Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-16
CHAPTER xXV.-(Continued)


no matter how frequent the changes in
her dress. hung about her neck on a
gold chain. / urged upon her the fact
that such decoration was distasteful
to all good Puritans and warned her
that If she persisted in her headstrong
foolishness she would bring upon her
self much suspicion an distrust. Sud-
denly, as uttered the words, the chain
parted an fell to the floor, where, in
my righteous anger, I grasped it and
but for the woman's heartrending
shrieks an shrill screams Of agony,
that confess disarmed me, I would
have thrown it into the f1rep'
Here his narrative was interrupted
by loud murmurs Of approval from the
audience.
'sFor the nonce, under her spell,
returned the emblem to- her with I'M
willingness, an thereupon, greatly dis
couraged and disheartened in mine
endeavors to lead the woman into bet
ter ways, left the house,"
He paused a moment for greater ef
feet; then. throwing up his head sud-
AG4AyS Co40, Will oAOW CAApluoASy al
noon, councilmen, with the same hand
that held that cross, being innocent of
harm and having no thought Of evil,
I fed my sheep, and before shutdown
many Of the animals were lying sick
Of an unknown diseasew
"Doth make charge, witness7"
asked the attorney.
nl,oroo $t,o+ xro,,,o~ Co m
curst; that the cross she weareth even
now so brazenly on her bosom is a
witch mark that containeth magic to
wreak harm to living creatures" he
answered harshly.
All glances were fixed on Margaret,
who neither moved nor spoke.
continue, witness, an thou hast
more to say" the chief councillor here
interposed.
Josiah again moistened his lips and,
with a nervous motion, adjusted the
plain starched ruff at his throat.
"One evening somewhat later + the
month at the time Of the setting Of the
sun 1 was walking through the forest
on my way to my home from the vii
lage when I encountered this woman
most boldly dressed in gay colored
frock cut in an unseemly fashion to
expose her arms an neck, made thus,
I wot, to lure men to their destruction,
and. pausing before her, with only
thoughts for her good in my heart,
attempted to expostulate with her,
when Of sudden methought sparks of
fire flashed from her eyes! The name
OF Godfrey came in a shrill Shrek
from her lips, an, throwing her arms
about me In fury, she held me as in
a wise with the unnatural strength Of
ten men. For my very life struggled
with her, strange noises sounding
about mine ears, confusing me; then
there was a loud report as Of burst
OF thunder, an was surrounded by a
cloud of smoke that cleared away to
show standing before me the form of
the woman's accomplice, Sir Godfrey
La Fabienne!'
At the sound Of that name the prison
er's boSy swayed as If with suffering,
and she covered Slightly, and from the
assemblage came cries, Kisses and
groans.
"At the instant he appeared before
my vision" the witness continued in
harsh, even tones, II was felled to the
ground by fearful blow, an when
was able to stagger to my feet both
had disappeared. So strange and weird
was the incident and so dazed my mind
that i truth would ha' thought it was
all dream and had been sleeping
had 1t not been for the strong stencil
Of sulphur an powder that lay heavy
on the air, blood streaming from my
nostrils and the number O. birds dead
and dying that were strewn all about
me on the ground"
At the close of this speech the pris-
oner, amaZement and grief depicted on
her countenance, raised her eyes to the
face of her accuser with glance that
contained the deepest reproach, and
the audience gave vent to its repressed
excitement by loud whispers and wild
gesticulations.
Josiah Taunston," here interposed
the young attorney, 'hast thou other
CfAoShSS against luc pTlSOuGT!
"As thou can understand" the wit
ness replied, with significant shrug
Of his shoulders, latter that expert
ence gave both the woman an her
accomplice good safe distance to play
their havoc in. But can repeat much
evidence of trouble wrought amongst
my neighbors," he added eagerly.
''That would be hearsay evidence and
of no value. Thou canst be excused"
Josiah rose and, walking by Marga-
ret with head well up, resumed his seat
by his mother
Henrietta Taunston to the witness
benchn'
A full minute passed, and, as no one
moved or came forward in response to
this call, all faces were turned in the
direction of Hetty Taunston, who, pale
faced and weeping, sat by the side of
Simon Kempster OF, one of the benches
placed nearest the door,
The court crier looked about him.