Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-11

wasted in thy foolish parleying. Of
flcer, do thy duty"
The captain had not time to open
hfs mouth to give the order when
Margaret, springing down the steps,
grasped the bride rein of the chief
councillors horse.
Zone moment, good sir. ask for a
short reprieve while some one whom
I can trust doth go to the Sign of the
Red Heart for Sir Godfrey. Those
who know him not. who understand
not his fine sense of honor, may think
I that he hath taken alarm and deserted
me, but"-here she raised her eyes,
gazing passionately into his FACET
know better; / know that he doth re-
main close at hand to rescue me or to
give me comfort
She swayed slightly, and the cap
tain, touched with feeling Of pity,
caught hold Of her arm to steady her.
as there no man here who can give
the damsel proper confirmation Of the
news we bring?" he asked grufly.
At that moment Margaret gave a
piercing shrek of Joy, for CASTOR, with
bowed head and walking slowly, was
just entering the gateway. All eyes
were turned in his direction, and there
was no sound from the people as he
approached and knelt humbly at Mar.
garet's feet.
"Rise, CASTOR" she cried in joyful
tones, "and give the message that thou
dost bring from thy master. Speak
loudly, SO that all his wicked tongued
accusers may hear and know the
wrong that they have done him."
The fellow did not lift his head.
Speak, good CASTOR"
"Fair MISTRESS" he said in thick,
mufied tones, my lord left last
night
The glow Of color that had swept
over Margaret's face at Gaston's ap.
pearance faded away.
whittier went he?"
IT know not, mistress"
"Rise, stupid" she commanded, with
quick Impotence, land speak the mes
sage that Sir Godfrey left for NE.
What good reason for his going gave
he, and what tender words Of COUNSEL
left he for me?''
The fellow rose, but did not meet
her glance He stood with bowed hf~l !,
shifting his feet nervously. "
"Blockhead, wilt never speak?" TT
garet shook his arm angrily.
Good Mistress Maryland" the In
stammered, IL have but one I'D
for thee from my master i
"And that Isl" she interrupt lal-
most wildly in her desperation.
Farewell"
Margaret fell back as if she lfaf re-
ceived blow In the face, ajn7 the
listening crowd closed in pund
them. with gloating looks and biting
words, wild with triumphant 3xcite-
ment. The captain laid his md on
her arm determinedly, but sJo' threw
him of and, clinging to G5ton, be-
sought him to tell her moreG
kind mistress ket --~, -last night
at sbout an hour after, midnight, when
* Twas sleeping heavily on pile Of
straw in the stable. / felt some one
touching me gently and, springing up
in surprise, found my master bending
over me. AS attempted to speak he
put his hand over my mouth and
whispered these words:
CASTOR, positive news hath reached
me that at the rising Of the sun and
Mistress Maryland are to be taken into
custody by the soldiers who arrived
here tonight and thrown into prison.
AS all the passes are strongly guarded
we cannot escape by
"At that instant the man sleeping
at my side Weakened and raised on his
elbow. Ny master, hardly daring to
breathe, crouched lower in the shadow,
SO that he was unperceived.
Much more would I say he
whispered, but cannot take the risk.
Tell Mistress Maryland farewell and
Gust then another fellow stirred,
and, rousing his companion, the men
exchanged words. listening. Breath
less we waited until the soldiers were
breathing regularly again. Then my
lord, giving my hand strong pressure,
took the first safe chance and slipped
noiselessly through the doorway"
"Swear what thou sayst is the
TRUTH Margaret cried, now standing
erect before him, deathlike pallor on
her countenance
"By the sacred memory Of my moth
er's love 1 swear itg CASTOR said
solemnly.
The proud head of the mistress of
the Maryland farm, its covering of vel
low hair cleaning in the sunlight, fell
forward on her breast. The captain to
hide his emotion gave a loud order,
and the soldiers, with noise of clanking
swords, closed in around her.
Margaret looked about her in dazed
manner
There is no need of force" she said
duly. II will go with thee"
The noise from the clamoring, shout
ing mass of people was almost deafen-
ing as the officer, leading Margaret,
bareheaded and the long skirts Of her
riding habit trailing after her on the
ground, started toward the roadway.
ITO the Jail! To the Jail" they cried