance OF her moth
er. Mayhap / shall prove too worldly
for their quiet tastes. Dost think so,
ElsbethT
The woman touched Margarets sun
ny hair caressingly.
"Thou'rt so bonny, sweet, so fair, so
good, that all must love thee who know
thee" she said. "And as thy ways are
good ways wot thy neighbors and thy
kinsfolk must grow accustomed to
them"
Margaret rested her hand lightly on
old Elsbeth's shoulder. "And thou
lowest me and Godfrey" she said.
blushing softly. IL care not for the 9TH
suffice me-"
A light footstep was heard in the
hallway.
"Am l come too sOonY Hetty
Taunston in black cotton frock, with
white kerchief folded neatly over
her bosom, entered the room.
"Methought mother would ne'er be
done finding chores for me to do" she
said poutingly. First there was the
linen to spread on the grass for bleach
ing; then the ewers to be filed at the
brook, my lesson in embroidery and
the Bible teaching. And, OH" with
sigh, 80 many other occupations did
occur to mothers mind that / grew
quite restless, for all the time my
thoughts were over here with thee,
Margaret"
"Poor, much abused Hettyw Mar
garet, arising from the table, pinched
her cousins cheek affectionately. "And
so thou hast kept thy word to come
early to see what came from Paris!
Prithee, cousin, mayhap in some cor
ner of those boxes lieth gift for
thee"
Hettys eyes sparkled with pleased
| anticipation.
"Tis not ribbon, Margaret" she
asked eagerly. "The thought occurred
to me once to write an ask thee to
bring me pink one. Say it's a rib
bon, Margaret" she entreated.
"Forsooth, tits better than paltry
pink ribbon, little Hetty. Come and
see. But of many ribbons thou canst
have thy choice"
The room overhead was filed with
open boxes. Thrown over the big four
posted bed were gowns OF gorgeous
colors. and strewn about were stufs
and fabrics of the latest weave from
the looms of Paris - ribbons, satin
shoes, dainty linens and laces. At the
sight of so much finery Hetty's face
flushed. She drew her breath sharply
and, pausing just inside the doorway,
clasped her hands together In an &C.
stasy Of admiration and delight.
"An' thou didst bring all this from
Paris, Margaret" she asked at last.
Cali from Paris. the fairest city In
the world, Hetty."
"Oh, would go there!' the girl cried
earnestly. 'Doth every maid wear
clothes like yonder on the bed?'
She approached and, slipping her
hand under a ruffle of fine silk, raised
It tenderly, almost reverently.
may, not all, simple Hetty. But the
fashions there are excellent, and fine
dressing doth rule paramount. My
good Aunt Jane was heedful that l
brought the latest patterns with me
lest should grow old fashioned In this
country place. And, forsooth," Mar
garet added gayly, II have love OF
dress on mine own account"
Hetty, who had been observing her
cousins loose morning dress with curl
GUS interest, suddenly drew back, an
expression of surprise and fear spread
ing over her features.
Margaret! Thou wearest cross!'
she exclaimed, with pale lips. "Hast
turned papist, cousinr
Margaret smiled family.
NAY, Hetty, think not so, and take
that look of horror from thy face. This
emblem"-lifting the cross in her hand
and regarding it affectionately-"is but
the parting gift Of my friend, Hulda
Manning, who was so good, whose
soul was 80 fair that God took her to
himself"
Hetty continued to regard the cross
with looks of aversion and dislike.
"Take it off, dear Margaret" she en-
treated. "Such papist signs will be
curse to thee! Cousin, tits near to IDOL
Worship
Margaret shook her head reprovingly.
otis thine education doth make thee
think these things, Puritan Hetty.
Why. cousin, the day before she passed
away to heaven my Hulda with weak
hands clasped this chain about my
neck. asking me to wear 1t for all time
In memory of our true friendship.
This did promise her that would 90.
A curse?" she repeated reproachfuliy.