Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-02
..r,ou meanst my cousin Josiahw


he cried hotly. "for swear he hath
no feeling CT llinship fol- thee. Damme.
but detcst the man! The mere men
ton of his name doth cause my gorge
to rise"
Just then large, halking lad who
was coming toward them with bun
die swung on Il stick over his shoulder,
ltlEaning tGnc Gs he came, mt the
sound of thei.. r3;css eaasei his noise
suddenly, hesitate: to make SIRE then
l.n he'd tii:oagli the bsuahwool and
s.Enli away I:i,,cr the trees in the OPP.
ip5i!te direction.
WAS not that Toby, the hotac boy:"
Margaret asked. Strange chat he
should dodge and hide in that odd man
merit
Sir Godfrey shook his head and
frowncd, then, as if anxious to dispel
the gloom that had fallen on them,
called out gayly to Margaret, who was
riding ahead: See the sun setting be-
hind the hills. sweet love. What red
ncs; it doth reflect against the sky!
wot tomorrow will be warmer STILL"
BY now they had reached the open
roadway, and the lands Of the Maryland
estate spread out before them.
AN there is Elsbeth at the gate"
Margaret said, with Il happy laugh.
'.lie on thee for a foolish old womanw
she called to her in passing, with affec-
Tomato gayely. Hast naught to do but
lock out for cur return:"
Urging OF her horse, she galloped to-
ward the house. Suddenly La Fabi-
ennc. who rod: slowly to look at some
thing by the wayside that attracted his
attention, felt the pressure of a hand
on his arm. Turning, he SAW Elsbeth.
Sudden misfortune hath beeallen
u.s. she said in an agitatel whisper.
1.-THE servants, even old Giles, have
left"
He returned her gaze steadily.
| 50, ho, thou tellcst me but what
did suspect Il moment SINCE" he an
swercu. what reasons gave the COW
ardly churls?"
"rhey said," she replied, with tears
In her eyes, that they would work no
longer for mistress who wore such an
evil cross, that there were strange
tales going about that our bonny Mar
garet was witch, ana that she kept
her evil magic and black arts in the
rapist cross she wore upon her BOSOM"
La Fabienne's hand clutched tighter
to the rein.
Said they 50? The low bred pol
| troons! What further mischief dost
think that gray clad villain. Josiah
Taunston, doth meilitate, good Els
beth? Parbleu, doth the fool think he
Is aiming blows at 81 defenselcss wo
man? L the past l have thought his
petty spite and covetousncss were toe
small TO notice; but, bon Dicu, an he
persists in his prosecutions I'll have
a settling with the fellow"
Then he added in lower voice
"'Twerc better, methinlis, not to dis
trcss thy mistress with this news
prithee, too much already Of unpleas
ant nature hath happened to gricvo
her,"
His horse cantering up to the door
way where Margaret had pulled rein
letting her animal nibblc some grass
growing beside the path, lie sprana
down and assisted her to aligllt
1--WE called Giles she said, "but nc
one answers. Whistle, Godfrey, so that
they may know we have returned"
Sweet, I'll be thy horse boy" Ln
Fahicnne caught her horse by the rein
"Eisbcth says thy servants rose against
her authority, and she sent them pack.
Ing. Look not so serious, Margaret
.he urged. I'VE can replace them ere
the dawn of another day"
acknowledgement turned her white
face to the old woman ana spoke stern
ly-'spcak truth to me. command it
Did my hirelings leave my house be
cause of any feeling of dislike or aver
sion to meg"
"Bonny babe, sweet Margaret" cried
the old woman tremblingly, they sait
Hay. naught against thee so much
but that the cross thou ddst wear was,
papist and wicked, containing evil thai
wrought harm to others! Happier
thoult take it off, sweet" she added
with hope Of encouraging Margaret
81 wot they'd all come back and bs
| glad TO serve thee"
The young mistress of the Maryland
farm raised her head quickly, and The
color that had forsaken her cheeks at
the unexpected tidings Of her servants
detection returned to them. Her eyes
sllarkled dangerously.
"Elsbeth, an thou say such words
thou cannot understand me. an
willing and eager to help these peopl,
and to do all for them within my pow
er, but they cannot dictate to me- Fol
shame, Elsbeth! Thou weak and sill,
Old woman, to talk With towards
tongue" she exclaimed. "Dost thin!
Il woman OF the Maryland blood wouit
forgive faithless. ignorant, disloya
servant who hath spoken i'll of her
Forsoo;h, how long is it since lav,
come to the pass when ! must. ut
hireling's command, remove that whicl
see fit to Wear. This is my home
she raised her head proudly-"built b,
mine own dear grandfather and mint
by every right. have done no per
son i'll either by thought or deed, ant
my cousin need not think he can fore;
I.e from Wuul Is lnluc own. only tll.
morning l promised myself speed,
departure from this Ill fatcd village
but now mcthinks to remain goot
time longer"
Her head held high she turned t,
her lover with flashing smile.
"Thou'lt be my horse boy, Godfrey
in thy satin doublet!"
fright willingly will 1, o proud ant
beauteous mistressv' La Fabicnnc
with answering smile. dotted his ha
to the ground,
: "Illen cannot be unhappy, for iii,
not some wiseacre say "A man is ricl
that hath one faithful friend? Come
lead the horses. and l will follow II
assist thee, Godfrey, for | trow tho,
wouldst a-weary soon with no hors,
boy about to cast thine imprecation
at"
Both laughed merrily at this sally
then, with deep and tender protection
La Fabienne threw his disengaged arm