Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-05
and sparkied iii the sunlight

rode OH unheeding with bowed figure
and dropping head
Elsbeth, who for an hour past had
been peering anxiously out of win
dow that overlooked the roadway, spy
ing her young charge at the gates,
threw open the door at her approach
with great show of cheerful activity.
Enter, pretty, an rest myself" she
cried as Margaret alighted from the
horse and threw the reins to old Giles.
Then, lifting her eyes in mute de-
spair to Elsbeth's face, Margaret came
toward the house.
"Thy tea is brewed, and the hot
cakes that thou likest are covered,
keeping warm for thee on the hearth
stone" Elsbeth announced.
Margaret entered languidly, carry
Ing her jeweled riding whip, her heavy
skirts trailing after her as she came.
Il care not to eat" she said sadly.
Then, as if unable to conceal her dis
appointment or to contain her suffer-
ing, she cried out brokenly: "Elsbeth,
another day most gone and Godfrey
hath not come. An wander where
will can get no word of him. Mine
eyes are strained with looking down
the road that leads from London, and
my heart aches near to bursting with
loneliness and apprehension. Three
weeks last Sunday since received his
missive."
Her riding whip fell to the floor with
n thud as she sank into a chair, cover
ing up her white face with her hands,
"Elsbeth," she said at last to the
woman who stood before her in dumb
sympathy, "hast ever thought that Cod
frey, reckless in his haste to see me,
did attempt to ride up the mountain
in that fearful storm and-Gpd's pity
on me!-was lost?"
"Tut, tut, sweetheart" Elsbeth's
voice was gay and full of courage 10 re-
assure her. "Sir Godfrey's but detain-
ed in Lunnon. Thou must keep in
mind what great lord he is and that
| mayhap his business there is of vast
Importance. Ills often, warrant thee
that mans heart is in one place and
perforce his body in another. IIa' done
grieving, Margaret, and eat little SUP
to strengthen thee. He'll come anon"
Her young mistress did not move OF
raise her head.
every night since the storm broke,
she lamentcd, II have Worn my finest
gowns to welcome Godfrey-at first
with happy heart full of bright hope
then, after succeeding days Of bitter
disappointment, with less hope ant
some misgiving. But tonight''-she
drew sharp breath and put her HAND
over her hearth go to dress sicl
with terror and broken hearted Will
despair. Elsbeth," she cried, THROWN:
up her head with Il little tragic ges
ture, Il tell thee Godfrey is i'll or dead
for SO perfect is my knowledge Of hi.
unselfish love for me that know, .ua
less fever did render him delirious o.
death had stilled his tongue, he would
not leave me pining here alone, suffer
ing this frightful apprehension
Weeping silently, she prepared to g,
up the stairs.
Elsbeth was Mt her side in moment
"rut, tut, my bonny maid! Let no
such fearsome thought beset thee" sh,
urged earnestly. "Take heart, Mar
garet. l promise tlee-thine old Els
beth who loves thee doth promis,
thee-that ere the sun goeth down OF
another day thy lover IL hold thee il
his arms"
Margaret smiled sadly. can could
believe thine oft repeated promises
good Elsbeth, my heart would not now
have lost its lightness"
At the top Of the staircase she paus
ed.
ooh, Elsbeth, tits easy for thee to b.
brave when tits not thy Godfrey VIII,
doth not comew she said. "But could
thou really know what tits to wal
YEARLY night after night for the maj
who hast thine whole heart thou would
pity me-"
II ha' ever advised thee, Margaret
the elder woman said, putting her arm
about the girl comfortingly, mot t
fasten too much affection on any man
else he prove not worthy of it and til.
joy be turned to SORROW"
Margaret raised her eyes, filled witt
deep reproach, to Elsbeth's face.
Such true love as doth exist be
tween Godfrey and me-" she said so
berly; "such faith, such trust, thou witt
thine evil suspicious and grim fore
bodings could have no thought Oh
What llnoweth thou of men and lovers
Elsbeth, that thou art always pratin
of their imperfections? 'Twere no
kind Of thee to tease me with til,
maudlin talk when'-thc tears in he
eyes overlooked on her cheeks-"I an
so beset on every side.'
"Beset! Margaret, tell me. Who trou
bles thee"
II have told thee of my cousil
Josiah's opportunities, Elsbeth," sh
answered. Thou knowest that hi
cold, persistent wooing doth fret me
and lately his advances have been S
open and determined that, T. truth,
have fear of him."
She drew q sharp, shuddering breath
"Elsbcth, the sight Of my cousi
strikes chill to my heart 1 know
that he is an upright man and godly
but he tells me SO plainly of his fir
determination to win me at all ha7
ards; there Is something so cruel il
his eyes and so relentless in his bear
ing, that he sets me all a-tremble. A
night have evil dreams of him, an
my waking hours are filled with La
presentimcnts. Oh, Elsbeth" sh
burst out crying bitterly-"pray God t
send me Godfreyw
"I4lere, there! Take off this ridin
dress that hangs so heavily abou
thce"-Elsbeth stroked the bowed hea
gently-"and don thine azure musll
that Sir Godfrey loved to see the
wear. Dost remember, sweet, on
night in Paris when was brushin
thy hair that thou told me that til
lover said thou vert like dainty flow
err In that frock-a blue forgetmenot
And the next day he sent thee bunc
Of the sweet fowers?'
"Ah, remind me not Of those happ
days" she replied tearfully. "Al
lackaday, that 1 ever left mine aur
in PariSw