Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-07-13
CHAPTER XVIII.

N swept over the mountain so
"a intense that men and women
could scarce exert themselves
TO move, and found existence. endurable
only in the shelter OF their homes,
afraid to venture out in the scorching
rays of the sun, and the sheep and cat
tie, stretched out on the ground under
the trees, lay, with closed eyes, pant
ing, not caring to eat. The people,
signing and praying for relief, told
each other significantly that such
scorching air was Il curse put upon
them. But one night, whether it was
in answer to their prayers or the curse
was lifted, the leaves began to rustic
on the trees, and suddenly n breeze
sprang up from the northwest, bring
ing in its wake cool breath that
famed the awful heat away, and the
mountain folk awoke in the morning
refreshed and strengthened to set
about with energy to accomplish tasks
that had of necessity been neglected
during the excessive heat
La Fabienne and Margaret Maryland,
nuvfIs GROWN wcrry or tire -~aAforced
inactivity, rode away gayly from the
door shortly after the noon hour of that
first cool day, with CASTOR for a guide,
to view some waterfalls in a small
hamlet toward the west that the latter
had discovered In his wanderings and
which his master had expressed de-
sire to see. As they found much of in
teresi and heanty in the mountain
scenery 70 take their attention and oc-
cupy their time, the sun had set and
the approach of twilight was at hand
when they rode wearily up to the
house, demanding supper from the
pleased and expectant Elsbeth, who
was waiting at the door.
The loiterers usually standing about
the village hostelry, the Sign of the
Red Heart, taking advantage of the
absence of La Fabienne, also his man
CASTOR, now talked together loudly
and with great earnestness Of the lad
Chrlstopher's tragic death; also other
bvii happenings that had occurred In the
village Of late. One or two men, more
excited than the rest, threw out their
arms wildly, with angry and vindictive
gesticulation, as they harangued the
others, and above their heads, as If
with u desire to be heard, the time
worn, weather beaten old square OF
wood, with red heart painted upon IT,
that from long years of exposure to the
elements was now dull and faded,
swung and creaked noisily on the iron
bar over the door of the tavern from
which 1t was suspended.
Josiah Taunston, riding toward
them, drew rein as he reached The door
and called loudly for tankard of Gle.
The idlers grouped about him eagerly.
Hast heard the news, smasterT
asked one
What news:r
Tho latest report of the devils
handiwork in our affairs; that is ALL
another man interposed hastily. "Of n
truth thou hast heard"
"Nay, / ha' not" he answered sharp
ly. ''But after Adams gran'son's
wicked murder naught of bad tidings
could surprise me- What's amiss nowY'
Several of the bystanders struggled
20 get nearer the horse In position to
tell the story, but the first speaker, tall
er and quicker OF speech than the 9th
ers, commenced the narrative.
"Thou hast heard, WI all of us, that
good Widow Dawson's babe, that for II
week past ON account of the heat lay
i'll of fever which the leech said could
be easily cured, of sudden took a fit
last night an died. The poor dame Is
PROSTATE and sweareth that black arts
were practiced on her child, as Just be
fore it was resting quietly, when"-the
mans voice fell into whisper-"sud-
denly the mother was aroused by
weird noises an fearsome rappings on
the door All OF tremble she opened,
but no one was there. Then, with a
great noise, the lattice blew In, a white
sheet was waved before her eyes,
smoke an the stencil OF sulphur burn
Ing filed the room, an when all was
cleared away she found her innocent
babe in u fit a-dying on the bed"
The men fell back. pale faced and
awe stricken, looking at each other
with open mouths. Taunston took the
tanlIard and quaffed Off the ale, then
from his high place on his horse ad-
dressed the crowd with great impress
siveness.
''Ihe time hath come. good neigh
bors, when we must act" he declared
1T Is useless longer to deny that wick
ed happenings occur here daily; that
Satan, dissatisfied with the righteous
and plous conduct of this God fedrlng
community, hath entered into compact
with one who shall be nameless and
hath chosen to exercise his maleyolent
Influence through her agency. Enough
of evil hath been wrought already" he
cried fierceiy.
Old Adam, the goldsmith, opening his
door at the sound of the loud talking,
peered forth and when he saw Josiah
Taunston ran TO the spot, pushed his
way through the crowd and falling on
his knees beside the horse threw his
apron over his face, crying out: "oh,
Master Taunston; oh, good Josiah, give
me comfoIt in my hour Of trial or !
must go Mad WI thinking on It, Ny
gran'son Christopher The little lad
left me by my dying daughter Betsy,
struck to his death and his soul car
ried away in peais of thunder by the
devil. Oh, lackadayl Woe Is me! God
ha' mercyr'
The man continued to groyel on the
ground, rocking TO and fro. moaning