Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-11-24

"Thou fatterer, Godfrey Margaret
exclaimed softly, her lips curving into
a smile. "Such high sounding praises
come easily to cOurtier. Nay'-she
raised her finger warningly-"swearnot
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!'
"'Tis thy trinket, Mistress Maryland,
that my gran'ther, Adam Browdie, the
goldsmith, hath mended for thee, an,
with your leave, mistress"-timidly CIV
ing her the parcel-"he did instruct me
to say that he would ha' mended it be-
fore had it not been for the inconven-
fence of Sprain."
La Fabienne, who had unfastened
the wrapping, was now examining the
workmanship critically.
"'Tis finely wrought and jointed to-
gether skillfully, Margaret" he said.
Here, lad," throwing Christopher a
gold piece; "here's coin for thy grand
fathers trouble"
The boy, much pleased, caught the
gold piece, DOTTED his cap and walked
away Just then fash Of lightning
streaked che sky that by now was
thickly covered with black clouds, fol-
lowed by a 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 60 back and wait
in the kitchen with the maids until the
storm was over, but Christopher shook
his head and, muttering that the gold
smith would be angry if he delayed,
ran down to the turnstile, sprang over
it and, hurriedly deciding that the path
through the forest would be the quick
est way home, plunged into the thicket.
Hardly was he under the shelter of
the trees when pattering sound was
heard, and the rain beat down in great
drops. Then the wind rose in wild
fury, the tall trees bent and swayed,
tussling with its rough strength, and
the grass and vines were swept down
even with the earth.
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
tered 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 a sharp flash Of lightning
ran zigZag through the sky, then q
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-
err to advance or go back. Although
the forest was familiar playground to
him, he appeared to lose his way and
staggered on blndly until, long, vivid
flash of lightning Illuminating his path,
he found his bearings and remember
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
he climbed the steep ascent,
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
it for support and protection. He dared
not move another step, and all thought
of reaching the cave was abandoned.
binding fash, followed by two
more in quick succession! The poor
young lad, alone on this height in the
midst of the awful disturbance of the
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
tue ClOuuS Opeucu, ouoWihS hSht ih0
the blast from 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 filled the forest. The
large tree staggered then fell with
sharp noise of cracking branches that
drowned the sickening sound of the
1ull thud of Christopher's body as 1t
fell lifeless from the edge Of the preci-
Dice into the swirling, tumbling rapids
IF the angry waters below. Nor was
,oord tho cIanl<ipp ring of the gold