Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-09
Josiah threw her from him roughly.

ueclSlOn. Messengers on SWlTt horses
ha' ridden toward Sterndorf with or
ders signed with the chief councillors
seal, who hath all control in this vii
lage Fool, thy pure, kind Margaret
Mayland"-he laughed a loud, scornful
laugh of derision-"will be taken at the
break o. day by the kings soldiers,
now OH their way from Sterndorf,
where they ha' been stationed O. late
awaiting orders, and brought to trial
fora WITCH"
Josiah! Brother!' Hetty gave out
one piercing scream. "Thou'lt not
hang our Margaret?"
NAY, soothe thy fears, I'll not hang
her." he replied sneeringly, "but hap
pen the people, our good friends and
neighbors, who have had enough of
her damnable pranks, may decide to
burn herr
The blood left Hetty's heart. She
groped about her blindly, then, with
another wild Shrek of horror, fell in n
heap on the floor. Angrily and with
rough jerks Josiah tried to lift her to
her feet; then, seeing that she was
really unconscious, he strobe to the
doorway, calling loudly:
"Ho, mother!"
She appeared ut the window.
Doth want me, Josiah?"
aye, come at once an bring wa
ter, for Hetty, weak, soft headed wench
that she is, hath fallen in swoon!'
That night the full moon hung low
and yellow over the mountain and sent
its clear rays through the trees, whose
branches, rustling with the soft sum-
mer breeze, cast weird, quivering
shadows on the ground. Hardly rip
pie stirred on the brook, and but for
the occasional boot of an owl or the
call of the whipposrwill no sound dis
turbed the peaceful quiet of the hour.
Margaret Maryland, standing before
her door, quite passed the beauty of
the evening by, so intent was she upon
looking down the roadway in the d.
rection of the village. With her light
hair combed high upon her head and
caught With jeweled ornament, that
flashed and sparkled under the moons
rays, and her dress Of white gauze,
with fine threads of gold woven
| through its dainty meshes, clinging to
her gracefully in soft folds, she re-
sembled some goddess or queen of the
night that the moonbeams had come
to worship. After time her listening
ear catching no sounds Of approach
ing footsteps, she drew sharp breath
of Impotence and, stepping down, pac
ed restlessly back and forth before the
door,
| Elsbeth appeared at the window to
draw in the lattice.
"Hath on no wrap, bonny?" she
asked solicltously. "Thy frock is thin,
and methinks there is much GOODNESS in
the air tonight"
With little SILVER Margaret turned
and entered the house.
~ truth am cold," she said; "but,
more than that, a nervous and uncanny
feeling hath possession of me. Fetch
my cloak, Elsbeth," she added impa-
tiently as the older woman was about
| to speak, land waste not thy time in
| venting foolish reasons why Godfrey
doth not come"
At that moment Sir Godfrey La Fa-
bienne, followed by his man CASTOR,
to whom he was giving some final in
structions, came out of the door Of the
Sign of the Red Heart. Wearing a
doublet made Of purple velvet orna-
mented with heavy silver trimmings,
| long silken hose of lavender and on his
head a velvet hat will. an ostrich feath-
er sweeping over the brim, his gay ap-
pearance was in direct contrast to his
dull surroundings and the plain dress
Of the onlookers. The usual number Of
loiterers stood about the steps, and to
his brief salutation they returned sui
len looks and ominous scowls SO sig
nificant that La Tablennes anger was
aroused.
"Diable"-he turned upon them furi-
ously, laying his hand upon his sword
hilt, intense Indignation on his face
"curs, whelps, that burst not speak, but
stand about silent, conveying threaten
ings in thy glances! have tried to ig-
more We, but endurance now hath
ceased. If any man or all of We have
aught against me let him step forward
and accuse me, and"-drawing his
sword-"that one will see that am not
loath to defend myself against his ac-
cusations"
The group of countrymen, alarmed
at his vehemence and evident determi-
nation, drew back from him hastily.
"Cowards! If there is man among
ye let him step out, and once for all
We'll put an end to this stabbing in the
dark, these innuendoes and insinuations
in look and action. What, dastardsv'
as no one came forward. "None of We
trained to fight in the open? Gods
death, but thou art valiant mothers
Sons! Where is thy brave leader, Mas
ter Taunston?" he scornfully cried.
"An he's anywhere about, ask him to
step out. I'd like tolsettle with him the
first Of all. Not come yet?' he repeat
ed, turning to the inn3iecper, who stood
near and who had venturcd to give the
information. az truth, he hath not come,
nor will he until from his skulking
place in the forest he hath seen me,
the man he hath cause to fear, we'll out
VI Ills way.
Then he took off his glove and dashed
1t on the ground before the men.
when thy leader-thy brave, upright
leader-doth arrive give him that glove:
tell him that Sir Godfrey La Fabienne
calleth him woman striker and cow.
ard! And IL after that" he continued
with an angry laugh, "he carcth not to
fight. by heaven, when next we meet
he'll take well deserved horsewhip.
ping" Then he sheathed his sword
and, slowly followed by his servant,
strobe away in the direction of the
! Maryland farm.
A moment later Josiah Taunston,
white faced and looking us if he had
heard the loud and angry words just
uttered, came around from the back of
the inn. The men, excitedly pointing to
the glove, told him what had been said.
He listened quietly, with sneer on his
face, nor did he move it until one young
fellow, STOPPING to pick up the chal-
lengc, was suddenly sent sprawling on