Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-01-05

L
Dejectedly resting his head on his hanC
unheeding until, breathless and PAM
, ing she reached Kempster's door, Fror
, her place OH the step she could see int
, the kitchen. Logs were burning in tn
chimney, and a kissing caldron o
water was steaming above them.
,, Hetty put her hands together owe
her heart as she saw Simon sitting OF
, the settle before it. His broad bacl
was toward the window, but she coul(
see that he was leaning over detected
ly, resting his head on his hand. Softly
lifting the latch. she entered and stood
just inside the door. Kempster was evi
IDENTIFY deep in thought, for the fain
sounds did not disturb him.
Simon"
He sprang to his feet and looked al
her in Hhe greatest establishment.
Am | wanted? Doth any one need
me?" he asked, unable to attribute any
other reason for her coming.
NAY thou'rt not wanted" Hetty re-
piled falteringly, "and-and no one
needs thee, Simon"
"Wilt take chair, mistressY His
manner was civil, but his face was
grave and stern. He resumed his seat
on the settle. Hetty came forward and
knelt before the fire, holding out one
small hand to the blaze.
81 am cOld," she said shiveringly.
az the morning at sunrise there is
apt to be chill l. the air." Simon said
indifferently. "Didst wear no wooden
about thee?"
He looked around the room. Hetty
hastily put out her hand to prevent his
rising.
NAY, get me nothing" She sighed
gentle, nuttering sigh, "The bright
fire on thy hearth, Silson, hath already
warmed me-"
kenpster regarded the small, grace
full figure in its gray dress and white
kerchief, kneeling there in the glare Of
the fire so close to him., with pain tug
gng at his heart and suspicion in his
mind. Was this a new mood-just an
other of her tantaliZing ways? Had she
come back only to worry and torment
him? Hetty, glancing up, met his quiet
glance.
when thou'rt ready to Co." he re-
marked, with studied GOODNESS, happen
can find wooden for thee
AT his words her heart sank within
her. OF certain he had ceased to love
her, so she would speak of other mat
tiers
'Thank thee, Simon. When 1 go an 1
am trife warmer l will take it,"
Then, as he did not speak, she added
mournfully, "Simon, didst know that
the council hath ordered our Margaret
to the prison?'
"Yea, the fearsome news hath reach
ed me-"
"An' that the man she loved better |
than her life hath deserted her in her
hour Of peril"
Kempster sat erect with a sudden
start.
"The courtier, Sir Godfrey La Fa-
bienne?" he asked in surprise.
She choked back a sob.
"None other, as thou knowest. All,
bonny MargaretT
"Thy news doth surprise me-" he
said quietly, "as the knight had ever
an open countenance and manly
bearing. But I ween tits not uncom-
mon for love to grow between a man
and woman all on one side"
Hetty laid supplicating hand on
lis arm.
Simons breath came quickly, but his
voice was stern as he said: "Hadst not
better take chair? Thou'lt find but
DOOR comfort on the floor"
"Nay, Simon," she cried tearfully,
be not so churlish to thine old play
ime friend! Hast forgotten Hetty,
title Hetty Taunston, who when thou
vert but lad, long before thy moth
r died, did rise at break O. day to
meet her at the bars and help her
rive the cows to grass"
Simon turned his eyes toward her
nd regarded searchingly the sweet L
pturned face. What new coquetry :
vas this? He set his teeth and steeled ]
is heart against her. Z
"Such pleasant friendship as hath [
yer been between us, Simon" she d
egan in low voice, hesitatingly, q
should not be broken off forever for q
rant of word Of explanation. Sim
n, IL remember the words thou did
peak to me that day + the dairy, s
hen l was so set up because cow e
rd cOurtier-a man who covered his
lack heart with fine raiment and v
ore a gallant bearing to deceive folk e
did remark about my beauty that
fouted thee and did scorn the offer "
thy honest heart and faithful love" c.
Kempster regarded her seriously, u
lXiOusly; once he reached out his +
md toward her, but drew it back d
astily. p
$50 proud was an so full Of idle a
cams of a gay life in Paris that at N
e time I scarce did miss thee" she OF
"but anon became lonely, fc
unhappy and did not real al
know what did all me until met I'll
e quiet scorn Of thy glance and
lew myself for the foolish, worth Gil
IS maid that 1 was. Simon" she re
led softly, 'it hurt me to learn that az
ood LOST thp regard Of ono OOOd man: N
= heart ached, an I was sore trOu- DC
ed" 10
'Hetty"-he spoke her name sharp
-"say no more unless thou doth st
lily mean thy words" III
81 truth. / mean so much more than