Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-09


ut the stake-is the punishment our
as of sufficient suffering to cxpiate
this hideous crime.'
Then, seeing his listeners were
reused to an unusual height of fury, he
cried in louder voice: MY men, to
the town housed Call the council for
meeting! We must act ere our own
souls, caught in the talons of the dev-
us claws, are rendered incapable to in
yoke Gods vengeance"
Turning his horses head, he led the
way, followed by an excited throng of
nngry men.
In the meantime Mistress Taunston,
whose reputation for piety and her
well known willingness to offer spirit
ual consolation to the afflicted brought
her to many bedsides of both sick and
dying, had been at the cabin of the
Widow Dawson, and as the sun was
slowly sinking down below the hill
tops she came through the forest on
her way home. Hearing the sounds of
approaching footsteps, she raised her
head and saw approaching Margaret's
woman Elsbeth, who when she had ad-
vanced few steps paused and, glanc-
ing about in all directions, called in
shrill tones the little dog Biddy, that
had evidently strayed away. If she
saw A1argarets aunt coming toward
her Elsbeth gave no sign of it. With
out ever having hal an interchange of
hard words there was a deep feeling of
hatred lying in the hearts of these two
women for each other, and, although on
occasions they had met with civil
greetings, an underlying spirit of en-
nifty between them was apparent and
had grown lately into such proportions
that at their last meeting the women
had passed without recognition.
So today, with her head held high and
u forbidding expression on her grim
countenance, Mistress Taunston APP
preached. The path at tIytt point was
rocky and narrow, so that in order to
proceed one of them had to stand dan
gerously near the edge to let the other
pass. Elsbeth, walking slowly, contin-
ued to look as If she saw no person in
her way and called the lost dogs name
with great show of anxiety. Bristling
with defiance and wearing her most
scornful bearing. the Puritan woman
came Oh until, reaching Elsbeth, who
still refused to see her, she paused and,
drawing her scant skirt of gray home
spun very close about her, with an ap-
pearance of making Il great effort not
to let her clothing touch the others, ell
deavored to pass.
Turning suddenly, Elsbeth confronted
her so unexpectedly that the stern faced
dame lost her balance and would have
fallen had she not clutched the trunk of
a tree for support. All the hatred in
Elsbcth's heart for her companion
blazed forth in her eyes as she looked
at her.
Fear not for thy clothing" she cried
angrily, cor that contact with me shall
harm thee! Lud. Zen were pitch
an thou vert covered with me, it
would not show on thee, thou art SO
black in wiles and wickedness."
Beware, woman, how thou talkest to
thy betters!" fairly shrieked the other
iii outraged tones.
"Forsootl. I'll ha' my say, now have
thee cornered" black eyes
snapped dangerously "an' for once
thou'lt hear the truth. Fool that thou
art to think our Margaret hath no pro-
tectors.' she exclaimed derisively.
"Dost think, dullard, that Sir Godfrey
La Fabienne suspects not thy sons
vile schemes to get his cousins estate,
his deep laid plots to force her from
the village rs Il polluted thing, so that
he-her next of liin-may ride in and
take possession?'
tbs false shrielcd Mistress Taun-
ston in wild anger. Make way,
woman, Or it will be worse for thee"
Elsbcth did not move
Methinks 'twcre we'll to warn thee"
she continued, elise in thy greed and
Ignorance thou'lt so too far. Sir God
frey La Fabienne is nobleman of
much wealth, haiti influence at the
French and English courts, and with
both Puritans and papists his wishes
have great weight"
Ella, list sou Thedame laughed scorn-
fully "Thy cavalier may have influence
at the English court in all else but mat
tiers pertaining to the black art and