Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-11-03

strength, ! nave Stlli cOuIuSS W po"i
the heaviest ills of life, such as separa-
ton, poor health, grim poverty, / truth,
starvation; but admit that such agony
as the knowledge Of harm to Godfrey
would be q grief such as would Kill
me-"
"Fie. fie on such grim thoughts!
Cheer thee, Margaret" urged her COM
pani0n.
For aemOment the girl struggled with
herself, then forcing a smile through
the tears said more cheerfully, "The
blue frock, Elsbeth, and my lace ber-
tina. Who doth dare say that thou and
I have lost hope of brave Godfrey"
An hour later, just as the waning sun
light was lowering over the pine COW
cred peaks of Cragenstone now dis
tinctly defined against the rose tinted
horizon. the young mistress Of the May
land farm, wearing blue evening
gown made in the French fashion, with
the bodice cut low, surmounted by q
lace bertha, her fair neck and arms
bare and ruffied skirts made full and
sweeping, walked out Of the house and
standing before the door looked down
the roadway pensively with an air OF
indecision.
The soft breeze stirred the leaves OF
the foliage and the monotonous call OF
the whippoorwill could be heard over
the trees Of the forest, but no other
sounds, such as the, galloping OF horses
feet. fell on the ears of the waiting
lonely woman.
"Mayhap, an thou'lt walk a little
down the road behind the hill, thouH
meet Sir Godfrey" Elsbeth called from
the window.
Margaret turned to her sadly.
"Elsbeth, an Godfrey comes not to-
night / shall know that he Is lying
helpless, Ill; hath met foul play-or-
or is dead Tomorrow an he Is not
here I'll rouse the village, send mes
sengers scurrying in all directions, for,
prithee," with little sob, IF the truth
is what | suspect, l had better die OF
that at once than linger with this sur
fering, this slow suspense that Is kill
ing me-"
'What foolish megrims! Nay, cheer
thee, Margaret" Elsbeth cried In pro-
test at the dark views Of her mistress.
81 do protest Sir Godfrey's not the man
to be outdone by any villainy. And
who hereabout would be his enemy?
He'll come anon"
$50 thou hast said before" Margaret
replied, turning away listlessly, IAN
meanest well, for thou dost love me.
While vet it is day I'll stroll through
the woody forest path to the village.
Some new arrival at the inn perchance
hath brought some news. I'll go. good
Elsbeth."
At about this time Josiah Taunston,
with his broad brimmed hat pulled
well down over his closely cropped nalr,
wearing his church going suit OF black
cloth and finely knit gray wooden
stockings, came through the forest to-
ward the Maryland farmhouse to make
an evening call ON it's fair mistress.
Unusual pallor shone on his stern coun-
tenance, and his eyes, cold and steely,
looked almost wicked, so full were they
of an expression of determination. Sud
denly the sound Of light fOOtstep fell
ON his ears and, raising his head, he
discerned through the foliage a glim-
mer of blue that caused him to draw
his breath hard and his heart to stand
still.
Not seeing the approaching form on
account Of turn in the path, Margaret
advanced. her head, crowned by the
wealth of hair wound high above 1t,
held proudly, holding her long skirts
well off the ground to avoid the briers
In her way, disclosing as she walked
the big buckles and red heels Of her
little black shoes.
81 give thee good even, cousin" The
voice was sudden and loud.
Margaret gave wild shrek. Her
heart and soul eager for the presence
Of her lover, every nerve strained with
listening and waiting for him, expect
ing him at every angle Of the road, she
was startled almost beyond hope OF
composure at this sudden voice. With
her hands over her heart, painting, she
fell against tree and rested there.
81 wot frightened thee" he said,
watching her furtively out Of his small
gray eyes.
"What meanest thou" she cried an
grily when she had recovered slightly,
s'that thou contest like great panther
stealing through the forest? COuldst
not give body warning?
"'Tis my fashion ever to walk easily,
Margaret Maryland" he observed, "but
T. truth / had no wish to brighten thee.
Rather would l do that which would
draw thee nearer to me so that thou
would heed my counsel and listen to
words that others far older and wiser
than thou have given ear to and"-
Margaret, seeing that her cousin was
inclined to be oratorical and having NO
desire to remain in the forest listening
to words of censure and reproach that
were distasteful to her, with quick
motion stood erect before him, inter
rupting his harangue by saying in a
quick, peremptory manner, II have an
errand in the village, Josiah, and would
be on my way"
He stood in her pathway immovable
Margaret, hear me. do but coun
sci thee for thy good"
"Why should heed thy counsel
prithee, and give ear to thee? BY what
right do thou admonish me-? Am l not
mine own mistress" she asked dis
painfully.
ut is not part Of my plan to anger
thee Margaret else | would tell thee