Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-08-03

departure and of Margarets speedy
discontinue, the cousins, the accuser
and accused, were face to face.
''wanton! witchl Thing of evilr'
he said ip a low, sneering voice. Hear
the truth rom the lips of one who
e'er SPEAKS truth! Thy lover, thy
beauteous, honorable, noble lover, who
did talk so bravely to win thy favors,
hath at the first sign of trouble run
away / the night"
"'Tis not truew Maragret cried, with
set face and cleaning eyes. 81 call
thee here before all listeners speaker
of untruths and do brand thee as a
liarw
"Ho, how Taunston turned and ad-
dressed the chief councillor, who had
come closer. with expressions OF trl-
umph In his voice and on his face.
"The witch liketh not the news we
bring her and refuseth to believe that
her courtly lover disappeared l. the
night-deserted her In her hour OF
need"
Mistress Maryland" Elder Williams
said sternly, what Josiah Taunston
saith Is true. La Fabienne went away
last night: no man knoweth whittier.
Fourfold too much time hath been
wasted in thy foolish parleying. Of
ficer, do thy duty"
The captain had not time to open
his mouth to give the order when
Margaret, springlng down the steps,
grasped the bride rein Of the chief
councillors horse,
"One moment, good sir. I ask for a
short reprieve while some one whom
I can trust doth go to the Sign Of the
Red Heart for Sir Godfrey. Those
who know him not, who understand
not his fine sense of honor, may think
that he hath taken alarm and deserted
me, but'-here she raised her eyes,
gazing passionately into his FACET
know better; know that he doth re-
main close at hand to rescue me or to
give me comfort"
She swayed slightly, and the cap
tain, touched with q feeling Of pity,
caught hold Of her arm to steady her.
"Is there no man here who can give
the damsel proper confirmation OF the
news we bring?" he asked gruff1y.
At that moment Margaret gave a
piercing shrek Of Joy, for CASTOR, with
bowed head and walking slowly, was
Just entering the gateway. All eyes
were turned I'm his direction, and there
was no sound from the people as he
approached and knelt humbly at Mar
garet's feet.
"Rise, Gaston," she cried in joyful
tones, "and give the message that thou
dost bring from thy master. Speak
loudly, so that all his wicked tongued
accusers may hear and know the
wrong that they have done him."
The fellow did not lift his head.
Speak, good CASTOR"
Fair mistress" he said in thick,
muffied tones, my lord left last
night"
The glow of color that had swept
over Margaret's face at Gaston's ap-
pearance faded away.
"Whither went hep
81 know not, mistress"
.'Rlse, stupid" she commanded, with
quick impatience, ''and speak the mes
sage that Sir Godfrey left for me.
What good reason for his going gave
he. and what tender words Of counsel
left he for me?
The fellow rose, but did not meet
her glance. He stood with bowed head,
shifting his feet nervously.
.Blockhead, wilt never speak" Mar
garet shook his arm angrily.
Good Mistress Mayland," the man
stammered, Il have but one word
for thee from my MASTER
"And that is?" she interrupted al
most wildly In her desperation.
Farewell"
Margaret fell back as IL she had re-
ceived blow in the face, and the
listening crowd closed in around
them, with gloating looks and taunting
words, wild with triumphant excite
ment. The captain laid his hand on
her arm determinedly, but she threw
him off and, clinging to CASTOR, be-
sought him to tel her more.
"Kind mistress" he said, last night
at about an hour after midnight, when
was sleeping heavily on pile OF
straw in the stable. L felt some one
touching me gently and, springlng up
In surprise, found my master bending
over me. AS attempted to speak he
put his hand over my mouth and
whispered these words:
"'Gaston, positive news hath reached
me that at the rising Of the sun ! and
Mistress Maryland are to be taken into
custody by the soldiers who arrived
here tonight and thrown into prison.
AS all the passes are strongly guarded
we cannot escape by
"At that instant the man sleeping
at my side wakened and raised on his
elbow. My master, hardly daring to
breathe, crouched lower In the shadow,
so that he was unperceived.
"'Much more would / say he
whispered, but cannot take the risk
Tell Mistress Maryland farewell and
"Just then another fellow stirred
and, rousing his companion, the men
exchanged words, listening. Breath
less we waited until the soldiers were
breathing regularly again. Then my
lord, giving my hand strong pressure
took the first safe chance and slipped
noiselessly through the doorway"
Swear what thou sayst Is the
truthv' Margaret cried, now standing
erect before him, deathlike pallor on
her countenance.
"By the sacred memory Of my moth
er's love l swear itr CASTOR said
solemnly.
The proud head Of the mistress OF
the Maryland farm, its covering Of vel
low hair cleaning in the sunlight, fell
forward on her breast The captain to
hide his emotion gave loud order
and the soldiers, with noise of clankina
swords, closed In around her.
Margaret looked about her In dazed
manner.
There is no need Of force" she said
duly. 81 will go with thee"
The noise from the clamorlng, shout
ing mass of people was almost deafen-
ing as the officer, leading Margaret
bareheaded and the long skirts Of her
riding habit trailing after her on the
ground, started toward the roadway.
ITO the jail! To the jailw they cried
frantically.
"The witch doth hang her head In
shame of her evil deeds" said one wo
man, running along with child In her
arms.
"Nay." cried another "'Tis with sor.