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

Clrely. come 10 Inee Willingly TO De
thine own dear wife, to care for thee,
to do thy bidding, to 60 with thee
where'er thy fortunes take thee, hand
In hand and heart to heart, and to love
thee, Godfrey, until death us do part"
Speak of naught that can part us,
sweet Margaret" he cried, with eager
haste. "Let us talk only Of bright
hopes, long life, happiness, joy and
loveT
Happiness, Joy and lover she re-
| peated softly.
Suddenly on their ears fell the sound
of tile steady tramping Of many feet.
Both drew apart and listened atten-
lively. An officers voice giving a
sharp command was brought to them
through the dense stiffness Of the night
| by the light wind, and soon they could
see across the fields, the full moon H.
Illuminating the steel helmets that they
wore, a small band Of soldiers on their
way to the village. Margaret looked
at her lover in questioning amazement,
and La Fabienne, his face expressing
|
ton and, running down to the stile,
watched the soldiers until they turned
the corner and disappeared.
"If it's as I think," he muttered, 1.-THE
william hath me! I had no thought he
would dare aught against us. have
played the fool! Margaret" he cried,
going to her with quick strides, me
thinks at the sight Of soldiery that
there may be fighting hereabout, SO
would take thee from here speedily. On
the morrow be ready ere the sun ris-
eth, thou and Elsbeth, and we will ride
away without further delay. Fare
well, dear love- God keep thee"
He threw his arms about her protect
ingly as he led her to the door, At the
steps they both paused.
Margaret" he said seriously, thou
saidst erstwhile thou trusted me-
Didst mean 1t, sweet2"
Godfrey, trust thee"
'These are dark times, Margaret,
darker mayhap than we know" he
said, "but whatever cometh. If things
60 not our way, trust me. Know that
thou art in my heart before all else.
And now farewell again. l have busi-
ness in the village and must give my
parting instructions to Castor"
Margaret's eyes were filed with
tears at her lovers earnestness, and as
he attempted to leave her she chung to
him, sobbng bitterly.
Godfrey, thy words are ominous,"
she cried. Thou knowest something Of
evil portent. A feeling of fear hath
fallen on my heart"
Take courage. love. Parhlau- Mar
garet Maryland showing fear Of these
dull village wights! Didst not hear my
promise, sweet, that on the morrow
we'd begone before the village is
astir?"
AS her head still dropped on hts
shoulder and she did not reply, he re-
peated
"Didst thou not hear me, Margaret"
She raised her head, and. although
there was an expression Of strength
and resolution In her eyes, her lips
trembled.
aye, I heard thee, and at sunrise
dressed for the journey thou wilt find
me at the door. God be with thee,
Godfrey"
"In few short hours we will ride
away" he said, with affected gayety.
Farewell again, and once again fare
we'll" embracing her tenderly. "And
now, so much have to do, perforce I
must be gone"
Putting her inside the door and clos
ing it, he walked quickly down the
path toward the forest, and when he
reached it he had to grope his way to
keep from stumbling, for the moon
went under cloud. and dark shad-
ow fell athwart the mountain.