Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-26
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\ NNAAhN'4' i't1Aie5ii'ES pNNl lIc tOlu
looks of these people weigh heavy on
my heart Take me with thee when
tliGn gocst.'
An thou say the word we go to-
morrow" he exclaimed sternly. hold
ing the small hand strongly in his own.
Right Willingly would l, Godfrey,
for without my dear father naught
| pleasant here doth hold me. But cares
of the estate, the selection OF perma-
nent overseer, which find difficult;
new bui! ings for the tenants now in
construction and many matters of i'm
| portance to mine interests will keep
me here few weeks longer Clothe
thy soul in patience for that small
time dear Godfrey'-she lifted her
head quickly, smiling through her tears
AN wien thou seest n solemn face
| that doth dcpress thee
I'll think of thine, my winsomc
love- he interrupted happily, pleased
at the change in her mood, "a face so
bcauteous to mine eyes that when
remembrance of it shall fash across
my mental vision l swear that all
black horrors will disappear, melted
away, verify, by the radiance of It,"
Thou latterer, Godfrcy' Margaret
exclaimed softly, her lips curving into
a smile. Such high sounding praises
come easily to courtier. Nay"-she
raised her finger warningly-"swearn
| by
One of the lads from the village COM
Ing around the corner of the house in
their direction caused Margaret to
pause, the unspoken words on her lips.
Much embarrassed at coming upon
the person Of Sir Godfrey La Fabienne
SO unexpectedly, the boy hesitated,
pulled his forelock bashfully, then
stood still, uncertain whether to ad-
vance or retreat. Margaret, seeing his
confusion, beckoned him to approach.
| What is thine GRAND, good lad?"
IT'S thy trinkct, Mistress Maryland,
that my gran Their, Adam Browdie, the
goldsmith, hath menacd for thee, an,
with your leave, mistrcss"-timidly Civ
ing her the parcel-"he did instruct me
to say that he would ha' mendcd it be-
fore had it not been for the inconven-
ience Of n sprain.'
La Fabienne, who had unfastcncd
the wrapping was now examining the
workmanship critically.
"'Tis finely wrought and iointed to-
gcther skillfGlly, Margaret" he said.
Here, lad" throwing Christopher a
gold piece; there's n coin for thy grand
fathers trouble"
The boy, much pleased, caught the
gold piece, DOTTED his cap and walked
away. Just then flash of lightning
stleaked the sky that by now was
thickly covered with black clouds, fol-
lowed by Il low, rumbling sound of
thunder, causing the boy TO pause and
look about him doubtfully.
Margaret, who had risen, called to
him TO remain; to go back and wait
i'll the kitchen with the maids until the
storm was over, but Christopher shook
his head and, nuttering that the gold
smith would be angry if he delayed,
ran down TO the turnstilc, sprang over
it ana, hu,rietily deciding that the path
| through the forest would be the quick
| est way home, plunged into the thickct.
Hardly was be under the shelter of
the trees when a pattering sound was
heard, and the rain beat down in great
drops. Then the wind rose in IL wild
fury, the tail trees bent and swayed,
tussling with it; rough strength. and
the grass and vines We're swept down
oven with the earth.
Christopher, holding lis jacket close
aSout him, with his cap in his hand,
walked on quickly, inwardly congrat-
ulatins himself upon the fact that he
had been wise enough to seek the shell
tered patti through the woods instead
Of the open roadway that was unpro-
tected by high trees. Little, sharp
flashes of lightning appeared almost
| constantly, ANA the thunder was con-
slant, low, Threatening, ominous. In
nocent Of his danger and not under
standing the harsh, growling sounds
Of warning from the heavens, Christie
pier projected on his way. Now the
clouds had grown so thick and black
that the forest WAS almost lis dark as
night, AMI the rain fell in binding tor
rents. Soon Il sharp fash of lightning
ran z&"ag through the sky, then n
clap of thunder louder than the report
| of Il cannon resoundel from end to end
of the village
Christopher gave 4 wild scream of
terror and stood still, uncertain whetl-
er to advance or so back. Although
the forest was familiar playground to
him. he appeared to lose his way and
staggered on llindly until, a long, vivid
flash Of lightning Illuminating his path,
he found his bearings, and. remember
ing the cave on the otlei. side of the
| prccipicc ROW near nj liaud, he resoly-
ca TO seek safety ana shelter there.
| With the wind anl rain Deuting him
| backward, he climbed tie steep ascent,
cllging With his hands ana feet to the
roots and bushes III his way until he
reached the top where was Il precipce.
with water rushing in wild turmoil
fifty feet beneath Now The lightning
was SO near 1t seemed to be playing
| through the forest III long flashes of
| brilliant light, and The dark clouds al
| most touched tie 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 prccipicc, wound his arms about
the trunk of Il tall oak tree, clinging TO
1t for 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 defcd human ears to hear above
their boisterouS noise and din Then
the clouds opened, showing light like
the blast from Il furnace, and-oll,
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