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


"Are nntne eyes evtl9"
yonder by the sundial, near the path
that leads through the pasture from
the Taunston farm, when one of the
village women, walking through, came
upon me- For few seconds she stood
still and stared at me, then, throwing up
der arms, ran from me, crying wildly:
Gods protection, it's the witch! ha'
looked into her eyes! I will be stricken
of the devilr Godfrey, tell me what it
all doth mean"
Her lovers face reflected the serious
ness Of her own.
Sweet, this foolish nonsense hath
gone to greater measures than l had
ever thought it would" he said. THY
cousins influence is strong in this COM
munity and the superstitions Of the
people so great that it takes but little
tattllng to make great stories and to
have them all believed. 1t Is that foul
| fend Josiah Taunston's scheme to set
all against thee, so that thou wilt be
forced to abandon thine estate. Then
when thou art gone, as next Of kin, he
would ride in and take possession"
Sir Godfrey's face grew dark.
"The bastard keeps out Of my way,
Or from the very bitterness 1 hold in
my heart against him would long
since have run him through" he said.
"But will deal with him before I
leave, for have sworn that no man
may speak evil of thee and live"
Godfrey" Margaret's eyes were
filed with sudden terror, promise me
that thou'lt not anger him, for any
fitting Of words between We, so hot is
| each against the other, that conflict
4 would ensue that might end in-death.
Smile"-she swept her hand with af-
1 fected gayety over his frowning coun-
/ tenance-"chase that angry lon- fs.at'
on thy face, and now under this bright
moon, with the breeze stirring so soft
| ly, think only that thou art with me
and that tonight is ours"
! He drew her closer to him, and they
paced slowly up and down under the
| shadows of the trees.
Margaret, methinks to journey forth
to London in three days. Canst be
ready to go with me, sweet?"
| AT the unexpected announcement a
deep flush spread over Margaret's coun-
tenance, extending to the roots of her
/ hair
Ready to go with thee, Godfrey?"
she repeated questioningly.
/ y
In voice touched with emotion, "as
my adored, deeply cherished wife
that is how Will take thee, sweetv'
| For answer she raised her face to
his, and they kissed each other.
II will go with thee, Godfrey" she
said simply.
The moon rose higher in the heavens
and seemed to shed brighter luster
on the scene as, pacing slowly up and
down, the mistress Of the Maryland
farm and her lover, talking in low
voices, made their plans and arranged
for their departure AS there We're
no servants about the place, Elsbeth
taking care of the house and CASTOR
doing the work among the animals,
there was no chance of their intended
departure being known. 1t was La
Fabienne's idea to rise before the sun
and, with Elsbeth and Margaret, ride
down the mountain, leaving the estate
In charge of trusty CASTOR. By fast
riding they could reach London be-
fore the dawn Of another day and
would go at once to the house Of La
Fabienne's sister, the Lady Grenville,
where they would be married and then
proceed to Paris.
Margaret saying, with little SILVER,
that she would never care to visit
Cragenstone again, Sir Godfrey said
that they would offer her estate, in
Guiding house and animals, to land
dealer he knew in London at such a
low figure that he would not refuse to
buy it.
"For thy cousin can have naught
that doth belong to thee" he announc-
ed, with decision.
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 1 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 fluttering sigh, Il am such weak
woman and SO overload Of thee that
hadst thou wrung consent from me to
let thee go Yot when saw thy back