Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-01-05
The fellow did not lift his head.

Fair mistress" he said in thicl
muffied tones, "my lord left las
night"
The glow Of color that had swep
over Margaret's face at Gastons az
pearance faded away.
'Whither went he?"
81 know not, mistress"
"Rise, stupid" she commanded, witt
quick impatience, land speak the mes
sage that Sir Godfrey left for me
What good reason for his going CAV,
he. and what tender words Of cOunse
left lie for me-"
The fellow rose, but did not NEE
her glance He stood with bowed head
shifting his feet nervOusly.
'BlOckhead, wilt never speak," Mar
garet shook his arm angrily.
Good Mistress Mayland," the maj
stammered, IL have but one WORD
for thee from my MASTER
And that is?" she interrupted al
most wildly in her desperation.
Farewell"
Margaret fell back as if she had re-
ceived q blow in the face, and the
listening crowd closed in around
them, with glOating looks and haunting
words, wild with triumphant excite
ment. The captain laid his hand on
her arm determinedly, but she threw
him off and, clinging to Castor, be-
sought him to tell her more.
'Kind Mistress" he said, ''last night
at about an hour after midnight, when
1 was sleeping heavily ON pile of
straw in the stable. l felt some one
touching me gently and, springing up
in surprise found my master bending
over me. AS 1 attempted to speak he
put his hand over my mouth and
whispered these words:
Castor, positive news hath reached
me that at the rising of the sun | and
Mistress Maryland are to be taken into
custody by the soldiers who arrived
here tonight and thrown into prison.
AS all the passes are strongly guarded
we cannot escape by
''At that instant the man sleeping
Mt my side Weakened and raised on his
elbow. My master, hardly daring to
breathe, crouched low " in the shadow,
50 that he was unperceived.
"Much more would l say he
whispered, but | cannot take the risk.
Tell Mistress Maryland farewell and
"Just then another fellow stirred,
and, rousing his companion, the men
exchanged words, listening. Breath
less we waited until the soldiers were
breathing regularly again. Then my
lord, giving my hand Il strong pressure,
took the first safe chance and slipped
nOiselessly through the doorway"
Swear what thou sayst is the
TRUTH Margaret cried, now standing
erect before him, deathlike pallor on
her cOuntenance.
by the sacred memory of my moth
er's love l swear itr CASTOR said
sOlemnly.
The proud head of the mistress of
the Maryland farm, it's covering Of vel
low hair cleaning in the sunlight, fell
forward on her breast. The captain to
hide his emotion gave loud order,
and the soldiers, with noise of clanking
swords, closed in around her.
Margaret looked about her in dazed
manner. !
There is no need of force" she said
duly. Il will go with thee"
!, The noise from the clamOring, shout
ing mass of people was almost deafen-
ing as the officer, leading Margaret,
bareheaded and the long skirts of her
riding habit trailing after her on the
ground, started toward the roadway.
ITO the Jail! To the jailp' they cried
frantically.
'The witch doth hang her head in
shame of her evil Deeds" said one wo-
man, running along with a child in her
arms.
may" cried another. "'Tis with sor-
row that her poltroon lover hath desert
ed her. Such kind know not shamew
At the gateway the captain called a
halt, as he wished to consult Josiah
TaunstOn on some matter pertaining
to his orders, and Elsbeth, who had
been running after them in fearful ag-
my, wringing her hands and screaming
'hrilly, fell at Margaret's feet and
brew her arms about her in hopeless
lbandon. l
"Oh, sweet babe, bOnny Margaret"
he moaned, they are taking thee to \
'rison, where l shall never see thee e
more! Can naught be done to save t
bee? All, lackaday, Gods mercy on us t
IL! They'll kill thee and no help comes"
"Grieve not, Elsbeth," Margaret an a
wered gently, 'grieve not for one G
Tho hath received her death wound.
I'm they kill that which is already s
et(d? Nay good Elsbeth, after the n
e11s brought by CASTOR that God Il
o T'-here dry sob rose in her throat d
-"that Godfrey, whom 1 love, hath u
bandOned ME to the insults Of these
eople, no abuse they can heap upon p
lie to cause me suffering will be felt U
= me. Mourn not for one stabbed so .
larply through the heart that all the t'
)ung joyous life in her hath been a.
lied by one deep thrust. Dry thy "
airs, dear mother" II
The captain approaching at this juno Ill
re, the procession started through the sc
lteway and down the road, where it 81
on disappeared, and the only sign of ~
imam life left on the Maryland estate 81
as the form of old Elsbeth lying pros NJ
ate on the ground. I'll
CHAPTER XIII g
49, -. .lt he
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