Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-30

promise to love thee dearly"
With glad cry he stopped and gath
cred her into his arms.
NO more such words, Hetty. l ha
listened long enough Not worthy oil
me, rough. Woodworking farmer-the
maid l ha' ever held so high above al
other womenw
He pressed her fondly to his strongl,
beating heart. saying tenderly, moved
in his great JOY to an unusual express
sion of sentiment, "Ah, Hetty, bright
sunbeam of my life. that went away
so coldly, praise God thou hast come
back. bringing warmth to cheer the sad
heart of lonely man and light to set
glow of JOY about his quiet homer
CHAPTER XX1y.
IN q remote part of Cragenstone
81 FAR from the center of the village
81 built on narrow defile that lee
from the main roadway and al
most hidden by Wild growth of bushes
and high trees. stood the prison where
Margaret Maryland was confined.
1t was primitive affair built rough
ly of logs, the interior comprising @
row of dark cells, II Jag narrow pas
sageway and rocn for the keeper
also large assembly hall where the
village tribunal or council held its SEES
sions. Here it was that they heard
disputants, punished offenders and
otherwise sat In judgment. So quiet
We're the inhabitants of this obscure
mountain village, SO regular i'll their
manner of living, peaceable and law
abiding, that the Jail for lack of serv.
Ing any use of great Importance had
long since fallen into state of neg.
lect. The heavy wooden shutters hung
loosely on broken hinges; the aper.
lures that emitted air and light into
the building We're covered with u rusty,
iron grating, and the plain, wooden
furniture was dilapidated to an ex-
traordinary degree. In fact, the only
part of the old prison that gave evil
dencc Of strength or resistance was the
huge front door Of rough oak beams
riveted together with iron bands that
reached from floor to roof
Before this door on the afternoon
of the day following A1argaret's ar
rest the old jailer. Matthew Allen,
sat on three legged stool sleepily
watching the suns gradual descent
toward the horizon line. His good dog
slept quietly at his side, and inside the
prison the silence was intense.
Sounds of horses hoofs pounding the
roadway fell on the duh ears of the
jailer, who raised his head expectantly,
for watching alone before the Jail in
an isolated part of the village was Il
monotonous existence even for a-pious
old man whose thoughts were wont to
be nearer heaven than earth, and SO
the hope of chance visitor with whom
to discuss the exciting events of the
previous day caused an expression of
unusual intentness to spread over Mat
thew's countenance as he looked to-
ward the turn. Apparently the sight
of the old man was failing, for the
rider had appeared before his vision
and approached quite few yards in
his direction before he recognized the
tall, gray clad form of Josiah Taunston.
With noisy clatter the horse and rider
advanced, the latter pulling rein in
cloud Of dust before the huge door of
the Jail
II give thee good day, Matthew" he
said. How doth fare thy prisoner, the
DEVILS young accomplish? Is she still
with thee?"
YEA. MASTER" the man responded
seriously. "She is here"
'"Thy news Is good" Josiah observed.
Methought, perchance, to hear that she
had disappeared. Gone up + the air on
n streak O. lightning or In a cloud of
smoke, to Join the revels of her evil
At this sally he laughed loud laugh
Of cruel enjoyment The jailer looked
about him fearfully, calling under his
breath for the intercession Of the
saints.
How doth thy prisoner conduct her
self, Matthew AllenY" Taunston in
CURED, with curious gloating. Doth she
rave an curse, tear down her hair an
'all on that white llvered coxcomb,
hat Quondam lover of hers, to come to
save herr"
MY son, her behavior is unusual"
he answered, shaking his head from
side to side in a way that implied his
inability to understand. 1.-The maid
10th sit on the stool quietly, with head
bowed an hands pressed together DER
Ter heart, or else doth kneel on the floor
md rest her head on the side of her
lard pallet"
The jailer sighed.
"Iwere sin, good sir, to feel
for such!" he asked in a
voice, uncertainty.
Josiah, who had. been leaning over to-
ward the old man Familiarity, now sat
rect with sudden motion.
Matthew Allen" he cried sternly,
keep in mind always that thou doth
oMc under the spell of this woman.
'ndcr the snare of her devilish wiles.
Ter tricks are many, tell thee, an
leep is her art. She doth but play n
'art to lure thee on! Hast already had
feeling Of pity for her? Then beware,
Matthew! Keep distant from the charm
# her spell. and pray-pray constantly
or speedy delivcrance from the sore
.illiction that hath been visited upon
his village"
The jailer paled visibly, and his jaw
lropped as with eyes wide open in ter
or he looked into the dark and men.
eng countenance Of Ills visitor, who
low pompously drew Il paper from his
elt and with stern majesty proceeded
o address the old man.
Matthew Allen, keeper of Cragcn-
tone Jail. | have here an order from
he chief councillor. herewith signed
ND sealed, commanding thee to bring
lie prisoner in thy charge-one Mar
arct Maryland. accused OF witclcraft /
before said councillor and council in
he prison hall, where they will be u.s.
embed on the morrow ut tho hour
+ noon"
The juiler took the paper with tren-
ling hands, stammering his surprise