Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-13


lower riding slowly, the rein loose In
his hand and his head falling forward
on his breast in most detected man.
ner. La Fabienne laughed lightly.
"Parbleu, Castor; take courage" he
cried in gay tones. Surely after this
good news of Cragenstone so close at
hand our hearts are light and we can
ride perforce with better speed
"Aye," the man grumbled under his
breath, "'tis easy to have light heart
when thou dost carry full purse, also
the knowledge that at the end Of this
tedious mountain climbing thou hast
for a reward the embraces of thy mis-
tress. but with mans throat athirst,
having had naught but unwholesome
water since breakfast, and a stomach
grooming for bread and meat it's not so
easy"
Just then some raindrops falling were
swept into his face by the wind that
had risen with sudden fury.
"Rain, more discomfort" he exclalm
ed in great yexation. 'Methought
those low black clouds had look OF
evil portent BY the memory OF my
mother / do swear it," he continued
angrly, that not for sums OF gold,
not in obedience to the commands OF
twenty La Fabiennes, would | leave
Paris again to journey forth to any
mountain village in this accurst coun-
tryr'
Finding that his master was gaining
on him, CASTOR gave his horse the
spurs and so suddenly that the star
tied animal fairly leaped into the air,
then. running wildly, disappeared with
its rider over the top of sharp de-
cline.
At about this hour in Cragenstone,
when the heavy mist lay thick and
white over the meadows, and the houses
and trees were but indistinctly defined
in the cloudy atmosphere, young Simon
Kempster, his round face beamlng
with an expectant look of happiness,
came across a meadow near the Taun-
sion farmhouse. suddenly the sweet
notes of q wOman's voice caroling
gayly fell on his ears. Raising his
head. he listened, then with a quick
motion vaulted lightly over the stile
and almost over Mistress Hetty Taun-
ston. who at that instant passed in his
direction from behind clump of trees
with q pail of fresh milk In each hand.
"Thou stupid Simon!" she cried out,
greatly vexed. with thy awkward,
numbering ways thou'rt enough to
brighten one into fit! See, now, all
the good milk spilled upon the ground,
and three cows gone dry since yester-
morn! An look, my clean frock is all
bespattered All, lackaday, tits well
for me my mother Is from home, since
l would never hear the end O. her dis
pleasure!"
Kempster, greatly abashed, turned
from white to red and back to white
again, shifting on his feet uneasily.
Forgive ME, gentle Mistress he
said contritely. '"Thou didst come so
lightly, like little gray shadow OF the
mist, that | was upon thee ere | saw
thee"
To-day a gray shadow and tother
eve 'as sweet and wholesome as
fresh new cheese" she replied petu-
lantly. II like not thy comparisons,
Simon Kempster."
In silence he picked up the half
emptied pals that she had set upon the
ground, and they started down the long
lane that led to the Taunston farm
house together.
whatever l say or do, l ne'er can
please thee, Hetty," he observed re-
proachfully as they walked along.
"'Tis one day that my ways are
clumsy and t'other that my words are
coarse. What can l. do or say mat
would win thine approval? For my
happiness doth depend on thy smiles
and favor, Hetty."
"Thou'rt happy only when tnou II Oh
thy farm among thy cows ana chicK-
ens," the maid retorted, although tue
red in her cheeks had deepened at DIS
earnest words. "Forsooth, thou canst
see beauty in naught else but tiny put
ter, thy. cheeses or the last new can
or lamb that doth bleat about my
dooryarA. What room hath thou ID
thv minS for thoughts O. pleasing
silly ma .d? she concluded, with
nert tos.s .of her head.