Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-05-25

Josiah, leaning forward. spoke i'm
pressively.
His idea was that should learn the
land, so that one day would be mas
ter here Knowest thou that he named
rae for thy husband, cousin:'
NAY, it's not So" Margaret cried ex.
citedly. rising and confronting him, "or
else 1t would be so stated In his docu-
ments. In them it is most clearly writ
that only at my death. should / die
without issue, art thou successor herer'
Calm thyself, good cousin. The
thought is new TO thee. and therefore
thou'rt disturbed. To me-" he added in
low voice, this thought hath been
food and drink since thy father-I
mesn," hastily correcting himself
"since first | saw thee"
He rose and came to her.
Take time 10 think on the words I
ha' just spoken. Pray for guidance to
see the wisdom of accepting the love
and protection of a true hearted, right
eous and God fearing man, Margaret,
an thrust not aside carelessly the offer
OF marriage he now makes to thee"
She lifted her head hastily as IL to
speak, but Josiah stopped her with a
stern, peremptory motion of his hand.
Nay, cousin, answer not now. Such
grave consideration as is now before
thee takes time to think on. I'll speak
with thee on the subject again when
thou hath let the thought of me in the
position of thy husband dwell longer in
thy heart God guide thee to right de-
cision. Fare thee well, Margaret May
land"
She courtesied stifily. and he, after In
clining his head, strobe through the
open doorway and, mounting his horse,
rode toward the village.
At the sound of the closing of the
door Margaret ran to the window and
threw open the lattice, sxclalming with
a shiver: '''Tis damp and musty in this
room. or else tis my cousins PROPOSE
ton that hath chilled me. I'll let the
sunshine In. and Giles can put some
logs TO burn In the chimney place.
Prlthee, the room must be warm and
cheerful for Godfrey, who" she whis-
pered happily, now that the storm Is
broken, will come ere nightfall."
For time she looked out of doors,
humming gay tune lightly, then. leav-
ing the room. ran up the stairs and,
bursting into the chamber where Els
beth was sitting mending linen, stood
before her with flushed face and spar
king eyes.
'What frock shall wear for God
frey. EIsbethY
"Sir Godfrey hath Gomez" The wo-
man laid down her work and looked ut
Margaret In surprise, who answered
petulantlY: Nay. -dullard. How-couM
he travel in such awful storms Ger
mountain roads he knows notT'
She drew piece of paper from her
bosom, reading slowly, Tuesday
shall reach the inn at Hackvon, lay
there one night and wilt be with thee
ON the morrow, Wednesday,"
She raised the paper TO her lips.
"Thus reads his missive, Elsbeth.
Thoult remember that the storm rose
wild Wednesday, now six days gone
by. An so, ah, me-" she sighed dismal
ly, poor Godfrey hath been imprison-
ed nil these dreary hours in that foul
tavern. the Puritan, where we were
forced to rest when we journeyed hith-
er" For a moment she was silent.
"But the storm hath br6Aen and set
him freer' she cried triumphantly, lift
ing her radiant face to the sunlight.
"And now, | promise thee, he rideth
fast to Cragenstone"
Suddenly she grew more serious and,
seating herself on a little stool at Els
beth's feet, rested her elbows ON the
woman's lap above the mendlng. COW
cred her face with her hands and ap-
peared to be In deep thought.
what thinkest thou, Elsbeth, OF my
cousin Josiah" she asked after time.
"He hath the appearance of an up
a.. 9o.l