Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-12
"A CLAY MUNOZ,
Author of "In Love and Truth"

he caught her in his arms in close en-
brace.
'Thou'lt kiss me where thou struck
me-" he cried with wild passion, cor
else I'll kill thee!'
She rocked and swayed in his en-
brace.
Josiah. loathe thee! Let me go!
"Then," he said, with gloating in his
voice, "if e'er thy gallant courtier low
or happen doth give thee thought
enough to ride this way I'll make my
boasts on thee! So kiss me, wanton,
If not for love then for thy life!
She felt his hot breath on her cheek,
saw relentless determination in the
steely eyes above her, and, desperately
trying to free an arm, felt herself in
closed as in wise of iron.
Godfrey" she called. now greatly
frightened.
aye, call him! He'll come anon
when he doth grow, a-weary of the
maids in Lunnon," he painted sneer-
ingly.
Both young and strong, they strug-
glcd desperately, Margaret trying to
reach his face with her clutching fin
gers, but he held down her hands and
laughed at her tauntingly.
Godfrey, Godfrey"
Her voice rang out strong and clear
through the forest.
Doth some one cally"
Footsteps We're heard running. Jo-
siah loosed his hold slightly, listening.
"'Tis I, Margaret N1ayland"
A man burst through the thcket and,
with sharp exclamation, caught
Taunston by the shoulders, swung him
round with the'strength Of giant and
with well directed blow felled him to
the ground, where he lay apparently
| lifeless.
"Godfrey!"
Margaret, white faced and fainting,
was clasped in the embrace of her
lover, who. holding her to his heart,
looked at the PROSTATE figure with
fierce glances of anger.
1.-THE scoundrel doth mover La Fa-
bienne. drew his sword. "Ill kill him
wherein lays"
NAY, dear Godfrey, have not murder
on thy SOUL" she said tremblingly,
with soft compelling. "'Tis my cousin,
josiah Taunston, who was but angered
that would not consent to wed with
him."
La Fabienne's brow grew dark.
Gods pity! 'Twere not murder to
inish that white livered hound! Rather
'twould be deed of kindness to the
world" he answered sternly, sheathing
his sword with reluctance. "But to
please thee, sweet, an because would
not add further to thine horrors, shall
not modest him further"
He kissed her face and wound his
ate and protecting.
"Come with me, Margaret"
She advanced n step or two, then
paused, looking back hesitatingly.
us he dead, Godfrey? think but of
his mother and poor Hetty."
La Fabienne laughed scornfully.
NAY, my love, fear not, but come
with me. His kind dieth not so cas-
ily."
AS the last sound of their voices died
on the breeze Josiah Taunston, his face
livid, with blood dropping from his nos
trils, staggered to his feet and, clinging
to tree for support, glanced with wild
eyes of hatred in the direction the low
ers had taken.
$50, no, thou hast arrived" he pant
ed with quick drawn breath. Fool,
thou didst not die, but art here + the
flesh to use thy persuasions with my
cousin against me an my rightful
claims! Insistence an flrmness, had We
not come, would have T. the long run
won her, an the farm lands would have
been miner
He stood erect, endeavoring to stanch
the flow of blood and muttering prom
ises and threats to himself.
But with that woman dangler's
arms about her. Josiah Taunston, thou
hast no hope of Margaret Maryland
now! So, no, thou must use thy brain
with subtle skill to smooth this compli-
cation OUT"
Turning to go, he paused, shaking his
finger in the direction they had taken,
sinister wicked expression spread
ing ovea. his drawn features.
Happen now II matters fall out not
to thy liking, Mistress Maryland, thou'lt
recall to mind too late that l offered
thee the best a man could offer kindly
and in good spirit until thou didst
anger me beyond control. Thou didst
fiout me an left me stunned an bleed
ing-for all thy knowledge dead-to
walk away with thy choice. Fair
words, gallant bearing an loving at
tentions,'" he sneered, then shook his
finger menacingly. Thou hast them
now. an, forsooth. something more that
thou wot not of-an enemy, man
whose word will be taken here on all
accounts an who can bring thee into
much disfavor; one who would have
loved thee, but who now hates thee.
Thou'lt live to regret this night, mis-
tress, and to remember it!'
Then he laughed a harsh, grating.
mirthless laugh, and, turning suddenly,
CROPPED his way down the path that led
to the village.