Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-02

in the leather purse Of his belt, ready
to throw some loose coin to the young
sters
At that instant woman in torn
cotton frock appeared at the doorway,
her face drawn in terror and pointing
a long finger toward Margaret
'"Tirzahl Clarinda! Luker' she shrek
ed. "Come in behind the doors! Ills
the lady with the evil cross! Hast for
got the lad Christopher's fate? Run!
command ye to runv'
The panic stricken children, with
white faces and in great fear, rushed to
their mothers side, clinging to her
skirts tremblingly as she slammed the
door and noisily drew the bolt
What said the shrewish wench ?"
asked La Fabienne as he took his place
beside Margaret.
Il did not exactly get her meaning.
but she called the children from me,
warning them Of poor Christopher's sad
DEATH" she replied. "As 1 told thee,
Godfrey, all blame of the lads mis-
fortune is laid to mine Indifference"
La Fabienne noting the cloud On his
companions face, his own grew dark,
and he laid his hand upon his sword.
by heaven, Margaret, an any man
makes such insinuations in my hearing
I'll run him through
NAY, talk not Of bloodshed, God
frey" she answered, with a gentle
sigh, "but think rather of the time
when we will ride away together from
these unjust people to a joyous and
happy life in France"
'Naught-but that hope and the sweet
JOY Of thy presence doth keep me here.
] do assure thee, Margaret" he replied
seriously. "But, mark me, sweet, until
we leave no man sights thee without
settling the reckoning with me-"
Margaret, whose kind heart was full
of sorrow and trouble at the r, ent
misadventure, also the consequent con-
duct of her neighbors, took heart at her
lovers fond words.
"Thy protection and love giveth
great comfort, Godfrey" she repli
Then, with little sigh, But l wot,
this is a most depressing neighbor-
hood"
La Fabienne laughed lightly, amused
at her last observation.
See, yonder," she continued, lis Ad-
ANS cottage, the goldsmith, where poor
Christopher's body lieth awaiting bur-
ial. Methinks the wreath of roses
sent yesterday was not enough to ex-
press my sympathy. I would like to
offer Adam some gold, Godfrey. Hap
pen the old man is in need in his hour
Df trouble"
At the sound of horses hoofs Adam
Browdie appeared at the door, and
when he saw who it was drew back,
with blanched face, his tongue cleaving
to the roof of his mouth.
II give thee good day, ADAM" Mar
garet said, riding closer, "and 1 have
much sympathy with thee in thy sor-
row. Wilt take this small handful Of
gold, good man, as at times like these
folk have many extra needs?"
The sun, glittering over the house,
fell on the cross lying on her bosom,
Illuminating it. In Adams fear and
terror 1t was all he saw, and to his ex-
cited imagination it appeared to blazen
forth, covering the whole front of her
dress.
go on thy wicked wayw he cried
in quavering tones, land stop not be-
fore the door where thou hast wrought
such dire evil! Thy wreath Of roses
lieth in ashes in the road! We applied
a torch ere thy servant left; and thy
gold, take it with thee. want it
notv'
He closed the door and fastened it,
drawing the bar across with noisy vi
olence. Margaret's face was white as
she picked up her rein, and La Fabi-
enne rode at her side with da-k looks
and flashing eyes.
"Gads, in France we have a man
whipped for less than that! Mon
Dieu,' he exclaimed angrily, were not
I :