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

time as a support to her brother. tina
she doth know Seeketh ever to do hi
duty in the sight of God an man, sh
doth go about as a reproach, with du
eyes and sickly pallor. Pah! tn
sight Of her rifles me-"
At her mothers sharp bidding Het
ty went to her room, not daring to re
fuse, and lay with eyes wide open, lis
tening to the mOnotonous murmurin,
of the voices of her mother and Jo
siah, who, seated before the kitchen
fire, conversed in low tones until
late hour in the night Once for 4,
short time she lost consciousness, bu
at the first gray streak Of light across
the horizon line she crept softly out O
bed and went down into the dooryard
Early astir as she was, she found hel
brother there before her, coming
around from the barn, leading his
horse. Never in all Hetty's young life
had she been so harassed and her
mind so filled with terror. Such awful
tales as she had heard constantly of
the evil dOings of the cousin she loved
kept her heart heavy with sense of
trouble, and her little head fairly ached
with bewilderment and wonder how
to reconcile the fact Of a woman so
pure as Margaret being in connivance
with so much wickedness.
When Josiah saw her he exclaimed
in veXed tones:
"Out upon thee, sad facew
Then possibly the sight of her suf-
fering showing so plainly in the pallOr
and lines Of her face, touched some
small spot in his heart that was good
or stirred his conscience, for when she
ran to him and clutched the bride
rein, imploring him to save their cous-
in Margaret, he did not push her away
nor could he meet her glance, but NOV
ed uneasily in his saddle.
Josiah, dear brother, an thou would
let me speak with Elder Williams of
the council, happen 1 would have in
fuence WI him."
"Ho, no! Thine infuencew Josiah
laughed scornfully. "Going in public
against thy brother! A dutiful sister,
prithee, to make my boasts onw
Here his manner changed, growing
stern and commanding.
'Thou'rt to stay here, faint heart
an mind the house! L faith, I'll have
a care that with so much important
work on hand we have no swooning
scenes wi silly wenches."
AS he finished speaking a man, one
of the horse boys at the Sign of the
Red Heart came swiftly up the path
way.
Master Taunston," he said, painting
slightly, 81 ha' come WI news! The
witchs lover hath f1edw
"GOnew Josiah calculated in surprise.
aye, tits found that he stole away +
the night" the man replied.
Here's crown, Tobias, for tits
good news that thou hast brought"
raunstOn cried exultantly. '"The white |
ivered pOltrOOn hath great influence at |
court, and his detention might have
brought us trouble. Once down the
we will see that he doth not
'eturn again until the evil woman we
seek to punish hath received her just
leSerts. Hetty, see that thou doth my
bidding" he said roughly, pushing her
rom out of his way with the handle of
lis whip. Spring up behind, Tobias;
veil ride to the inn. Dost not hear
houting? Methinks already the vii
age is astir."
He gave spurs to his horse Hetty's
reath came in gaSps as she stood with
er hands clasped over her heart watch
lg her brother and his companion
peed away. She sank down upon the
OOrStep and tried to collect her
lOughtS. What news was this she had
lst heard? Her mind was dazed.
handsome, gallant Sir Godfrey La Fa-
ienne only fair day wooer? Did a
ian live with heart base enough to de-
,rt one so sweet and trusting as Mar
lret?
Heartsick, bewildered and bitterly ]
sappOinted, with all her romantic il
sions dispelled, Hetty covered up
,r face, and remembrance of the l
eacher's warnings and words against
e wicked fashionable men of the gay '
ties and their deceiving ways, also /
r mothers sinister predictions con- I
rning La Fabienne's tickle love for
argaret, came to her. Herheart futter-
painfully in a perfect turmoil of agi- t
ton, distress and absolute convic- l.
N. Yes, it must be true, and the idol '
e had set up on such high pedestal e
owe all others had tumbled to the II
ound and fallen in pieces at her feet. q
How cold the gray dawn was! She
ivered slightly and with quick a
)tiOn drew her kerchief closer about u
+ white throat. How friendless and v
me she felt, for the first time in II
r life at odds with her mother and
other and for her foolish vanity and e
'ud airs totally ignored and forgot D
by her old cOmrade and lover, y
non Kempster! AS her sad thoughts "
n to him she sprang to her feet o.
/ looked down the mountain in the 81
ectiOn Of his house. Was he, like "
others, preparing in grim enjoy al
mt to go to the Maryland farm to D
Margaret accused and taken? She W
ok her head in the negative. Sure -
one so good and stout of heart as
ION could not believe that sweet OF
rgaret would sinfully connive with
devil to wreak harm on others! al
inging her hands distractedly, the M
walked to the little gate before the ne
se. Was that wreath Of smoke
ling out Of the new fashioned stone Or
nney that Simon had so lately and tn