Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-14
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER II.
WOSIAH TAUNSTON spent the
next day at the market place
al and having made good bar
gains and fair exchanges rode
up to his door rapidly, with an express
sion on his countenance more compla-
cent and less severe than usual.
"Ho. there!" he called.
To his surprise the door remained
unopened. and, listening, he heard no
sounds of life within.
Mother, open, an thou art there"
he cried, "for would have word
with thee before l ride farther to speak
wi Simon Kempster on the price O.
WOOL"
AT this juncture man, one of the
farm laborers, came rushing from the
back of the house
1.-THE good dame an thy sister ha'
taken their departure long SINCE" he
announced. evidently pleased to be the
bearer Of important tidings. "They did
go to the Maryland farm, master, to
meet thy cousin, who hath arrived"
With an exclamation of surprise Jo-
siah sprang from his horse, threw the
reins to tile man and, turning suddenly
to hide the dark flush that spread over
his face at the first shock of the news,
lifted the latch and, entering the house,
proceeded at once to his chamber, from
whence he emerged an hour later much
changed in appearance. The stains and
dust of travel had been carefully re-
moved from his person, n fresh linen
ruff of dazzling whiteness was about
his neck, and in place Of his common
riding clothes he wore his church going
suit Of black cloth finely woven and
but lately made by the village tailor.
Taking the footpath that led through
the meadows, he walked with long
strides in the direction of the road that
wound its way from the village past
the Maryland farmhouse. A slight fear
lest his absence from home at the time
Of his cousins arrival would be held
against him as seeming neglect caused
him some anxiety, and he was framing
suitable words Of excuse and explana-
ton as he walked along when his medl-
tation was interrupted by the sudden
appearance Of q young woman at the
corner of the roadway. She had EVIL
IDENTIFY been running, for over her
flushed face and tumbling yellow hair
a broad hat of black velvet, with a
sweeping white feather, hung off at the
back in reckless abandon, and she held
the long skirts of her scarlet riding
habit, richly trimmed with silver braid
ing, high above her quilted petticoat.
So excited was she and intent upon her
chase that she was quite regardless Of
appearance or of the fact that the
small ankles, neatly covered with red
silk hose, were exposed above her low
shoes to the cold and disappearing gaze
OF the man approaching. Just then a
small dog scuttled past Josiah breath
less and painting from q long run.
"Oh, catch her, good sir-catch Bid
dy!' the girl cried shrilly. 1.-The poor
dog will take a tit from fright! That
stupid Giles, to let her out in this
strange place when | was not about!
Move. mani An thou canst put thy
hand on her"
Thus sharply commanded, Josiah
came to his senses and. making sud
den and effective dive. caught the ex-
hausted animal and, carrying 1t to tho
young woman, put 1t into her arms,
saying with his customary seriousness,
Margaret Maryland. for as such rec
ogniZe thee, give thee greeting and do
declare that thou art welcome to thy
home"
AT once she extended her hand cor
daily. and her lips parted in smile Of
pleasure.
AN Is t really JosiahT" she asked
brightly. Eat first glance, with thy So
Der face and black suit. good cousin,
inethought thou vert the preacher"
| "And thou wouldst have called to the
preacher. Il man of God, to catch thy
dog, Margaret" regarding her with a
look of quiet reproof.
AYE. that would l." she answered
carelessly. "I' faith, in my opinion the
better the man the better the decd.
But to continue the subject, Josiah. at
the second glance l remembered thee
at once"
She stepped back pace or two and,
shading her eyes from the slanting
rays of the setting sun by fitting her
hat well down over her face, regarded
him with pert air of critical interest.
After all. thourt not much changed
except that thou doth look more care
Worn, and it's apparent that thou hast
grown older" she said. Then, sooing
that the expression In his eyes did not
soften, added, But happen, cousin,
thou wouldst be better pleased as is
the fashion Of all the men, an were
to tell thee thou vert grown good look
| ing"
She laughed low, ripping laugh Of
amusement.
Josiah, finding her levity not to his Xix
! ing and having lurking suspicion that
she was amusing herself at his cx-
pense, answered resentfully and with
an air of offended dignity.
THAT thou wouldst so misjudge me
as to presume that l would desire
praise for my personal appearance
can understand, for after thy years
Of living in that wicked city of Paris,
where all the men are tops or cox
combs, with no thought above decking
their bodies with tawdry raiment, will
ing and eager to bend their backs and
mouth and grin in pleased acknowl-
edgment of a woman's compliment,
thou has thought that all men were
made in the same fashion,"
The Young mistress of tho Mavland