Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-15


Simon Kempster, a farmer, is Hetty's
sweetheart. Margaret returns and
clashes with Josiah's Puritanical ideas.
lII-Margaret is attended by an old
waiting woman, Elsbeth. Hetty is
very fond of Margaret, but the Puri-
tan maid is shocked by a small gold
cross worn by her cousin. Mistress
IV-Sir Godfrey La Fabienne and his
attendant CASTOR, seeking Cragen
stone, are led astray by little girl
Mistress Taunston overhears the con-
versation and tells her son that she
believes the gentleman to be Marga-
ret's lover. Josith and his mother be-
lieve that Sir Godfrey will be delayed
at Sterndorf, a neighboring village by
foods, leaving Josiah to seek Marga-
ret's hand.
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)
Tnere, sne exclaimed, lin my de-
sire to fill the pans quickly did for
get to thank thee for carrying the milk.
Forsooth, good Simon, lay such bad
manners to thoughtlessness rather than
an intent on my part to slight thee"
'Hetty"-he stepped closer and caught
her hand In his-"at times when thy
words sound trifling and thy manner
seemeth hard and cold is't because thou
dost not heed, that thou'rt only bit
thoughtless, or dost thou really feel
the aversion Outlines thy words and
manner do express2"
She let her roguish glance turn into
a kindly one and allowed her hand to
remain in his as she answered softly:
opn1oc Cir,op hot oro 70, RI
the taste are sound at the core. Thou
farmer, must I teach thee that? And
for my words and ways, they are part
of me that, added all together, make
the whole"
She turned away her head, signing
gently, and Simon imagined that she
pressed his hand. "Who doth like me-
she continued pensively, 4perforce must
like them also, for SO long ha' we been
one naught now could separate u.s."
Simon, putting his disengaged hand
under her chin, lifted her face to his.
God knows / like thee, Hetty," he
said soberly, IAN thy words hard or
tender, so glad am to hear them, fall
on my heart gently, like the rain on
the newly sown Seed"
Matters having grown too serious for
the trifing little maid, she drew away
hastily. exclaiming, with light laugh:
"Thy fanny ard comparisons again, ST.
mon! Now, forsooth, my words are
like rain falling on thy cropsw
1t was several hours later when Mis-
tress Taunston on horseback, seated on
pillion behind her son, rode into the
farmyard. The storm had continued
to grow heavier and the rain was now
falling in torrents. Despite the heavy
cloaks they wore, the riders were
drenched to the skin as man, one of
the farm hands, rubbing his eyes as if
just reused from sleeping, opened the
barn door for them to enter.
Light the candle, Jacob, and will
hold 1t while thy master doth put up
his horse" Mrs. Taunston ordered from
her high position. "There, that is we'll
Now help me to alight."
When on the ground she lifted the
light and, following Josiah, who was
leading the horse to it's stall, paused a
Thou canst go now, Jacob, to thy
bed. l would have word in private
with thy master"
Taunstpn paused in the act of lifting
q measure of oats to regard his mother
with surprise, thinking something Of
unusual Importance must have happen
ed that she made so much ado about it.
In her storm beaten, mud besmirch-
ed garments, holding the flaming can
die above her head, she approached
nearer, saying, as brother Camett
rode with us, Josiah, / had no chance
to speak with thee"
He nodded rough assent, and she,
lowering her voice to whisper, said,
"My son, we spoke the other night Of
certain rumors current that thy cousin
Margaret had left lover in France
that vast coming here anon to claim
her hand in marriage"
Josiah's heart grew cold within him.
II heard the idle gossip" he replied
hoarsely, "but gave the rumor no Gre
dence, as my cousin in our frequent
meetings hath made no mention of
such man. Why detain me here at
this late hour, when am already chill
ed to the marrow, to fash me with such
unpleasant gossip? Margaret is so
young, her aunt SO strict, much mis-
doubt me that she e'er hath had much
converse with men, much less already q
lover plighted and betrothed Let's to
the house. IT'S filter place for con
verse, if thou hast aught to say, than
this foul horse stall, with the wind
blowing the flame Of thy candle into
q blaze"
He moved impatiently toward the
doorway, but his mother sprang before
him, laying a strong OBTAINING hand on
his arm.
''Hist! Hetty waits within and must
not hear" she said in an impressive
voice. Josiah, methinks I saw your
cousin Margaret's lover ride by good
Brother Haggott's door late this after
noonr'