Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-05-18
CHAPTER XVII.


CHAPTER XVII.
%TH next day and the next were
eventful ones in the history of
III the quiet little village of Crag-
enstone. People stopped in the
midst of their busy preparations for
the witnessing of the awful event nov
drawing so near to walk to the prison
to see the great new lock hanging
from an iron band across the door and
to gaze with wonder and curiosity at
the tall, lame man who strobe up and
down before the building that con-
fined Margaret Maryland. muttering
savagely and uttering curses under
his breath. Small boys and idlers
hung about him, following him With
er he went, and on the last day watch
ed with pale, awe stricken faces the
planting of the stake. the piling Of the
fagots at the foot and all the grew
some prepare tons for the consuming
| by fire Of the condemned woman.
! At last all was in readiness, and the
darkness Of the night that came be-
fore the day set for the execution set
|
tain. The village folk. with the idea
Of rising promptly at the first appear
ance Of the sun, so that they and their
children might be dressed and on the
scene at the first possible moment, had
gone to rest early, so that at o'clock
not a light cleaned from the windows
of a single house or cabin, not way
farer seemed to- be on the roadways,
and there was an intense stiffness on
s the mountain.
At the Jail old Matthew Allen lay
stretched on wooden bench just In
side the huge door, sleeping heavily.
although supposed to be awake, alert,
on guard, and his prisoner. alone In
her narrow cell, her dress Of black
clinging in somber folds about her
slender figure, knelt on the hard floor
beside her pallet, her head bowed in
her hands The glimmer from can
, die on a stand near at hand fell on
her bright hnir and bowed head, show
, ing her attitude to be one Of hopeless
, resignation as she knelt there immov
: able, to all appearances unconscious.
:. Soon the sharp noise OF the opening
: and shutting Of the great door rani
:. through the quiet prison and the heavy
= batting footsteps of Ezekial Mason wer'
: heard rs he came down the corridor
making his last round to see that al
was safe Reaching Nargaret's cell
:. he paused, and as the rasping sound Q
key being turned in the rusty loci
. of the iron door of her cell fell on he
- ears the prisoner instinctively bowe
- her head lower. Then the door wa
thrown back on its hinges, and for
few seconds there was no sound.
=. Margaret Maryland"
~ She did not raise her head.
:. SIS it the tir!e?" she asked dull.
-. - Hast mine hour Gomez"
- Margaret"
- :, She moved, appeared to listen, the
~ lifted her face and looked about b
- wildly. but saw only the stern jaile
~ Ezekial Mason.
~ -, who Knocks me?" she cried pitiou
ly. "Whe initiates his voice?"
The man stepped over the thresho
~ and with a quick motion removed /
- slouched hat, turned down his bro;
N coat collar and, supporting the trel
-, bling woman to her feet, said wi
=, deep emotion:
-, Margaret, oh, my lover
~, Godfrey"
~ She wornd her arms about his nee
~ clinging to him wildly.
ne "And is 1t thou? In my dazed sta
ID methought twas the cruel jailt
-, Thank God, see thee once more
- fore 1 die! Oh. God be praised til
- thou still doth love me! Godfrey, X
- me and then 60, for they will sure
take thee"
Tears were shining in his eyes.
- kiss thee! Aye, will kiss thee"
a. replied. But not so fast, sweet 10
In bidding me begone, for when l
lai thou goeth with me-"
I'D She raised bewildered, brighter
XII eyes to his.
Try ALREADY Elsbeth and our trusty G
lex ton, disguised as Puritans. mounted
OF holding two horses under cover of
ons trees are waiting for us at the ere
the roads. AS Ezekial Mason l have
all password that will let us through
'ert guard, and as Godfrey La Fabienn
or he said triumphantly, Il will carry
sweet Margaret safely through the e
an my's lines!'
re- He laughed low, jubilant laugh,
Inn lightedly pressing her to his heart
1rst but the old jailer, Matthew All
an Surely he will hear thee
ing NAY, sweet" he fastened to re
out sure her. "Give old Matthew not c.
pen! for n. notion slipped into bis wine