Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-29

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were dark and moved away with low.
thunderous growls.
Margaret, who, with Sir Godfrey, had
remained in the sitting room, ~ 30
house during the awful outburst Of the
elements, now rose from her seat and,
crossing to the window, threw open the
lattice. saying with little SILVER:
Heaven be thanked! IT'S over, with no
harm done. That last peal Of thunder
had murderous sound that filled my
soul with apprehension. God keep all
travellers and dumb animals safew she
added seriously.
La Fabienne came to her side.
IF my bird is afraid Of storms" he
observed smilingly, "she should not
have made her nest on the topmost
peak Of mountain, so high that when
the clouds grow angry and fall low she
Is perforce In the midst of the COM
motion"
Godfrey" = Margaret turned her
sweet, serious face to his-'thou know
eth that thy bird rests not lightly in
her mountain nest. Although she is
free to fly hither and thither as she
listeth, there is an unpleasant con-
straint in all the air about her. Oh,
bonny Paris" she exclaimed, throwing
out her hand with swift, dramatic
gesture, right willingly would 1 ex-
change the freedom Of my village nest
for captivity in cage were it hung in
thy bright streets!" :
La Fabienne smiled tenderly at her
earnestness as he encircled her with
his arm.
"Soon, sweet love. by my faith, thou
wilt exchanged he said. ALREADY a
cage, not Of gilt bars, but huge pile
Of stone and mortar, with doors and
windows, is in readiness for thee.
From it thou art ever free to come and
go, the only bars that will ever seek to
stay thee being these two arms that
now intwine so lovingly about thee"
'And. prithee. happily will 1 stay
close to their strong protection. Oh,
my dear love-" she cried, with soft
eagerness, "dost know how much thou
art to me? Who else in ali this cold
world have II love thee, Godfrey
For answer he clasped her closer to
his heart
Soon steps were heard and, looking
from the window, they saw Hetty
Taunston, a white sunbonnet in her
hand, running up the path. With u
cry Of pleasure, Margaret advanced to
meet her and, taking her hand, led her
into the room.
"Hetty! Stranger! Welcomew she
cried gayly. 'Methought thou hadst
forsaken thy cousin"
Hetty made shy courtesy to La
Eabienne, who bowed in his most state
" fashion, and said in a low, breathless
Voice, Mother hast grown strangely
stern Of late, dear Margaret, and for
bids me to visit thee, for what reason
know not"
The smile on Margaret's face faded.
can thou didst come now with her
consent?" she asked.
NAY, sweet cousin. In the cool Of
the morning mother rode down the
mountain to Brother Haggott's, there to
spend the night, so'-with little toss
of her head and a light laugh-"me-
thought not to lose the chance to get
glimpse Of thee unknownst to her."
"p truth, sweet Margaret stroked
her soft hair fondly-"an thy disobe-
dience is discovered twill put thy peo-
pie against thee sorely."
Hetty sighed.
II wot not why my mother Is so hard
with me. Happen put small flower
in my hair she is greatly angered.
Dost think such ornament sinful, Mar
garrett" she asked wistfully.
Her cousin smiled, and La Fabienne
broke into hearty laugh of amuse-
ment.
Poor little Mistress Hettyw he ex-
claimed. "Didst never have other
pleasure than singing psalms in the
church,"
"Nay, unless tits walking home from
prayers O nights" she replied inno-
Gently.
Then. as he laughed again, this time
more loudly, Hetty became conscious,
blushed and hung her head The sight
of her pretty confusion touched Sir
Godfrey.
Here, Margaret, string thy lute," he
cried, "and Mistress Hetty and will
tread measure"
Margaret, smiling touched the cords
gently, and La Fabienne, bowling low,
offered bis hand to Hetty, who when
she understood his meaning shrank
back in alarm, with white face and
parted lips.
may, nay, SIR" she stammered. 81
must refuse thee. In our belief dane
ing is sin that sends the soul to eter-
nal punishment, for so our preacher
hath ever taught us, and my brother
Josiah would cast me out Of the house
an he heard I INDUCED in such prac-
tees"
Sir Godfrey, inclining his head cour-
teously, walked away, and Margaret
threw down her lutte, interposing
hastily to cover Hetty's embarrass-
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