Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-16

yonder by the sundial, near the path
that leads through the pasture from
the Taunston farm, when one of the
village women, walking through, came
upon me. For a few seconds she stood
still and stared me. then. throwing up
her arms, ran from Inc. crying wildly:
Gods protection. It's the witch. / ha'
looked into her eyes! | will be stricken
of the devil.' Godfrey. tell me what 1t
all doth mean.''
Her lovers face reelected the serious
ness Of her own.
"Sweet, this foolish nonsense hath
gone to greater measures than had
ever thought it would" lie said. THY
cousins influence il strong in this, com
munity and the superstitions Of the
people SO great that 1t takes but little
tattling to make great stories anl to
have them all believed. 1t is that foai
fiend Josiah Taunston's scheme to re
all against thee, so that thou wilt be
forced to abandon thine estate. Then
when thou art gone, as next of kin. he
would ride in and take possession"
Sir Godfrey's face grew dark.
"The bastard keeps out of my way,
or from the very bitterness l hold in
my heart against him l would long
since have run him through" he said.
But l will deal with him before
leave, for l have sworn that no man
may speak evil of thee and live'
Godfrey" Margaret's eyes were
filed with sudden terror, promise me
that thou'lt not anger him, for any
fitting of words between We, so hot is
each against the other, that conflict
would ensue that might end in-death.
Smile"-she swept her hand with af-
fected gayety over his frownIng coun-
tenance-"chase that angry look from
off thy face, and now under this bright
moon with the breeze stirring SO soft
ly, think only that thou art with me
and that tonight is ours"
He drew her closer to him, and they
paced slowly up and down under the
shadows of the trees.
Margaret, methinks to journey forth
to London In three days. Canst be
ready to go with me, sweet?'
AT the unexpected announcement a
deep flush spread over Margarct's coun-
tenance, extending to the roots of her
hair.
Ready to go with thee, Godfrey?"
she repeated questioningly.
faye, love, rs my wife," he replied
in voice touched with emotion, "as
my adored, deeply cherished wife
that Is how will take thee, sweetw
For answer she raised .her face to
his, and they kissed each other.
Il will go with thee, Godfrey" she
said simply.
The moon rose higher i'll the heavens
and seemed to shed a brighter luster
on the scene as, pacing slowly up and
down, the mistress Of the Maryland
farm and her lover, talking in low
voices, made their plans and arranged
for their departure. AS there were
no servants about the place, Elsbeth
taking care Of the house and Castor
doing the work among the animals,
there was no chance of their intended
departure being known. 1t was La
Fabienne's idea to rise before the sun
and, with Elsbeth and Margaret, ride
down the mountain, leaving the estate
In charge Of trusty CASTOR. BY fast
riding they could reach London be-
fore the dawn Of another day and
would go at once to the house Of La
Fabienne's sister, the Lady Grenville,
where they would be married and then
proceed to Paris.
Margaret saying, with little SILVER,
that she would never care to visit