Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-08-03
CHAPTER XIII.

IL the long night that preceded
~ the arrest and Imprisonment
Of her cousin Margaret, Hetty
Taunston did not sleep, but
tossed from side to side of her bed in
nervous terror of the news she had just
heard from Josiah of Margaret's sad
fate. When, after much trouble, she
was brought to her senses after losing
consciousness in the barn, she had en-
treated her mother and brother to al
low her to remain with them, as on this
fearful night she was afraid to be
alone, but they sent her from them
with harsh words.
get the whining, white faced wench
out OF my sightw Josiah commanded
roughly. Instead OF acting at this
time as support to her brother, that
she doth know seeketh ever to do his
duty In the sight of God an man, she
doth go about as reproach, with dull
eyes and sickly pallor. Pah. The
sight Of her riles mer'
At her mothers sharp bidding Het-
ty went to her room, not daring to re-
fuse, and lay with eyes wide open, lis
tening to the monotonous murmuring
Of the voices of her mother and Jo-
siah, who, seated before the kitchen
fire, conversed In low tones until a
late hour In the night. Once for n
short time she lost consciousness, but
at the first gray streak of light across
the horizon line she crept softly out OF
bed and went down into the dooryard.
Early astir as she was, she found her
brother there before her, coming
around from the barn, leading his
horse. Never in all Hetty's young life
had she been so harassed and her
mind so filed with terror Such awful
tales as she had heard constantly of
the evil doings Of the cousin she loved
kept her heart heavy with sense of
trouble, and her little head fairly ached
with bewilderment and wonder how
to reconcile the fact of woman so
pure as Margaret being in connivance
with SO much wickedness.
When Josiah saw her he exclaimed
In vexed tones.
"0ut upon thee, sad face"
Then possibly the sight of her suf-
fering, showing SO plainly in the pallor
and lines of her face. touched some
small spot in his heart that was good
or stirred his conscience, for when she
ran to him and clutched the bride
rein, imploring him to save their cous-
in Margaret, he did not push her away
nor could he meet her glance, but NOV
ed uneasily in his saddle.
Josiah, dear brother, an thou would
let me speak with Elder Williams of
the council, happen I would have in
fiuence WI him."
"Ho, hol Thine infiuencer Josiah
laughed scornfully. "Going In public
against thy brother! A dutiful sister,
prithee. to make my boasts onr'
Here his manner changed, growing
stern and commanding.
"Thou'rt to stay here, faint heart,
an mind the housel L faith, I'll have
care that with SO much important
work ON hand we have no swooning
scenes WI silly wenches."
AS he finished speaking n man, one
of the horse boys Mt the Sign of the
Red Heart, came swiftly up the path
way.
Master Taunston," he said, painting
slightly, II ha' come Wi newsl The
witchs lover hath fed"
"Gonew Josiah calculated In surprise.
AYE, tits found that he stole away L
the night" the man replied.
Here's crown, Tobias, for It's
good news that thou hast brought" :"
Taunston cried exultantly. "The wlAte
livered poltroon hath great influence at
court, and his detention might have
brought us trouble. Once down the
mountain we will see that he doth not
return again until the evil woman we
seek to punish hath received her just
deserts. Hetty, see that thou doth my
bidding I've said roughly, pushing her
from out OF his way with the handle Of
his whip, Spring up behind, Tobias;
we'll ride to the inn. Dost not hear
shouting? Methinks already the VII
lage Is astir."
He gave spurs TO his horse. Hetty's
breath came In gasps as she stood with
her hands clasped over her heart watch
ing her brother and his companion
speed away. She sank down upon the
doorstep and tried to collect her
thoughts. What news was this she had
just heard? Her mind was dazed.
Handsome, gallant Sir Godfrey La Fa-
bienne only fair day wooer? Did a
man live with heart base enough to de-
sert one so sweet and trusting as Mar
garet?
ueartsick, bewildered and bitterly
disappointed, with all her romantic IL
lusions dispelled, Hetty covered up
her face, and a remembrance of the
preachers warnings and words against
the wicked fashionable men OF the gay
cities and their deceivlng ways, also
her mothers sinister predictions con-
cerning La Fabienne's tickle love for
Margaret, came to her Herheart flutter-
ed painfully in "a perfect turmoil of agi-
tation, distress and absolute convic-
ton. Yes, 1t must be true, and the idol
she had set up on such high pedestal
above all others had tumbled to the
ground and fallen in pieces at her feet.
How cold the gray dawn was! She
shlvered slightly and with quick
motion drew her kerchief closer about
her white throat How friendless and
alone she felt, for the first time IN
her life at odds with her mother and
brother and for her foolish vanity and
proud airs totally ignored and forgot
ten by her old comrade and lover,
Simon Kempster! As her sad thoughts
turn to him she sprang TO her feet
and looked down the mountain In the
direction of his house. Was he, like
the others. preparing in grim enjoy
ment to go to the Maryland farm to
see Margaret accused and taken7 She
: shook her head In the negative. Sure.