Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-27
CHAPTER XIII.

WN HE next morning the sun rose
81 red and hot above the hills.
Not breath of air stirred, and
a close sultriness peryaded the
atmosphere Laborers going to their
work mopped their brows and looked
anxiously at the clear, deep blue arch
Of the heavens for glimpse Of cloud
that might perchance grow larger as
the day advanced and spread itself be-
fore the burning sun, but above the
horizon not speck Of white could the
eye discover,
Josiah Taunston, his homespun shirt
OF linen thrown open at the neck and
his broad brinlmed hat pulled down
over his eyes, came through the woods
Will. quick strides, his feet crunching
down the dry twigs with a cracking
sound as he walked. A young robin,
having injured its wing in falling out
Of the nest, huttered and chirped in his
path, and the mother bird, frantic, call
ed sharp, shrill instructions from a
tree, near by. With an imprecation Jo-
siah kicked the MANNED bird out of his
path, killing 1t, and strobe on without
even backward look. Nor did he ap-
pear to see the mother bird, who in
her pain and anguish swooped up and
down wildly in all directions, or to hear
her shrieks Of agonizing sorrow.
Matters Of Importance having taken
up his time, 1t was late in the day, al
most at the hour of noon, when Taun-
ston, homeward bound, reached the
spring brook that ran by the door Of
old Adam Browdie, the goldsmith. Re
moving his hat and wiping the beads of
Precipitation from his heated face, he
knelt upon the bank and, making a re-
ceptacle Of the hollow of his hand, pro-
ceeded to quench his thirst The gold
smith, having observed him from the
window, fastened toward him with a
pewter mug.
Good morrow. Master Taunston.
Happen thoult not get enough in thy
hand" he said. "Hot days make dry
throats"
THANK thee, Adam"
Taking the mug, Josiah filed It and
raised it to his lips, draining the last
drop.
II had tankard Of ale at the tavern
but that papist of Frenchman. who
doth inrude himself here a-dang1ine
after my cousin, Margaret Maryland
with an eye, trow, to the possession
of her estate, lounged about the rooms
with such an air Of insolent effrontery
walked past me once or twice SO close
he fairly trod upon my toes, acting
forsooth, as If he desired me to take
open offense at his bad manners
clanked his sword and appeared SO
anxious for all to admire his suit OF
gaudy fnery that was Almost vomit
ed with disgust, and man, l could
scarce get breath until I had put q
distance between u.s."
The goldsmith, evidently busy, hat
resumed his seat on his bench an6
was followed closely by Taunston, who
now on the subject Of his favorite
grievance was not inclined to go OF
his way until he had unbosomed him
self to his neighbor; so, taking {
lounging position in the doorway, h,
prepared to go on with a recital O
his wrongs when suddenly he made :,
sharp exclamation, his glance having
fallen on a finely wrought chain Of golt
from which was suspended small
cross that was being forged togethe
by the skillful hands Of the goldsmith
Adam raised his eyes to his visitor
face. In surprise. Hath pain, Josiah :?
NAY" he answered sternly. 'bu
snopI5sh FOR thee Adam, that tbou I,
thine ignorance hath been induced t
handle cbarm Of evil magic such g
thop. ka)agt III thy lands. ------