Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-29
.NITA CLAY MUNOZ,
Author Of I'm Love and Truth"
Copyright. 1908. By Anita Clay nunoz

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER Josiah Taunston, a
Puritan of Cragenstone, his mother
and his sister Hetty await the return
from Paris OF their kinswoman. Mar
garet Maryland. Joshiah is covetous
OF his cousins estate. His mother
suggests his marriage to Margaret
sweetheart. IL-Margaret returns and
clashes with Josiah's Puritanical ideas
uI-Margaret Is attended by an old
waiting woman, Elsbeth. Hetty Is
very fond of Margaret, but the Puri-
tan maid is shocked by a small gold
cross worn by her cousin. Mistress
Iaunston frowns on their Friendships
lV-Str Godfrey La Fabienne and his
attendant, Castor, seeking Cragen-
stone. are led astray by a little girl
Mistress Taunston overhears the con-
Eersation and tells her son thai she
believes the gentleman to be Marga-
rets lover. JoSith and his mother be-
heve that Sir Godfrey will be delayed
at Sterndorf, a neighboring village, by
floods, leaving Josiah to seek Marga-
ret's hands. V-Hetty tells Margaret
levers in witches. Josiah call on Mar
garet. VI-Josiah proposes to his cou-
sin. Margaret awaits visit from her
lover, Sir Godfrey VII-Mistress
Taunston and her son think Sir Cod
frey may fall victim to illness cpl
demic at Sterndorf. VIII-Sir Godfrey
remains unaccountably absent, and
Margaret fears that he is dead. JOSH
ah calls for the answer to his proposal
and is rahI1ffa6 TY q
ed from Josiah's clutches by the arriv-
al of Sir Godfrey. Josiah's love for
Margaret Is turned to hate. X-Mar-
garet learns that her lover has been
detained by illness and floods. XII
Simon buys from an itinerant peddler
trtnket for Hetty., Josiah inquiries
Of the peddler where evil charms may
be purchased and is told that such
Things are common in Paris in the
form of small gold crosses. XII-St-
mon wins Hettie's favor with his gift
xIIIvJosiah warns the village jeweler
against Margaret's gold cross, which
the jewler has for repair. XIV-After
returning Margret,s cross to her the
Jewelers. boy, Christopher, is killed in
thunderstorm. XV.-Hetty visits
Margaret and is much impressed by
Sir Godfrey. She spurns Simon's love.
CHAPTER XIV.-(Continued.)
Christopher. holding his jacket close
about him, with his cap in his hand,
walked on quickly, inwardly congrat-
ulating himself upon the fact that he
had been wise enough to seek the shell
teaed path through the woods instead
OF the open roadway. that was unpro-
tected by high trees. Little, sharp
flashes Of lightning appeared almost
constantly, and the thunder was con-
slant, low, threatening, ominous. In
nocent Of his danger and not under
standing the harsh, growing sounds
Of warning from the heavens, Christie
pher proceeded on his way. Now the
clouds had grown so thick and black
that the forest was almost as dark as
night, and the rain fell in binding tor
rents. Soon sharp fash Of lightning
ran zigzag through the sky, then a
clap Of thunder louder than the report
Of cannon resounded from end to end
Of the village.
Christopher gave wild scream Of
terror and stood STILL uncertain wheth-
er to advance or go back. Although
the forest was familiar playground to
him, he appeared to lose his way and
staggered on blindly until, a long, vivid
fash Of lightning Illuminating his path,
he found his bearings, and, remeDat err
Ing the cave on the other side Of the
precipice now near at hand, he resolv-
ed to seek safety and shelter there.
With the wind and rain beating him
backward, he climbed the steep ascent,
clinging with his hands and feet to the
roots and bushes in his way until he
reached the top, where was precipice,
with water rushing in wild turmoil
fifty feet beneath. Now the lightning
was so near it seemed to be playing
through the forest In long flashes Of
brilliant light, and the dark clouds al
most touched the tops Of the trees
Suddenly, with greater intensity, the
wind rushed shrilly over the noun
tain.
The boy, pale with terror, on the edge
Of the precipice, wound his arms about
the trunk of tall oak tree, clinging to
itfor support and protection. He dared
not move another step, and all thought
Of reaching the cave was abandoned
Another binding flash, followed by two
more in quick succession! The poor
young lad, alone on this height in the
midst Of the awful disturbance of the
elements, frantic with terror, sent forth
scream after scream that the wind and
rain defied human ears to hear above
their boisterous noise and din. Then
the clouds opened, showing light like
the blast from a furnace, and-oh,
Coda peal Of thunder SO loud that
the village people with prayers on their
lips fell on their knees, raising their
white faces to heaven.
The tall oak tree was struck and rent
asunder; flames shot up, were put out
by the heavy riffs Of rain, and clouds
Of steaming smoke filed the forest. The
large tree staggered, then fell with a
gf1srn noise of cracking branches that