Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-16
CHAPTER Xxi.


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 hurriedlypiling hay in the corners
Of the large, low rooted kitchen for
the men to sleep upon. Catching u
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 anYiously, "My lord"
La Fabienne paused.
81 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 a rough pallet in the
fartliest corner. an thy man CASTOR
hath consented to lie in the stable
for the night"
LIZ SAClttd LIS uuLuS
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
~, L. f,I
hastily.
"say no more, good host. The man
may lie in the corner for aught care,
and the worst l wish him is that he
may rest easy on his pallet" lie con-
cluded indifrerently as he walked
away. when thou canst get thy
breath, send me tankard of ale.
will drink in my room tonight"
The landlord, whose mind was great
~ 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 well, good landlord, that 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
meshes."
a few steps brought him to his room,
md, throwing open the door, he saw
by the Pickering light of the candle
man of about twenty-five years of age,
dandified looking fellow, with weak
blue eyes and light hair, strutting
proudly up and down the room in the
riding suit that Sir Godfrey had
thrown Off before his visit to Margaret.
The officer, being Il 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 ut once began to tug at his boots
In a desperate cndeavor to get them
off, word Of friendly greeting.
"Pardon, my lord. long have want
ed such suit" the fellow explained in
great confusion, IAN l but took the
opportunity, without meaning offense,
of seeing how the fashion would be-
come me-"
La Fabienne regarded him with an
appearance of the utmost satisfaction
and good humor.
"And SO well it suits thee, good fel-
low, and becomes thy dashlng style"
he said, that methinks 'twere pity
to deprive thee of it. Thou may keep
1t and welcome"
Walking to the small window, he
threw open the lattice.
"By the mass, but it's warm in here!
Such holes as they have cut out to let
the air in one can hardly get his hand
through
The soldier, who had accepted the
suit with many expressions of pleasure
and gratitude. now approached La Fa-
bienne, but at that moment, house
maid entering with the ale, he turned
about suddenly, drew himself up to his
highest stature and strutted before her
conceitedly.
Smiling at his airs, his companion
took the tankard, babe the girl bring
up another, and, inviting his new ac-
quaintance to drink with him, they sat
down on the bench together.
cart fond of ladies, good sir?" the
captain inquired, with a roguish shake
of his blond head. 81 warrant that
wench was not i'll looking barring the
wart on her chin"
1t being his turn, he lifted the tank
ard and after taking a long draft
held it on high, exclaimihg with dra-
matte emphasis, "Whate'er of faults
John Bingall hath, slow eye for u
fair lass can ne'er be counted amongst
them"
The honsemaid returning with the
second order, he waved his hand to-
ward La Fabienne with graceful mo-
ton and, still holding the ale above his
head, cried gayly:
"Women, lovely women! Let us
drink to the ladies', Sir Roommate"
Sir Godfrey echoed his companions
bolsterous laughter with an appear
ance of great enjoyment as the maid,
blushing and simpering, left the ROOM
BY now the house below had fallen
into complete quietness, the only
sounds audible being the loud breath
ing of the soldiers, who lay about on
the straw asleep.
'Thy men rest heavily and breathe
as if greatly fatigued," La Fabienne
observed after further conversation of
n light nature regarding the captains
pet thcme-women. "Didst march far