VOL. XXXXII.
THE MODERN STORE. 1
Special Hosiery and Underwear Bargains this week.
Everybody will need this wear right now.
It will nay you to lay it by.
Ladies' Fine Light-weight Gauge Cotton Hose-were lfcc, now 10c per pair.
Ladies' 25c Black Lace Lisle Hose 18c, 3 pair for 50c.
Ladies' Imported Black Lace Lisle Hose 38c qualities, this week >.k: pair
Ladies' Imported Brilliant Lace Lisle Hose, Blacks and -Tans, best 50c
grade 35c per pair, 3 pair for SI.OO. „ ,
Ladies' Fine Lace Bibbed Underveets, best l->c ones, this week 10c, 3 for
25c
Ladies' 85c Lisle Undervest, Sleeveless, this week 15c each
Ladies 50c Lisle and Swiss Vests, fancy lace trimmed, 3»c each, •! for f l
A table fall of Shirt Waists and Shirt Waist Suits at just 4 price,
We have the strongest and most varied assortment
in Hosiery and Underwear in Butler.
This sale means what we advertise
EISLER-MARDORF COMPANY,
«~r»■fs.ypy I 991
I UC.\Samples sent on request.
OPPOSITE HOTEL ARLINGTON. BUTLER. PA
Clearance Sale of Summer N
Furniture 11
lights innumerable j»
«y roc£wor\ porch set- kl
ae. Bnt w# k 8 1 1
Willow Rockers, P HPi
$1.50 to 2.00 , //Igmt M
(ettees at -5. Z / M
II 75, 3.00 and 4.00
/I ■■ away below regular price {
fi / /iliV - tor these goods. Better >
► I I*®*® several too
i And'retnember—nejt sum- >
I mer you'll need them—and .
the prlcejrill be coneider-
! BROWN & CO. |
( No. 136 North Main St., Butler. !►
ssssssss^
7 We wish to amioonce to the people of Butler County s
S that our SEIHI-ANNDAL MIDSUMMER (
< CLEARANCE SALE Is In progress. <
n We are giving the same large discounts as here-to-fore£
/and we solicit your patronage for the sake of youri
Jpocketbook. You know us and know what our sales S
1 have done for you in the past. We quote below a few/
i Men's, boys' and children's suits at the following discounts: 1
t 240 suits at 20 per cent off regular price. )
f 390 suits at 25 per cent off regular price. 3
V 355 suits at 1-3 off regular price. J
/ 250 suits at 1-2 off regular price.
y One lot of boys' suits were $1.50 to $4, sale price sl. t
Same discounts on shirts, hats, coats and vests, fancy/
/vests, etc. Top coats at same discounts. Bring
Sad. with you and compare prices. Yours for bargains, X
I Douthett & Graham. |
\ INCORPORATED. /
S SEE WINDOW DIMPJLA V I'HOM TIME 'i'O TIMB. /
T .....
| CLEARANCE SALE! «
I j 1 Are you looking for a Surry, Spring Wagon or Buggy O
I I 'to go to the Fairs, if you are we have them and at prices O
1 1 'that will surprise you, we arc crowded for room and still W
1 1 'have a good many buggies coming in, that we will have O
' i 'to make room for and In order to do so will sell W
j | SSO BUGGIES AT S4O. 0
<ll $60.00 Buggies at $50.00 and all others In proportion, O
< I (good Harness at SIO,OO, a few more through Rawhide O
<! > Whips at 25 cents. Come quick before it Is too late and O
* 1 1 the bargains all gone. 0
li» Trunks to close out at cost for the next thirty days. 0
iMartincourt & Thorn!
j 1 (LIMITED) 0
f J 128 E. Jefferson St., Butler, Pa.
/ I Headquarters for Kramer Wagons.
| AN DNDSIIAL CHANCE! *
jj Wall Paper at Cost, j
IJ From July 1 to 10 we will give 40 per cent, off
|| on our entire line of Wall Paper! Here's a »T«
j } bargain for you if you need any Wall Paper! i\i
| Heed a Hammock? We've reduced our hammocks! tjj
j] EYTH BROS, |
| * NEAR COURT
THE BUTLER CITIZEN.
AUGUST CLEARANCE!
A Sale of Summer Goods Below Cost.
Our Jilly ?ale was a success* For Angust selling we have
slaughtered «]1 goodr*. We will carry nothing «>ver to another
season if a sacrifice price will sell it. Cost not considered at this sale
Come and get goads at j-onr own price.
Wash Goods at Half Price.
VW sold stacks of wash g.xids at the July **le but there are
still some choice goods to be sold now at half price.
10c Lawns now sc.
12k- and 15c Lawns and Dimities now 7c.
l*c and 20c Batistes, &c. now 9c.
Fine Ginghams, Seersuckers, Fancy White Goods, Organdies,
&c.. at bargain prices. ,
Shirt Waist Clearance.
A chance to save one-fonrth to one-half Our entire stock of
stylish Shirt Waists now on sale at a fraction of the original
price. Come now and get bargains.
Embroideries and Laces.
Btocke are still too large and must be reduced. From onr
already low prices we now offer one-lourtli oft on all
enibroiilericM and lacon.
Sale Prices In All Departments.
