Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-18
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mers, mayhap one or two more" she
said. He was large Of stature and
finely built. with gray eyes and brown
pointed beard worn l. the French fash
ion. A round hat with sweeping feath-
er covered his hair. long leathern rid
ing boots reached to his hips, and his
doublet was Of ruby velvet, with black
satin slashings. Good son Josiah"-she
laid her hand on his arm with an ex-
preston OF feeling unusual with her
"he presented such dazzling picture
to mine eyes that for the nonce-know
ing that oft to silly women the sight Of
rich and tawdry dress doth weigh heav-
lily against piety, honesty and worth Of
character-a feeling of insecurity, ap-
prehension and alarm for thy prospects
SO filled my mind that 1 saw the man
who would supplant thee ride bravely
away In the wrong direction with ex-
ultation and feeling of gratitude to
God for his gracious protection Of US,
ever his righteous and faithful serv-
ants" she concluded in her most de-
vout manner.
Springing to his feet, Taunston paced
the room with nervous strides, occa-
sionally pausing to look out Of the win
dow or to stand stern and gloomy be-
fore the chimney fire. Suddenly, as If
unable to contain himself longer, he
made sharp. exclamation and, going
to his mother, who had resumed her
spinning, cried desperately: Mother,
ha' sworn that those lands shall be
mine! An the knowledge that there is
an enemy approaching with intent to
battle my desire doth set me on the
verge of frenzyw
"Calmness," she replied in voice Of
warning. Gold calculation and trust
in God were ever better, my son, than
hot words and hasty action. Already
Abigail's misdirection hath sped thee
six days on thy wooing and six days
more before the Skollvent stream will
be passable, not taking into considera-
ton the knowledge of the pest Of mea-
sles that spreads SO thickly about the
town Of Sterndorf, where our travellers
are resting safely there by now"
She laughed in grim enjoyment.
"Happen, lad, we may ne'er hear O.
them again"
Josiah paused in his restless walking
and leaned against the casing of the
door, with CLEAN of hope in his eyes.
"Ha, ha,' his laughter rang out harsh
and mirthless. "An our gallant cour-
tier doth fall victim to the pest twill
be long number o. days before he can
recover strength to ride down yon
rocky mountain road. In that time,
with perseverance and determination,
much Roadway can be made!"
He opened his lips to continue, hest
tated, then said: "Thou saidst think
that yon cavaliers face was not one
of much attractiveness, good mother
Not one woman would remember
long"
Still treasuring in her heart against
Aim the harsh words he had spoken as
he rode up to the door, his mother
made reply:
"'Twere sin to speak words with
out truth, JOSIAH" she said piously, $50
l fain must say that to the worldly
minded the gallants face was one Of
much manly beauty"
Her son did not reply, but strobe
hastily out Of the doorway, and as be
walked bitter hatred filed his. heart
and blinded his eyes SO that for once
he did not see the green lands of Mar,
garet Mayland's estate spreading out
in all their spring beauty before him
His sister Hetty, dawdling at the brook
in the sunshine, filling the ewers, spoke
to him as he passed. but he did not
hear her or appear to know that she
was there.
Not so with round faced Simon
Kempster, who came after him whis
Ting merrily, bunch of fagots on hi
shoulders and happy light in hi
eyes as their gaze fell on Hetty. who
having filed the ewers, was now rails
ing one to her shoulder preparatory t
carrying it to the house.
Simon threw down his fagots.
ga good morrow, Hetty. Shalt he'll
thee with thy water carrying?"
NAY, not so, good Simon, for mother
ever watchful from the doorway, woul
say that we did gossip in workin
hours" she replied soberly. "Once er
now this morning ha' felt the severit
O. her displeasure."
"Then, by my faith, thy sweet fac
showeth no sign that thou didst tax
her rebuke to heart sorely, for tn
countenance is as bright-as bright
Hetty raised her eyes in pleased al
ticipation.
'As bright as a new brass kettler' h
cried, delighted in that he had foun
so apt comparison.
The smile on his companions FAC
grew quickly into frown as she turf
ed stifay to walk away.
. $50 I resemble brass kettle tn
morning!" she said sarcastically. me,
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