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

GOODWIN uau changed human beings
into animals, called up the resting
spirits of the dead and put the curse Of
her black magic OH those who might
have innocently approached her. But,
prithee, good Margaret, look not so
dOwncast Mt the outcome of my tale,
for witchcraft among our mountain
people hath ever been thought the
blacklist of crimes, no punishment or
torture being considered too great to
suffer in eNpiution. TITS thing with
which we have 10 tolerance, cousin,
for of all evil happenings in the world,
Of a truth, it is the most vicious and
malignant"
Margaret shuddered and turned
away.
"Methinks thou couldst have chosen
n cheerful subject, Hetty, wherewith to
While away the hours of n gloomy
morning" she said reproachfully.
Rising from the couch, she walked
to the window and, throwing open the
lattice, looked out of doors.
"Ah, happy day." she exclaimed.
Sunshine ut last! See yonder cloud,
cousin. Bright rays are breaking
through it. Old Giles was right this
morning when lie said that the fierce
wind had shifted and now lay in the
western quarter, promising that we
would see the sun before night. Re-
joice with me, sweet Hetty."
For a time in silence they watched
the beauty of the golden tinted clouds
breaking apart and drifting about I'M
der the blue sky; then Margaret, whose
face expressed great happiness and
who seemed unable to contain her high
spirits, said: "Art not aweary Of the
close, damp air of the house? Come,
let us walk on the old stone wall by
the pasture, for the ground is much too
water soaked, and witness for our
| selves what havoc the storm hath
played"
Hastily procuring n light cape, she
threw it over the muslin house dress
she wore, and, Hetty following, the
girls, refusing to listen to the protests
Of Elsbeth, who met them on the stairs
against going out of doors on such q
morning, stepped out Oh to the ground,
picked their way daintily-with much
| light laughter-over the wet paths,
climbed the wall and, holding hands,
ran gayly with the light heartedness of
school children set free after long con,
| finement along the top of the broad
stone wall.
up faith, tits worth a pound to get
out into the open and breathe fresh
air again" Margaret exclaimed, heI
blue eyes sparkling and her cheeks
| aglow.
The ribbon that bound her hair came
loose, and in very abandonment of
youth and health she threw it away,
freeing her heavy masses Of hair to the
embraces Of the wind, which caught it
up tenderly, allowing the sun to kiss
1t with its sparkling rays, gently toss
ed 1t about her head; then, as If catch
ing the gay mood of its owner, it grew
more playful and roughly swept the
tresses before Margaret's eyes, SO that
she almost stumbled as she ran. A
large oak branch hung low over the
wall. With cry of pleasure Margaret
caught hold of it and, lifting her feet,
swung out into the air and back to the
wall again, laughing joyfully at her
| achievement rs she ran on to the end
of the wall.
"Margaret!' Hetty exclaimed, run
| ming after her cousin, rather breathless
ut the whole proceeding. what merry
spirit of mischief doth possess thee?"
Take my hand, sweet cousin, and
run some Of the Puritan stiffness GU,
of thee" Margaret replied with flush.
ed face and smiling lips. "AIy blood is
coursins through my veins and my
heart beats gayly today because the
roads are drying up that lead from
London to this village. Look not SC
bewildered, sweet. Thou'lt know
anon why thy cousin welcomes wind
and sun. See, the clouds are scatter
ing and drifting far away! Come, Het
ty. once more!" And, taking her Cousins
hand, they ran together to the end OF
the wall
"Im out O breath, but back again
I'll wager I'll get there before thee
slow Hetty."
She paused moment, looking to.
ward the house.
what man is that demanding admit.
tance" she asked. "Methlnks lie looks
on us with disapproval."
"Thou knowest well it's JOSIAH" fal.
tered Hetty. "Dost think he saw lis
running, cousin?"
AYE, even SO an he did. What careth
thou or ~ Margaret replied indiffer-
emily as she proceeded calmly toward
the house along the top of the wall, fol
lowed by Hetty, now white faced and
greatly abashed.
1--WE will go to meet him, Hetty, and
give him greeting"
Josiah Tuunston busted himself with
tying his horse to Il tree until his cous-
In and sister approached, then, stand
Ing erect, regarded them coldly, with
an unsmiling expression in his small
gray eyes.
II give thee good day, Cousin JOSIAH"
Margaret said quietly. "How can l
serve thee? Wilt enter:"
She threw open the door,
"Thank thee, Cousin Margaret" he
replied i'll hard, rasping voice. Il but
rode up with Il message for my sister"
Until then lie had ignored Hctty, but
now turned upon her suddenly with
great sternness in his manner.
But before | deliver it, Hetty, |
would like to ask thee il in thy recent
conduct on yonder wall thou bethought
thee that the servants We're taking no.
tice, also ncighbors who might be pass
ing by?'
Margaret, tossing her hair back with
her hand, disdained to answer, and
Hetty, much crestfallen, replied hasti-
ly: ""Twas but the pleasure of an idle
moment, Josiah. What message sent
my mother!'
"She thinks, as do, that thou hast
been here long enough" he said signifi.
cantly. ''1'hy mother hath need of
thee"
"I'll go at once, brother" she answer.
ed In nervous haste.
ut is WELL Margaret" turning again
to her. 81 would have converse with
thee an thou hast this hour idle"