Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-06
CHAPTER XXI.

"A T the Sign Of the Red Heart In
~ Fabienne found scene of un-
"A usual excitement and commo-
motion-soldie just arrived
and moving about TESTING among them
selves or calling roughly for bed and
! supper; the busy landlord cursing
and giving angry, excited orders to a
simpering housemaid, and horse boys,
agape with admiration Of the scarlet
coats, glittering cuirassiers and he'll
NETS of the newcomers-for soldiery
was an unusual sight in Cragenstone-
were hurriedly piling hay in the corners
of the large, low rooted kitchen for
the men to sleep upon. Catching a
glimpse Of Sir Godfrey making his way
through the throng to the foot of the
narrow staircase, his host ran after
him and, touching him on the shoulder,
whispered anxiously, my lord"
La Fabienne paused.
II have been forced to put the young
officer in charge of these men into thy
room for the night" the innkeeper
said. "He will not annoy thee, sir.
We ha' spread rough pallet in the
farthest corner, an thy man CASTOR
hath consented to lie in the stable
for the night"
The excited man rubbed his hands
together propitiatingly.
"Thou'rt ever generous, my lord,
and reader with thy gold than most,
SO would not offend thee, although
there are some as say thy presence in
my house doth bode me evil" he ven
tured to add.
SURPRISING the inclination toward
anger that he felt, La Fabienne said
hastily.
"Say no more, good host. The man
may lie In the corner for aught I care,
and the worst I wish him is that he
may rest easy on his pallet" he con-
Guided indifferently as he walked
away. when thou canst get thy
breath, send me a tankard Of ale.
will drink in my room tonight"
The landlord, whose mind was great
ly relieved, after profuse bows with
drew hastily, and Sir Godfrey, alone on
the dark, crooked stairway, where
there was no need Of hiding the deep
feeling that stirred him by forcing a
calm exterior, paused, thinking deeply,
great anxiety showing itself on his
countenance.
"'Tis we'll, good landlord, mat thou
didst give me the proper man, who
happen hath taste for home brew that
taken In quantities enough may loosen
his tongue" he said under his breath.
IF my suspicious are correct, that these
men have been sent here to get EVIL
dence against Margaret upon Josiah
Taunstons representations and then to
take her into custody, by my faith, to-
morrow at sunrise is not one hour too
early for us to ride away. Fool fool
that have been to treat the deep laid
schemes Of that william with such con-
tempt! Diable! Almost-almost, say,
the net he threw did catch US in its
meshesw
A few steps brought him to his room,
and, throwing open the door, he saw
By the Pickering light of the candle a
man Of about twenty-five years Of age,
dandi1ed looking fellow, with weak
blue eyes and light hair, struttlng
proudly up and down the room in the
riding suit that Sir Godfrey had
thrown of before his visit to Margaret.
The officer, being man Of lower stat
ure than La Fabienne, the long leather
boots reached fairly to his hips, and his
sword, that he had just adjusted, clank-
ed against them as he walked. At the
sudden appearance Of their owner he
fell back against the wall, with pale
face, hanging Jaw and look Of great
abashment on his countenance.
La Fabienne entered with easy famil-
iarity, giving the discounted captain,
who at once began to tug at his boots
in desperate endeavor to get them
off, word Of friendly greeting.
Pardon, my lord. long have want
ed such suit" the fellow explained In
great confusion, IAN I but took the
opportunity, without meaning offense,
Of seeing how the fashion would be-
come. me-"
Continued in next issue.>