Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-20

Margaret had left q lover In France
that vast coming here anon to claim
her hand in marriage"
Josiah's heart grew cold within him.
81 heard the idle gossip" he replied
hoarsely, "but gave the rumor no Gre
dence, as my cousin in our frequent
meetings hath made no mention OF
such a man. Why detain me here at
this late hour, when am already chill
ed to the marrow, to fash me with such
unpleasant gossip? Margaret is so
young, her aunt so strict, / much mis-
doubt me that she e'er hath had much
converse with men, much less already a
lover plighted and betrothed. Let's to
the house. TITS filter place for con-,
verse;. If thou hast aught to say, than
this foul horse stall, with the wind
blowing the flame of thy candle into
blaze"
He moved impatiently toward the
doorway, but his mother sprang before
him, laying a strong OBTAINING hand on
his arm.
Hist Hetty waits within and must
not hear" she said in an impressive
voice. Josiah, methinks l saw your
cousin Margaret's lover ride by good
Brother HaggOtt's door late this after
noon"
"Haw Josiah exclaimed sharply.
"Why dost thou think SO? What man
ner Of man didst see?"
The two tall figures standing close
together in the dark barn under
hanging loft Of hay, with the splutter-
ing candle throwing out faint, uncer-
tain streaks of light, presented weird
picture. Suddenly the horse whinnied.
Both started.
'aThree hours after noon / closed
Mary Haggott's eyes in death" She
commenced her narrative slowly as one
who knew that what she had to say
would command attention. "And not
an hour later, when was still busying
myself about the chamber of the dead,
| heard sounds of horses feet and the
voices of men. Looking through the
lattice, l espied cavalier richly dress
ed and mounted, followed by serv-
ant. They had reached the fork In
the roadway just below Haggott's and,
having pulled rein, there waited, unde-
cided which road to pursue. With
great interest 1 was still gazing from
behind my place of concealment with
wonder at the unusual appearance In
these parts Of a traveller so fashion
ably attired when with quick decision
the knight rode up to the door and
knocked upon it loudly. Little Abigail
Haggott, who waited below, answered
the summons.
(Which road to Cragenstone% he
asked.
"a feeling like the sharp prod of a
knife went to my heart knew at
once that such man as that-evl-
IDENTIFY q French nobleman or cOurtier-
sought not the village Of Cragenstone
unless he were in quest of thy cousin
Margaret. Not one Of the plain people
that bide about here, fOrsooth, was the
magnet that was drawing that man so
toilsomely up our rough hills. So
listened to their further converse with
bated breath, Abigail, almost stunned
with the shock and fear Of her moth
sr's death and surprised at the sudden
appearance Of suchsa man at the door,
in her confusion and nervous fear in
structed him to keep right on"
(Which road?' almost shrieked
Josiah. >
1.-THE rocky, billy, torturous ascent,
with deep ravines, Astounding In tur-
bulent streams and containing precl-
pices sharp and sudden, wherewith TO
menace and endanger lives Of unwary
strangers-that road he took-the one
that doth lead to SterndOrf," she an
nounced, with grim calmness that did
not conceal the note Of triumph in her
voice.
"At first when / did hear the timid
Abigail give the wrong direction and
saw the men ride gayly forward me-
thought to call them back, for may
hap
can thou hadst," Josiah interrupted
harshly, his face blanched with excite
ment, 81 had ne'er forgiven thee!
Twas q good hour when the maid met
him at the door and missent the world
ly gallant"
For moment he stood there deep
in thought; then he added: "In truth
tits a lonely Rad, and much doubt
: that they will meet traveller to give
them other instruction. The Skollvent
stream is greatly swollen. In their
eagerness to reach what they think Is
Cragenstone they will make desperate
efforts to ford it, and, once over, de-
layed In Sterndorf by this storm, that
will raise the water to twice its height
he cried triumphantly, mo human be-
ing can return across that stream ID
less than seven days. Pray for con-
tinual, steady downpour of this rain,
good mother, and heaven give me skill
to make the most of my time! Once
her faithful promise given, Margaret is
mine! And every ambitious wooer that
cometh here after that may ride away
down the mountain to seek mate IN
other quarters!
He appeared greatly elated.
"But yestermorn, mother, was with
nv cousin for two hours. and me-
thought her manner was less high and
cold and that she did not regard me
with disfavor."
Josiah" his mother admonished him
with more than usual seriousness,