Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-15
CHAPTER y.

WUST out of the forest on fiat
al rock that topped n rising emf
AZ nence of land stood Margaret
Maryland by the side of her
lover. who. taller than she, bent his
dark eyes softly upon her face, reflect
ing in them the happiness shining so
brightly in her own. Twilight had now
withdrawn its tast ora- shadows
from the earth, and night, warm, black
and clear, with soft breezes stirring
and the air heavy with the sweet red
olence of wild flowers, fell on the
mountain gently. Gradually the stars
came out, first one at a time, timidly;
then as if gathering courage from add
ed numbers, they shone forth rapidly
until the black arch of the heavens
was a spectacle of dazzling brilliance.
Margaret with happy confidence,
stood close to her lover, who with one
arm thrown about her, stroked her
soft hair caressingly. The stars with
added luster sparkled in cheerful ra-
dance, the breeze grew fainter, then
died away, and the hour was one of
intense peacefulness. Suddenly from
the direction of the village came the
loud, unearthly sounds of the baying
and bowling of a dog-long, loud and,
to the superstitious, ominous howls-
but Margaret and La Fabienne, entire
ly engrossed in each other, talked on
happily, unheeding aught but the sound
Of their own voices and the joy of be-
ing together.
AN so thou hadst the fever with
no hands but those of strangers to
tend thee?' Margaret was saying sor-
rowfuIly ''Tell me, Godfrey, more
fully of thy miserable experiences"
"Twould but pain thee, sweet"
"Nay, l would hear the fullest ac-
count" Margaret insisted. "Thou
and good CASTOR came to n house
where there was Il maid-continue
dear Godfrey"
"Much blame do / take to myself for
my carelessness, hearts love-" La Fa-
bienne replied, "but for the nonce my
anxiety to be with thee put caution and
heedfulness out of my mind. AS 1 was
telling thee, we came safely to house
below the fork In the mountain where
the two roads lead in opposite dlrec-
tions At first methought to continue
our way on the deGle winding upward
to our right, but, glancing at the two
dark, craggy roads, difficult of ascent
and steep, and realizing what n dire
mishap 1t would be to wend our way
on the wrong one, / asked for right di-
rection from maid at the cottage. Ell
ther from ignorance or a desire for mis-
..ap -
the end OF the road leading to the left.
So, trusting absolutely to her knowl-
edge of the country hereabout, we
Jared forth on our journey"
'An' did thou meet no person to tell
thee of thine error?" Margaret inquir
ed with gentle sympathy.
Marry, Not one soul except a poor
lad of vacant mind who mouthed and
. chartered at us as we passed" he re
piled "Soon the drizZling dampness
changed to steady rain that fell harder
and heavier as we progressed, until at
last 1t came down in great sheets Of
water, binding our vision, washing
rocks and gravel down the rough and
dangerous path and almost sweeping
our horses off their feet. Such an awful
mountain storm, such cloudbursts, we
had ne'er seen in France. Brave Gas
ton was struck with terror declared
we would be lost and entreatcd me to
turn our horses heads, but 1, disregard
ing him, pressed forward knowing that
thou vert expecting me, and myself
seething with impatience to hold thee
in mine arms"
He paused a moment, looking Intent
ly from his high place lnts the dark
valley below him, Margaret's upturned
face regarding his with anxious inter-
est.
"What then, Godfrey?'
"Soon we came upon stream that
ran bubbling and foamlng across our
path. With many round oaths from
CASTOR and some sharp imprecations
from myself we contrived to get across