Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-13
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
YIN remote part of Cragenstone,
| far from the center Of the village,
! a built on narrow defile that led
from the main roadway and al
most hidden by wild growth of bushes
and high trees, stood the prison where
Margaret Maryland was confined.
1t was primitive affair built rough
| ~ of logs, the interior comprising
row Of dark cells, long narrow pas
sageway and a room for the keeper;
also large assembly hall where the
village tribunal or council held its ses-
sions. Here it was that they heard
disputants, punished offenders and
otherwise sat in judgment. So quiet
were the inhabitants of this obscure
mountain village, so regular in their
manner Of living, peaceable and law
abiding, that the Jail for lack of serv-
ing any use of great Importance had
long since fallen into state of neg
lect The heavy wooden shutters hung
loosely on broken hinges; the aper-
lures that emitted air and light into
the building were covered with a rusty,
| iron grating, and the plain, wooden
furniture was dilapidated to an ex-
traordinary degree. In fact, the only
part Of the old prison that gave evil
dence Of strength OF resistance was the
huge front door Of rough oak beams
riveted together with iron bands that
reached from floor to roof
Before this door on the afternoon
of the day following Margaret's ar
rest the old jailer, Matthew Allen
sat on a three legged stool sleepily
watching the suns gradual descent
toward the horizon line. His good dog
slept quietly at his side, and inside the
4 prison the silence was intense.
Sounds of horses hoofs pounding the
roadway fell on the dull ears of the
jailer, who raised his head expectantly,
for watching alone before the Jail in
an isolated part of the village was q
mOnotonous existence even for pious
old man whose thoughts We're wont to
be nearer heaven than earth, and SO
the hope of a chance visitor with whom
to discuss the exciting events of the
previous day caused an expression Of
i unusual intentness to spread over Mat
thews countenance as he looked to-
4 ward the turn. Apparently the sight
of the old man was failing, for the
I rider had appeared before his vision
and approached quite few yards in
his direction before he recognized the
I: tall, gray clad form of Josiah Taunston.
J: With noisy clatter the horse and rider
advanced, the latter pulling rein in a
cloud Of dust before the huge door sof
the Jail.
i II give thee good day, Matthew" he
said. How doth fare thy prisoner, the
devils young accomplice? Is she still
u with thee?'
"Yea, MASTER the man responded
seriously. "She Is here"
"Thy news is good" Josiah observed.
"Methought, perchance, to hear that she
had disappeared. Gone up + the air on
streak O. lightning or in a cloud Of
smoke, to join the revels of her evil
i companions"
!, At this sally he laughed loud laugh
of cruel enjoyment. The jailer looked
about him fearfully, calling under his
saints
How doth thy prisoner conduct her
self, Matthew Allen?" Taunston in
J quired, with curious gloating. Doth she
rave an curse, tear down her hair an
!, call on that white livered coxcomb,
! that quondam lover of hers, to come to
save herr"
w hn~ Hoh 10, II
he answered, shaking his head from
J side to side in way that implied bis
inability to understand. 1.-THE maid
doth sit on the stool quietly, with head
J bowed an hands pressed together DER
her heart, or else doth kneel on the floor
and rest her head on the side of her
hard pallet"
The jailer sighed
"'Twere sin, good sir, to feel a
sympathy for such?" he asked In q
, trembling voice, uncertainty.
! Josiah. who had been leaning over to.
ward the old man familiarly, now sat
erect with sudden motion.
Matthew Allen" he cried sternly
keep in mind always that thou doth
come under the spell Of this woman
under the snare of her devilish wiles
Her tricks are many, l tell thee, an
deep is her art. She doth but play q
part to lure thee on! Hast already had
i feeling Of pity for herr Then beware
Matthew! Keep distant from the charm
of her spell, and pray-pray constantly
for speedy deliyerance from the sore
affection that hath been visited upor
, this village"
The jailer paled visibly, and his jaw
dropped as with eyes wide open in ter
ror he looked into the dark and men
acing countena9ce of his visitor, who
now pomponsly drew paper tom BIZ