Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-12-01


was riding up the mountain to-
ward the village, slowly and with
slackened rein, talking earnestly in
low tones.
NAY, Godfrey, am not ill. But
since tive shocking news Of Christie
piers death 1 cannot lift his trouble
from my heart" she was saying in re-
ply, evidently, to some remark he had
lust made. II do reprOach mySelf
that in mine own security allowed
the lad to follow his inclination and go
into danger. One commanding word
from me, with assurances that l would
take all blame of the goldsmith's anger,
would have sent him to the kitchen.
All, lackaday!"
"Thou'rt over sensitive, my love, an
must needs bear the suffering OF all
about thee" La Fabienne said. BLAINE
not myself for what was not thy fault.
By the Lord, thou asked the lad to
remain and he would not. None other,
Margaret, unless she had thy tender
conscience, would so unjustly reproach
herself. Come, cheer thee. Laugh,
smile. sweet, or else, l swear, I'll get
the blue megrims myself!'
"Jest not, dear Godfrey, for me-
thinks that others hold my careless
ness against me, for yesternight, when
riding through the village, | noticed sui
len looks. and instead Of the usual
formal greetings saw only browning
glances or averted faces
|'Again it's thine imagination that's
at fault" her companion insisted, III
CAV good humOr. Goods pity, but
cannot much blame thee, sweet for OF
all lean shanked, sour faced folk e'er
have met these mountain folk take
precedence. Thou should hear good
Gaston's surly jests at their expense!
Right .merrily would thou laugh, my
sweet"
Margaret not making reply, they pur-
sued their way in silence until they
reached a low log house, where just
before the door group or children
were throwing corn to hen and her
Young brood. An elder girl, barefoot
ed and dirty faced, looked up curiously
at the approach of the riders; then,
throwing back her tangled hair, opened
her ewes in wonder at the sight of such
unusual splendor, for the bright sun
fell on Margaret's hair and lighted the
threadwork of gold on her dress, the
soft wind caught her long white veil
of gossamer wound about her riding
hat, tossing it l.~ltly in the air, and
La Fabienne, in his usual splendid
dress, rode after her, smiling, his hand
in the leather purse Of his belt, ready
TO throw some loose coin to the young
sters.
At that instant woman in torn
cotton frock appeared at the doorway,
her face drawn in terror and pointing
a long finger toward Margaret.
"Tirzah Clarinda! Luke" she shrek
ed. Come in behind the doors! IT'S
the lady with the evil cross! Hast for
got the lad Christopher's fate? Run!
l command We to rum
The panic stricken children, win
white faces and in great fear. rushed 10
their mothers side, clinging to her
skirts tremblingly as she slammed the
door and noisily drew the bolt.
what said the shrewish wench"
asked La Fabienne as he took his place
beside Margaret
81 did not exactly get her meaning,
but she called the children from me.
warning them of poor Christopher's sad
DEATH" she replied. "As | told thee'
Godfrey, all blame Of the lads mis-
fortune is laid to mine Indifference"
La Fabienne noting the cloud Oh his
companions face, his own grew dark.
and he laid his hand upon his sword.
"By heaven, Margaret, an any man
makes such insinuations in my hearing
I'll run him through
may, talk not of bloodshed. Cod
FREY" she answered, with gentle
sigh, "but think rather Of the time
when we will ride away together from