Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-12-15
CHAPTER Xxi.

IVA Fabienne found a scene of I'M
ia usual excitement and commo-
mOtion-sOldierS just arrived
and moving about testing among them
selves or calling roughly for bed and
supper; the busy landlord cursing
and giving angry. excited orders to
simpering hOuSemaid, and horse boys,
agape with admiration Of the scarlet
coats. glttering cuirassierS and he'll
mets of the newc0merS-for soldlery
was an unusual sight i'll Cragenstone-
were hurriedlypiling hay i'll the corners
Of the large, low rooted kitchen for
the men to sleep upon. Catching
glimpse of Sir Godfrey making his way
through the throng to the foot of the
narrow staircase, his host ran after
him and, touching him OIL the shoulder,
whispered anXiously, My lord"
La Fabienne paused.
81 have been forced to put the young
officer in charge Of these men into thy
room for the night" the innkeeper
said. HE will not annoy thee, sir.
We ha' spread Il rough pallet in the
farthest corner, an thy man CASTOR
hath consented to lie in the stable
for the night"
The excited man rubbed his hands
together propitatingly.
"Thou'rt ever generous, my lord,
and reader with thy gold than most,
so I would not offend thee, although
there are some as say thy presence III
nv house doth bode me evil" he ven
tured to add
Suppressing the inclination toward
anger that he felt, La Fabienne said
hastily.
"Say no more, good host The man
NAV lie in the corner for aught care
and the worst l wish him is that he
may rest easy on his pallet" he con-
cluded indifferently as he walked
away. when thou canst get thy
breath. send me a tankard Of ale.
will drink in my room tonight"
The landlord, whose mind was great
ly relieved, after profuse bows with
drew hastily, and Sir Godfrey, alone on
the dark, crooked stairway, where
there was no need of hiding the deep
feeling that stirred him by forcing q
calm exterior, paused, thinking deeply,
great anxiety showing itself on his
countenance.
otis well, good landlord that thou
didst give me the proper man, who
happen hath taste for home brew that
taken in quantities enough may loosen
his tongue" he said under his breath.
tIf my suspicious are correct, that these
men have been sent here to get evil
dence against Margaret upon Josiah
! Taunston's representations and then tc
| take her into custody, by my faith, to-
morrow at sunrise is not one hour too
early for us to ride away. Fool, fool
that | have been to treat the deep laid
schemes of that william with such con-
tempt! Diable! AlmOst-almOst, | say
the net he threw did catch us in its
meshes"
A few steps brought him to his room,
and, throwing open the door, he saw
by the Pickering light of the candle a
man Of about twenty-five years Of age,
q dandified looking fellow, with weak
blue eyes and light hair, strutting
proudly up and down the room in the
riding suit that Sir Godfrey had
thrown off before his visit to Margaret.
The officer, being a man of lower stat
ure than La Fabienne, the long leather
boots reached fairly to his hips, and his
sword, that he had just adjusted, clank-
ed against them as he walked. At the
sudden appearance of their owner he
/ fell back against the wall, with pale
/ face, hanging jaw and look of great
abashment on his countenance.
/ La Fabienne entered with easy famil-
iarity, giving the discounted captain,
who at once began to tug at his boots
in a desperate endeavor to get them
off, word of friendly greeting.
Pardon, my lord. l long have want
ed such a suit the fellow explained in
great confusion. IAN / but took the