Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-07-20

Their final arrangements being made,
their conversation drifted to other
matters
"How truly doth the Scripture speak,
dear Godfrey" Margaret said gently,
''where it saith that 'one day telleth
not what another day bringeth forth
When thou didst come I did not think
to go back with thee. Methought thou
would come again for me-"
Margaret, tell me truly. had the
conditions been happier, had thy stay
here been more pleasant, could thou
have let me ride down the mountain
without thee?"
"Ah. Godfrey, she replied, with
little fiuttering sigh, Il am such weak
woman and so overfond of thee that
hadst thou wrung consent from me to
let thee 90 / wot when saw thy back
turned toward me 1 would fain forget
my promise and in my loneliness and
despair run after thee, throw myself
in the roadway at thy horses heels and
cry to thee to take me with thee to
sunny France, to Paris, the city /
love-"
La Fabienne laughed joyful, ring
ing laugh as he clasped her to his
heart. Sweet, when l set foot in this
village and saw the set of churls about
where thou hadst taken up thy dwell
Ing / resolved when / would begone to
take my sweet love with me. Didst
think, Margaret" he cried, with sud
den passion, that would leave thee,
my tender flower, raised under the
rays of the warm sun OF France, to
wither away and perish on this bleak
mountain? Nay, love; too close hold
thee in my heartr'
The wind rose and blew colder
through the trees. Drawing her cloak
closer about her, Margaret chung to her
lovers arm.
'''Tis solemn night, Margaret" he
said whimsically, thou and alone to-
gether on this high mountain top, miles
away from those who love us and in
reality among q band OF evil wishers
and enemies-we two, with our troth
plighted and our wedding day so near
at handl Is't not enough to make
man stop to consider when he Is on the
brink of such serious undertaking?
Sweet Margaret" he continued serious
ly, pressing her hand, knowing so
we'll thy worth, seeing thy marvellous
beauty and having a fine understand
ing of thy high character, I tremble
lest, imperfect man that / am, / may
not live up to thy standard; that may
fail to fill thy life so full of happiness
as I hope now and pray God I may
do"
Margaret laughed a sweet, low. hap
py laugh.
Hath finished, foolish Godfrey?
Then hear mine answer to thy drivel-
ings. In all the world / love no one
like thee. or thy imperfections know
naught. Thou art part of me. With
out thee | would die When, dear
Godfrey, thou art near me, It's then
the sun doth shine, an when thou'rt
gone all is gray, dull and dark, an
naught is bright until thou dost come
again. An, Godfrey, I trust thee en-
tirely. l come to thee willingly to be
thine own dear wife, to care for thee,
to do thy bidding, to go with thee
where'er thy. fortunes take thee, hand
In hand and heart to heart, and to love
thee, Godfrey, until death us do part"
- Speak Of naught that can part us,
sweet Margaret.' he cried, with eager
haste. LET us talk only OF bright
hopes, long life, happiness, Joy and
love"
Happiness, joy and lover she re-
peated softly.
Suddenly on their ears fell the sound
OF the steady tranping of many feet.
Both drew apart and listened atten-
lively. An officers voice giving a
sharp command was brought to them
through the dense stiffness of the night
by the light wind, and soon they could
see across the fields, the full moon IL
Illuminating the steel helmets that they
wore, small band OF soldiers on their
way TO the village. Margaret looked
at her lover in questioning amazement,
and La Fabienne, his face expressing
quick suspicion, uttered an exclama-
ton and, running down TO the stile,
watched the soldiers until they turned
the corner and disappeared.
"If It's as think" he muttered, "the
nlti hO bhChShh 49,
would dare aught against us. l have
played the fool! Margaret" he cried,
going to her with quick strides, "me-
thinks at the sight OF soldiery that
there may be fighting hereabout, so /
would take thee from here speedily. On
the morrow be ready ere the sun ris
eth, thou and Elsbeth, and wo will ride
away without further delay. Fare
well, dear love. God keep thee"
He threw his arms about her protect
lngly as he led her TO the door. At the
steps they both paused.
Margaret" he said seriously, thou
saidst erstwhllc thou trusted me-
Didst mean II, sweetY
Godfrey, trust thee"
"These are dark times, Margaret,
darker mnyhap than we know" he
said, "but whatever cometh, if things
go not our way, trust me. Know that
thou art In my heart before all else
And now farewell again. / have busi-
ness In the village and must give my
parting instructions TO CASTOR"
Margarct's eyes We're filled with
tears at her lovers earnestness, and as
he attempted TO leave her she clung to
him, sobbing bitterly.
Godfrey, thy words are ominous,"
she cried "Thou knowest something of
evil portent. A feeling OF fear hath
fallen on my heart"
Take courage, love. Parbleu, Mar
garet Maryland showing fear OF these
dull village wights! Didst not hear my
promise, sweet, that on the morrow
we'd begone before the village Is
astirT'
As her head still dropped on his
shoulder and she did not reply, he re-
peated:
"Dldst thou not hear me, MargaretT
She raised her head, and, although
there was an expression of strength
and resolution in her eyes, her lips
trembled.
AYE, heard thee, and at sunrise
dressed for the journey thou wilt find
me at the door. God be with thee.
Godfrey"
"In few short hours we will ride
away" he said, with affected gayety.
Farewell again, and once again fare
WELL" embracing her tenderly. And
now, so much have TO do, perforce
n.