The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-13
By BARONESS EMmusKA ORGY

wh,el, might have 70, befalllen the peaceful
misery, mise "a ana denti ky' w u'spe"ssf u
=, They had forgotten the guard now.
Their lnwlessness knew no bounds.
But for the incessnnt din OF the merry
drums and the shouts OF tho criers,
their own yelis OF execrat.on. their
violent curses and the shricks of tie
captive girl. could not have failed to
atLrnct attention.
But every ono was busy laughing
and enjoying tho last hours OF thls
Happy day. No one came to Interfere
In this deveilish work which was about
tered but Drought further yitup,eration
upon her.
She shouted "Help!"
"Harls. my masters! sneered Matthew
loftily. "she calls to Satan for help"
What will you do with me9 sbe
pleaded. I've done you no wrong"
Thou hast brought the devil in our
midst"
mo! MOI"
II saw thee riding on a broomstick--
going to thy Sabbath revels.'
T rs b. hss ea f the wP7, os' Hu'e 1,,
Satan and OF oil the powers OF dark
ness. fell upon her knees In an agony
OF the widest despair: Realizing her
position. the terrible doom which was
to writhe with the agony Of her hor-
ror. She dragged herself to Matthew's
knees--he seemed to be leading the
from those who held her and threw
them round him. She forced her voice
to gentleness and pleading. tried to ap-
peal to what was q stone wall OF un-
conquerable prejudice.
"Slrs. kind s.rs!" she entreated. you
would not harm poor girl WI Wno wn had
9 Godl" ane shrieked in her fr,e en-,
-. neis virgin. protect me, {
MOUTH hou and h han last Was yes we're v so
cred as she was ruthlessly dragged
Thicn with two or three leather belts
whilst thick wooden scarf was wound
round her face and neck. leaving only
the. eyes free to roam wildly on the
: Awtul. indeed! Man turned to say.
age beast In the frenzy OF his own
Swift and silent, like SO many ro-
leetins bits OF wood. broke up their
sticks into small pieces. tore branches
doMn frem n, ,hs % ola elm st trees the ring
dirseting these gruesome operations,
Hist" he admonished incessantly,
mot 30 much noise. We don't
want the guard to come this way, 90
quick, where's thy resin? James
the wheelwrlght. thy. finder, friend.
Here! these faggots are not
close enough! ;. Some more on
the left fherei ;.
And the men. as alert as their clum-
sy bodies would allow. as quick as the
darkness would permit, groaning.
other. worked with a will to accom-
plish the end which they had in view.
To burn the witch!
almost gone at sight OF this fast APP
preaching. inevitable doom. did not at
tempt to struggle; had the gag been
removed from her mouth. she would
not have uttered sound.
Nature. more mercifui than her own
children. had paralyzed the brain OF
the wretched girl. and LETT her SEMI emil,
for her own appalling death.
| watch how the witch will burn"
soul soul vii ay out Of her mouth, and it'll
be SHAPED like a black cat"
They had all descended the steps
and were standing IN semi'cirele ., on
cradle holocaust which they we're about
to ofrer up to their own cowardly
superstition. 800,
with his finder. with John the smith
bending over him. ready with e resin
torch. which would start tho oondagra-
And Mirrab. looking down on them ZEN
body had fallen In a strange. SHARE snare
less heap across na the iea 1yerc bmreI
In the pile OF faggots. whilst her IN
gers worked convulsively behind the
flagstaff to which they were c9s' tea.
leave of his friend. had been Idly stroll.
5owa;ds the w bs ta 141t a Hsryy
Plantsgenet: at arst sight 4, Of ari Epsup
OF men dimly outlined IN the dar Kness.
| he scarcely realized what was nappen-
the the eey 1lafu became aaas ignited threw the
more distant figure OF the woman INTO
complete lle ,h gloom wa, sudden shout Of
triumph nnep nth The torch to was blazing at
=; 'sI i, E. holy are' . Burn th'
John the smith, holding the Is t9r Sis
aloft, inspired by the, enthusiasm OF n.s
| friends, had turned towards. me !, sts Is5;
ts fpsse tat Ss hspsss SSunae q
gaudy tinsel. only dimly suggesting
woman's form beneath. Which hung
linaply from the flagstaff.
ThGn Wessex understood.
He had already drawn nigh. attracted
| by Idle curiosity, but now WIFE. 0ne
| bound he reached the steps; striking
4 out with his fists at two OF three men
! who barred the way, he suddenly st .}oi3
cconfronting these nllscreants. the ric len
of the torch glowing on the rich - SIZE nt
| Of his doublet, the jeweled agrane o.
4 his hat, his proud, serious race, !, altl1ost
! distorted by overwhelming wrath. \,
/ "What damnable piece OF mischlei IS
| this?'' he said peremptortly. a.,
He had scarcely raised his voice. Ios
they were all silent, having retreateu
4 somewhat at sight Of this stranger
| who barred the way: a.
| The Inst net OF submission ana dst.
4 erence to the lord was Unborn IN we
4 country lout Of these days. Their nrsl
! movement was one OF respectful ave- I'M.
4 But this was only momentary.4 ny ~
4 excitement was too great. too real. , 70 70
! give way to this gallant alon e,.,Wltn
! only an elegant sword to stand be tween zen
.Ihim and the mad desire for the wien
"oWt of the way. stranger" shouted
! Matthew Justify from the rear OF Thy
4 group; "thls Is no place for fine sen 81.
] tlcmen. Up with thy torch John the
4 sy, ifh No one fnterfereS here" ssta5