Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-21

one naught now could separate U.S."
Simon, putting his disengaged hand
under her chin, lifted her face to his.
God knows like thee, Hetty," he
said soberly, "an' thy words, hard or
tender so glad am to hear them, fall
on my heart gently, like the rain on
the newly sown seed"
Matters having grown too serious for
the tritling little maid, she drew away
hastily, exclaiming, with n light laugh:
THY farmyard comparisons again, ST.
mon! Now, forsooth, my words are
like rain falling on thy crops"
Z 1t was several hours later when Mis-
tress Taunston ON horseback, seated on
pillion behind her son, rode into the
farmyard. The storm had continued
to grow heavier, and the rain was now
falling in torrents. Despite the heavy
cloaks they Wore, the riders We're
drenched to the skin as Il man, one of
the farm hands, rubbing his eyes as If
just reused from sleeping, opened the
barn door for them to enter.
Light the candle, Jacob, and l will
hold it while thy master doth put up
his horse" Mrs. Taunston ordered from
her high position. "There, that is well.
Now help me to alight."
When on the ground she lifted the
light and, following Josiah, who was
Leading the horse to its stall, paused a
moment to dismiss the man.
'"Thou canst go now, Jacob, to thy
bed. l would have word in private
with thy master"
Taunston paused in the act of lifting
measure of oats to regard his mother
with surprise, thinking something of
unusual Importance must have happen
ed that she made SO much ado about it.
In her storm beaten, mud besmirch-
cd garments, holding the flaming cam
die above her head, she approached
nearer, saying, "As brother Camett
rode with us, Josiah, had no chance
to speak with thee"
He nodded q rough assent, and she,
lowering her voice to whisper, said,
"AIy son, we spoke the other night of
certain rumors current that thy cousin
Margaret had left 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 i'll 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 will, such
unpleasant gossip? Margaret is SO
young, her aunt so strict, I much mis-
doubt me that she e'er hath had much
converse with men, much less already n
lover plighted and betrothed. Let's to
the house. 'Tis 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
a blaze"
He moved impatiently toward the
doorway, but his mother Sprang before
him, laying strong OBTAINING hand on
his arm.
Hist! Hetty waits within and must
not hear" she said in an impressive
voice. Josiah, metlinks / saw yolr
cousin Margaret's lover ride by good
Brother Haggott's door late this after
noon"
"Ha" 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 a
hanging loft of hay, with the splutter-
ing candle throwing out faint, uncer-
tain strealSs of light, presented weird
picture. Suddenly the horse whinnied.
Both started.
"Thrce hours after noon l 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 l was still busying
myself about the chamber of the dead,
l heard sounds of horses feet and the
voices of men. Looking through the
lattice, espied cavalier richly dress
ed and mounted, followed by a 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 was still gazing from
behind my" place of concealment with
wonder at the unusual appearance in
these parts of 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 CragenstoneY he
asked.
"a feeling like the sharp prod of {
knife went to my heart. l knew a
once that such man as that-evi
IDENTIFY French nobleman or courtier-
sought not the village of Cragenstont
unless he We're in quest of thy cousin
Margaret. Not one of the plain peopl,
that bide about here, forsootf, was til,
magnet that was drawing that man ST
toilsomely up our rough hills. So
listened to their further converse Will
batcd breath. Abigail, almost stunned
with the shock and fear of her moth
ers death and surprised at the suddel
appearance OF such man at the door
in her confusion and nervous fear In
structed him to keep right on"
(Which road?" almost shriekeG
Josiah.
1.-THE rocky, hilly, torturous ascent
with deep ravines, Astounding in tur
bulent streams and containing preci
pices sharp and sudden, wherewith tt
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 die
not conceal the note of triumph in he
voice.
"At first when l did hear the timit
Abigail give the wrong direction ant
l saw the men ride gayly forward me
thought to call them back, for may
hap
"An thou hadst," Josiah interrupted
harshly, his face blanchcd with excite
ment, 81 had ne'er forgiven thee
Twas good hour when the maid me
him ut the door and missent the world