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

Duy IT.
For thy cousin can have naught
that doth belong to thee" he ANNOUNCE
ed, with decision.
Their final arrangements being made,
their conversation driftcd to other
matters.
"How truly doth the Scripture speak,
dear Godfrey" Margaret said gently,
where it saith that one day telleth
not what another day bringeth FORTH
When thou didst come did not think
to go back with thee. Methought thou
would come again for me-"
Margaret, tell me truly, had the
conditions been happier, had thy stay
here been more pleasant, could thou
have let me ride down the mountain
without thce?"
"Ah, Godfrey" she replied, with
little tlutterng sigh, Il am such n weak
woman and SO overload of thee that
hadst thou wrung consent from me to
| let thee so l wot when l saw thy back
| turned toward me would fain forget
my promise and In my loneliness and
despair run after thee, throw myself
in the roadway at thy horses heels and
| cry to thee to take me with thee to
sunny France, to Paris, the city
love-"
La Fabienne laughed a joyful, ring
ing laugh as he clasped her to his
heart. Sweet, when set foot in this
| village and saw the set of churls about
where thou hadst taken up thy dwell
Ing resolved when Nwould begone to
take my sweet love with me. Didst
think, Margaret" he cried, with sud-
den passion, that l would leave thee,
| my tender flower, raised under the
rays of the warm sun of France, to
wither away and perish on this bleak
mountain! Nay, love; too close hold
thee in my hearth
The wind rose and blew colder
through the trees. Drawing her cloak
closer about her, Margaret clung to her
lovers arm.
! "'Tls a solemn night, Margaret" he
said whimsically, thou and alone to-
! gether on this high mountain top, miles
away from those who love us and In
reality among band Of evil wishers
and enemies-we two, with our troth
plighted and our wedding day so near
| Mt hand! Is't not enough to make n
man stop to consider when he is on the
brink Of such serious undertaking?
Sweet Margaret" he continued serious
~, pressing her hand, knowing so
well thy worth, seeing thy marvellous
beauty and having fine understand
ing of thy high character, tremble
lest, imperfect man that / am, i may
not live up to thy standard; that may
fail to fill thy life SO full of happiness
as l hope now and pray God l may
do
Margaret laughed sweet, low, hap
py laugh.
Hath finished, foolish Godfrey?
Then hear mine answer to thy drivel-
ings! In all the world love no one
like thee. OF thy imperfections know
naught. Thou art part of me. With
out thee would die When, dear
| Godfrey, thou art near me, tits then
the sun doth shine, am when thou'rt
gone all is gray, dull and dark, an
nausht is bright until thou dost come
again. An, Godfrey, 1 trust thee en-
tirely. come to thee willingly to be
thine own dear wife, to care for thee,
to do thy bidding, to go 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
lovew
Happiness. joy and love-" she re-
peated softly.
Suddenly on their ears fell the sound
of the steady tramplns of many feet.
Both drew apart and listened atten-
lively. An officers voice giving
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, Il small band OF soldiers on their
way to the village. Margaret looked
at her lover in questioning amazement,
ana La Fabienne, his face expressing
| quick suspicion. uttered an eXclama-
ton and, running down to the stlle,
watched the soldiers until they turned
the corner and disappeared.
IF It's as think" he muttered, 'the
william hath me! / had no thought he
would dare ;saglit against us. 1 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 l
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" lie said seriously, chou
saidst erstwhile thou trusted me-
Didst mean it, sweet?"
Godfrey, l trust thee"
| "These are dark times, Margaret,
darker maIhap than we know" he
said, "but whatever cometh, If things
so not our way, trust me. Know that
thou art in my heart before all else
And now farewell again. have bust
ness in the village and must give my
| parting instructions to Gaston.'
Margaret's eyes We're filed with
| tears nj her lovers earnestness, and as
he attempted to leave her she chung to
him, sobbing bitterly.
Godfrey, thy words are ominous,"
she cried. Thou llnowest something of
evil portent \ feeling of fear hath
fallen on my heart"
Take courage, love. Parbleu, Mar
| garet Maryland showing fear of these
dull village wishts! Didst not hear my
promise, sweet, that on the morrow
we'd begone before the village is
astir!'
AS her head still dropped on his
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
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