Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-06-28

citedly, rising and confronting him, "or
else it would be so stated in his docu-
ments. In them 1t is most clearly writ
that only at my death, should die
without issue, art thou successor here!'
Calm myself, good cousin. The
thought Is new to thee, and therefore
thou'rt disturbed 10 me-" he added in
Il low voice, this thought hath been
food and drink since thy father-I
mean," hastily correcting himself
Since first saw thee"
lie rose and came to her.
Take time to think on the words l
ha' just spoken. Pray for guidance to
see the wisdom of accepting the love
and protection of true hearted, right
eous and God fearing man, Margaret,
an thrust not aside carelessly the offer
of marriage he now makes to thee"
She lifted her head hastily as If to
speak, but Josiah stopped her with n
stern, peremptory motion of his hand.
Nay, cousin, answer not now. Such
grave consideration rs is now before
thee takes time to think on. I'll speak
with thee on the subject again when
thou hath let the thought of Inc in the
position Of thy husband dwell longer in
thy heart. God guide thee to right de-
cision. Fare thee we'll, Margaret May
land"
She courtesied stitlly, and he, after in
Ginning his head, strobe through the
open doorway and, mounting his horse,
rode toward the village.
AT the sound of the closing of the
door Margaret ran to the window and
threw open the lattice, eXclaiming with
Il shiver "'Tis damp and musty in this
room. or else tbs my Cousins PROPOSE
ton that hath chilled me. I'll let the
sunshine in, and Giles can put some
logs to burn in the chimney place.
Prthee. the room must be warm and
cheerful for Godfrey, who" she wills
pered happily, NOW that the storm is
broken, will come ere nightfall"
For a time she looked out of doors,
humming gay tune lightly, then, leav-
ing the room, ran up the stairs and,
| bursting into the chamber where Els
beth was sitting mending linen, stood
before her with flushed face and spar
king eyes.
"What frock shall l wear for God.
frey, ElsbethY'
"Sir Godfrey hath Gomez" The wo
man laid down her work and looked al
Margaret in surprise, who answered
petulantly: Nay, dullard. How could
he travel in such awful storms o'ei
mountain roads he knows notY'
She drew piece of paper from hei
bosom, reading slowly, "'Tuesday !
shall reach the inn ut Haclivon, lay
there one night and wilt be with thee
on the morrow, Wednesday,
She raised the paper to her lips.
''Thus reads his missive, Elsbeth
Thoult remember that the storm rose
wild Wednesday, now six days gone
by. An SO, all, me-" she sighed dismal
ly, poor Godfrey hath been imprison
ed all these dreary hours in that fou
tavern, the Puritan, where we were
forced to rest when we journeyed hith
err" For n moment she was silent
But the storm hath broken and Sc
him free!" she cried triumphantly, lift
ing her radiant face to the sunlight
"And now. promise thee, he ridetl
fast to Cragenstone!'
Suddenly she grew more serious and
seating herself on n little stool Mt Els
beth's feet, rested her elbows on the
woman's lap above the mending, GOV
cred her face with her hands and ap
peared to be in deep thought.
"What tlinkest thou, Elsbeth, of my
cousin Josiah:" she asked after time
"He hath the appearance of an up
right man and godly," the other replied