Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-30
CHAPTER XIII.

"a
heard from Josiah of Margarets sad
rare. When, after much trouble, she
was brought to her senses after losing
consciousness in the barn, she had en-
treated her mother and brother to al.
low her to remain with Them as ON this
fearful night she was afraid to he
alone, but they sent her from them
with harsh words.
Get the whining, white faced wench
out of my sightH Josiah commanded
roughly. Instead Of acting at this
time as support to her brother, that
she doth know seeketh ever to do his
DUTY In the sight of God an man. she
doth go about as reproach, with dull
eyes and sickly pallor. Pah. The
sight of her rifles me!'
AT her mothers sharp bidding Het.
" went to her room, not daring to re.
fuse, and lay with eyes wide open, lis
tening to the monotonous murmurlng
OF the voices of her mother and 10
slab, who, seated before the kitchen
hre, conversed In low tones until n
late hour In the night Once for n
short time she lost consciousness, but
at the first gray streak of light across
the horizon line she crept softly out of
bed and went down into the dooryard.
Early astir as she was, she found her
brother there before her. coming
around from the barn, leading his
horse. Never in all Hetty's young life
had she been SO harassed and her
mind so filled with terror Such awful
tales rs she had heard constantly of
the evil doings of the cousin she loved
kept her heart heavy with sense of
trouble, and her little head fairly ached
with bewilderment and wonder how
to reconcile the fact Of woman so
pure us Margaret being in connivance
with so much wickedness.
When Josiah saw her he exclaimed
In vexed tones:
"Out upon thee, sad facet"
Then possibly the sight of her suf-
fering. showing so plainly in the pallor
and lines Of her face, touched some
small spot in his heart that was good
or stirred his conscience, for when she
ran to him and clutched the bride
rein, imploring him to save their cous-
In Margaret, he did not push her away
nor could he meet her glance, but NOV
ed uneasily in his saddle.
Josiah, dear brother, an thou would
let me speak with Elder Williams of
the council, happen would have in
fuence wi him."
"Ho, no! Thine influencew Josiah
laughed scornfully. "Going in public
against thy brother! A dutiful sister,
prithee, to make my boasts onw
Here his manner changed, growing
stern and commanding.
"Thou'rt to stay here, faint heart,
an mind the house! T faith, I'll have
a care that with so much important
work on hand we have no swooning
scenes WI silly wenches."
AS he finished speaking man, ono
of the horse boys at the Sign of the
Red Heart, came swiftly up the path
way
Master Taunston," he said, painting
slightly, 81 ha' come wi news! The
witch's lover hath tied!'
Gone" Josiah calculated in surprise.
AYE, tits found that he stole away T.
kdS lue l1uu u.
Here's a crown, Tobias, for tits
good news that thou hast brought"
Taunston cried exultantly THE white
livered poltroon hath great influence at
court, and his detention might have
brought us trouble. Once down the
mountain we will see that he doth not
return again until the evil woman we
coal. fn hnt
deserts. Hetty, see that thou doth my
bidding" he said roughly, pushing her
from out of his way with the handle of
his whip. Spring up behind, Tobias;
we'll ride to the inn. Dost not hear
shouting? Methinis already the vii
lage is astir."
He gave spurs to his horse Hetty's
breath came in gasps rs she stood with
her hands clasped over her heart watch
ing her brother and his companion
speed away. She sank down upon the
doorstep and tried to collect her
thoughts. What news was this she had
just heard? Her mind was daZed.
Handsome, gallant Sir Godfrey La ia
bienne only fair day wooer? Did IL
man live with heart base enough to de-
sert one SO sweet and trusting as Mar.
garet?
Heartsick, bewildered and bitterly
disappointed, with all her romantic II.
lusions dispelled, Hetty covered up
her face, and II remembrance of the
preachers warnings and words against
the wicked fashionable men of the CAV
cities and their deceiving ways. also |
her mothers sinister predictions con |
corning La Fabiennes tickle love for
Margaret, came to her. Herheart futter-
ed painfully in II perfect turmoil of agl-
tation, distress and absolute convic-
ton. Yes, it must be true, and the idol
She had set up on such high pedestal
above all others had tumbled to the
ground and fallen in pieces at her feet
How cold the gray dawn was! She
shivcred slightly and with Il quick
motion drew her kerchief closer about |
her white throat. How friendless and
alone she felt, for the first time In |
her life at odds with her mother and |
brother and for her foolish vanity and |
proud airs totally ignored and forgot
ten by her old comrade and lover.
Simon Kempstcr! AS her sad Thought, |
turn to him she sprang to her feet
and looked down the mountain in the
direction of his house. Was he, like
the others, preparing In grim enjoy
ment to go to the Maryland farm to |
see Margaret accused and taken: She
shook her head i'll the negative. Sure,
ly one so good and stout OF heart as
Simon could not believe that sweet
Margaret would sinfully connivc with
the devil to wreak harm on others!
Wringing her hands dstructedly. the
girl walked to the little gate before the
house. Was that II wreath of smoke
curling out of the new fashioned stone
that Simon had SO lately and
with such pride built out Oh the side
If his kitchen, or was it only the mist
Using?
Hetty gazed wistfully in the direc-
ion of the white cloud for n few mo-
nents, then. throwing up her head with
great show Of Indifference, retraced