Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-09

but this morning woke from my fltfu
sleeping with terror in my heart and
dreadful fear that these villagers, lie,
by thy cousin, would seek to wreal
their hatred and intolerant vengeance
on thee"
Margaret patted the older woman
shoulder reassuring!y.
'"Thou'rt overworked, Elsbeth, ant
hath the megrims as a consequence,
she said. "Why talk Of fear when W,
have a strong protector so close a
hand? Hast thou yet to learn, foolish
old woman, that Sir Godfrey Is maj
to put dependence on? Last night wher
he left me he said, Trust me, Marga
ret,' and he needed not mine assurance
to know that / did so with all my
heart"
Elsbeth walked to the window, look
ing out anxiously toward the village.
The hour of dawn is full upon u.s.
she said solemnly, "an' neither thy low
er nor his servant is approaching Hap
pen he meant the morrow, sweet?"
Margaret frowned impatiently.
Godfrey said this morning at day.
break, and he did not mean any other
time" she said GROSSLY. mark me, a
La Fabienne would ne'er break his
word to any one, much less to the wo.
man he loves See, Elsbeth," she cried
moment later, "the sun Is only just
above the mountain tops. IT'S but now
the break of day! They'll come anon"
The women moved about, completing
their arrangements with nervous haste,
from time to time pausing in their la
bors to listen for sounds of approach
ing horses feet Suddenly Elsbeth
clutched her companions arm.
"Histw she whispered. What
strange sounds fall on mine ears!
Dost not hear voices loud calling an
| the tramp Of many feet?"
Both fastened to an aperture in the
hallway that commanded a better view
Of the road and gates. For moment
they looked on with beating hearts;
then Margaret, uttering groan, cow
cred against the wall, covering up her
face with her hands.
"Oh, Gods pity! If Godfrey hath
met my cousin Josiah and in his just
anger hath killed him!'' she moaned
The other stood looking out Of the
window hopelessly.
"Elsbeth, say that thou doth see my
Godfrey riding this way unmolestedw
Margaret, cried tearfuily.
II see thy cousin Josiah, an me-
thinks tits the old elder who is the
Judge or superior in the council on
horseback advancing toward this
house," Elsbeth announced duly, "an'
party of soldiery surrounded by a
throng Of excited people do follow
them. They are turning in this gate
way, Margaret" the woman fairly
shrieked as she turned and threw her
arms about her young mistress. Hide,
sweet; mayhap it's thee they want.
Bolt the doors an bar the windows!
Refuse them admittancev'
Margaret's face was white and star
tied.
"Elsbeth, calm thyself. Cease thy
maunderings," she answered sternly.
II hide! Margaret Maryland hide her
face as though she had done wrong!
Shame on thee, Elsbeth! Rather bid
me throw open wide the door,"
Margaret, sweet babe Margaret y
the old woman cried, almost beside
herself with fear and apprehension,
'then take off the cross thou wearest
that doth anger them"
At these words Margaret raised her
head haughtily and drew away from
the woman, but Elsbeth chung to her
wildly.
Remember that I have loved thee
so that thou hast ne'er missed thy
motherv' she cried. Thou hast told
me So sweet, many times when twas
thy mood to be tender. Margaret, for
the care have given thee demand a
return. Take off the cross that doth
anger themw
The noises outside came nearer,
growing louder. Margaret stopped and
kissed the sobbing woman on the fore
head.
"And have I not loved thee, too, Els
beth?' she asked as she pushed her
gently from her.
Heavy tramping on the steps was
heard, then a loud rapping on the door.
Margaret's eyes cleaned strangely.
go, Elsbeth, throw open wide the
door," she said. IBID our visitors en-
ter"
"Nay, nay, Margaret, I cannot go!'
Elsbeth crouched down in the corner
on chair, trembling as with fit of
ague.
"Oper, in the kings name" 1t was
mans voice shouting. Then he knock
ed again louder, this time with his
sword hilt Scarce had he ceased
when the door was swung back on it's
hinges, and young woman, more
beautiful than he had ever seen before,
with long skirts Of red cloth trailing
about her and the rose tinted rays of
the early morning sun falling on her
yellow hair and showing the dazzling
wilderness Of her skin, stood before
him on the threshold and gazed at him,