Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-27

irritation and anger caused by ner
daughters delay at the brook knew no
bounds. She called the girls name
shrilly once, twice, muttering angriy
as she got no response.
Just then Josiah rode in from MS
visit to the Maryland farm.
"Cease thy shrewish screaming,
mother" he commanded roughly.
"Dost wish to rouse the village! my
voice can be heard half a mile De-
low"
The dame, angered at his rebuke, re-
sumed her seat in sullen silence, ana
Josiah took his horse to the barn. In
short time he returned and, entering
the kitchen, threw himself down heav-
ily on a chair near his mother, VINO
continued to spin busily without ap-
parently needing his presence.
At last he broke the silence by saying
with affected carelessness: Thou dldst
not tell me-if my memory serves me
well on so slight matter-of what APP
pearance the cavalier was that RODE
by Haggott's and mistook the Stern
dorf road. Was he an unbearded gar
liant, tickle and changeable as the wlnd,
one day mad in love with a pretty
face and forgetting it the next, or was
he old and gray haired, with an eye TO
finishing his days in comfort on the
estate of his brideT
His mother looked out through the
doorway, refectively maintaining for
a moment or two provoking silence.
After what seemed to the impatient
Josiah an interminable length of time
she remarked with i'll concealed eager
ness. "Thou vert successful in thy
wooing, Josiah, and ask now Of thine
enemy's appearance in order that thou
mayst know the extent of thy
triumph
"As to that matter, nothing Is
definitely settled" he replied impa-
tiently. 81 will explain our under
standing later, mother, when the noon
hour is not at hand and the animals
to be fed. Canst not find words to
answer my question:" he cried out in
harsh tones. "Didst thou see this
Frenchman plainly? Of what appear
ance was he?
With quiet elaboration, which was
in direct contrast to her sons excited
manner, she commenced her MARIA
tive
Josiah, ha' told thee of the gal
lant's sudden appearance at good
Brother Haggott's door, Of his loud
knocking and of how from my place
behind the lattice l observed him care
fully"
"Aye, thou hast, but naught else"
Josiah interposed with eagerness.
"His age, mother? OF what age
looked he?"
"Methought as I saw him that the
knight was getting OH to thirty sum-
mers, mayhap one or two more" she
said. "He was large Of stature and
finely built, with gray eyes and brown
pointed beard worn + the French fash
ion. A round hat with sweeping feath-
err covered his hair, long leathern rid
ing boots reached to his hips, and his
doublet was Of ruby velvet, with black
satin slashings. Good son Josiah"-she
| laid her hand on his arm with an eX'
preston Of feeling unusual with her
"he presented such a dazzling picture
to mine eyes that for the nOnce-know'
ing that oft to silly women the sight OF
rich and tawdry dress doth weigh heav'
lily against piety, honesty and worth OF
| character-a feeling of insecurity, ap
prehension and alarm for thy prospects
30 filed my mind that saw the man
who would supplant thee ride bravely
away in the wrong direction with ex
ultation and feeling Of gratitude tC
God for his gracious protection OF us
ever his righteous and faithful serv
ants" she concluded in her most de
vout manner.
Springing to his feet, TaunstOn paced
the room with nervous strides, occa
sionally pausing to look out Of the win
dow or to stand stern and gloomy be
fore the chimney fire. Suddenly, as Il
unable to contain himself longer, hi
made a sharp exclamation and, going
TO his mother, who had resumed bel
spinning, cried desperately: Mother,
ha' sworn that those lands shall bt
mine! An the knowledge that there |!
an enemy approaching with intent tt
battle my desire doth set me ON TIT
verge of frenzy
"Calmness, she replied in voice o.
warning. "COld calculation and trus
in God were ever better, my son, thai
hot words and hasty action Alread!
Abigail's misdirection hath sped the
six days on thy -wOoing and six day
more before the Skollvent stream vii
be passable, not taking into considera
ton the knowledge Of the'pest of mea
sles that spreads so thickly about tn
town of Sterndorf, where our traveller
are resting safely there by now"
She laughed in grim enjoyment
"Happen, lad, we may ne'er hear Q
them again"
Josiah paused in his restless walking
and leaned against the casing Of tn
door, with a CLEAN Of hope in his eyes
"Ha, ha," his laughter rang out harsl
and mirthless. "An our gallant cOur
tier doth fall a victim to the pest twill
be long number O. days before he cal
recover strength to ride down vol
rocky mountain road. In that time
with perseverance and determination
much Roadway can be NADER
He opened his lips to continue, hes
tated, then said: "Thou saidst thin
that yon cavaliers face was not on
| 30 ,,,,,oJ, ottra otivanpcS good mother