Special bargain prices on Silks. Dress Goods, Table Linens,
Crashes, Towels, Sheetings, White Spreads, Lace Curtains,
Belts, Jewelry, &c
L. Stein & Son,
108 N MAIN STREET. BUTLER, PA
\ Bickers Footwear. H
ki
| A Grand Display of Fine Footwear in fA
J All the Latest Spring Styles. M
k! J/Swl!k We are showing many Fj
m Jngffl'jjvk pretty styles in Ladies' Fine »J
? lmA ®hoes and Oxfords at prices Tfi
m JjjW sure to interest you. P
U Big bargains in Misses'
p and Children's Shoes.
r JP? Large stock of Men's and L*
m -'Ww Boys' Fine Shoes and Ox- r
r fords in many styles. k
f » j£Br Repairing promptly done, L
| JOHN BICKELS
M ~ , Main St., BUTLER. PA.
r lAji pf MEN
f' 1
j[ V: I I spending money. Ttifcy desire to ggt the
\r | ,/ // T\lt best, possible result of the money **pende<l.
jjil V" / | ; '7 J J.) Those who buy custom clothing haven
/j|; ;■ [ >.(.• tj/'lS I right to demand a fit, to have their clothes
<L I ! fy y 5 correct in style and to demand of the
/ A\\' -■*r' • nellur to guarantee everything. Come to
/M v•" • ; us ami there will be nothing lacking 1
/fivV jl 'S /'lf * . have just received a large stock of Spring
- Y>/' K- ill! . anil Hummer suitings in the latent style*,
'if-l j e. p. KECK,
j j Wy MERCHANT TAIfeOR,
jjjJj JH/ -X .142 N.Mciin St., Butler, Pa
Do More Work, 1
i Than any ° ther washe i
% on the market. &
: .J. C|. & W, CAMPBELL, :
ftgittinaa't „•??' PA ;
■ Free Bus to and From Trains. 8
Rates Reasonable at all Times. H
■ Water Free to Guests. H
■ Open the Year Round. m
1 HOTEL DE VITA, I
Iff CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, PA. K
H MA It TIN K. I'AItKKR, Mgr. H
■ In connection with the De Vita Mineral Springs. B
■ Electric and Vapor Baths. ■
H The Magnesia Spring is found at a dentil of 10!) H
H feet and tin- water rises to within four feet of the H
3| surface, whence It Is pumped direct to the hotel. H
MB As a water for bathing it is unequaled on account H
B| of Its Moftti<-PS and mediciual properties. IJeing n H[
!F laxative, It Is one of the best known apecifloafor H
S" all t>lood and skin diseases BR
o These waters have made wonderful i-ur«*s and Bat
are recommcudi-d for the following dlaeuses. H
ism Itright's DisrasK of the Kidnevs, Hheuinatism. H
MS Prostration, Dlalwtes, Drii|i»jr, Catarrh of the ■■
H Htomttcb and bladder, Nervous Prostration, H
H Rheumatic (lout, all poisonous conditions of the B
BUTLER, PA., THURSDAY, AUGUST 10,1905
I The Witch of 8
1 Cragenstone i
■S By ANITA CLAY MUNOZ, JtE
Itf Author of "In Love tnd Truth**
Copyright, 1905. bu Anita CUf Manoz «!»<•»►
'» yTTTTTvy ttvttt? y v vy¥Tvv? irvivv t
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN a remote part of Cragenstone,
far from the eeuter of the village,
built on a narrow defile that 1«k1
from the main roadway and al
most hidden by a wild growth of bushes
and high trees, stood the prison where
Margaret Mayland was confined.
It was a primitive affair built rough
ly of log*, the interior comprising a
row of dark cells, a long narrow pas
sageway svad a room for the keeper;
also a large assembly hall where the
village tribunal or council held Its ses
sions. Here it was that they heard
disputants, punished offenders and
otherwise sat In Judgment. So quiet
were the Inhabitants of this cbscure
mountain village, so regular in their
manner of living, peaceable and law
abiding, that the jail for lack of serv
ing any use of great Importance had
long sinco fallen into a state of neg
lect. The heavy wooden shutters hung
loosely on broken hinges; the aper
tures that emitted air and light into
the building were covered with a rusty.
Iron grating, and the plain, wooden
furniture was dilapidated to an ex
traordinary degree. In fact, the only
part of the old prison that gave evi
dence of strength or resistance was the
huge front door of rough oak beams
riveted together with iron bands that
reached from floor to roof.
Before this door on the afternoon
Of tho day following Margaret's ar
rest the old Jailer, Matthsw Allen,
»at on a three leggod stool sleepily
watching the sun's gradual descant
toward tb« horizon line Ills good dog
slept quietly at his side, and Inside the
prison the silence was lutenso.
Hounds of horse's hoofs pounding the
roadway fell on the dull ears of the
Jailer, who raised his head expectantly,
for watching alone before the Jail in
Qn Isolated part of the village was a
monotonous existence even for a pious
old man whose thoughts were wont to
be nearer heaven than earth, and so
the hope of a chance visitor with whom
to discuss the exciting events of the
previous day caused nu expression of
unusual Intentneas to spread over Mat
thew's countenance as he looked to
ward the turn. Apparently the sight
of the old man was falling, for the
rider had appeared before Lis vision
(«nd approached quite a few yards In
his dlreeUon before he recognized the
tall, gray clad form of JoslahTauuston.
With noisy clatter the horse and rider
advanced, the latter pulling rein In a
Cloud of dust before the huge do«f of
the Jail.
"I pit# thee good <lny, Matthew," he
»aIA. "How doth fare thy prisoner, the
devil's young accomplice? IN she Still
with O10*?"
"Yea, master," the man responded
seriously. "She is here."
"Thy news Is good," Joslali observed.
"Met bought, perchance, to hear that sho
had disappeared. (lone up I' tlw air oi)
a streak o* lightning op lu U cloud of
(ittottw, iu Join the revels of hor evil
companions."
At tills sally bo laughed a loud luugh
of cruel enjoyment. The Jailer looked
about hlni fearfully, calling under bis
breath for the intercession v»f the
•alntq.
"Haw doth thy prisoner conduct her
self, Matthew Allen?" Tnunston in
quired, with curious gloating. "Doth she
rave an' curse, tear down her hair an'
call on that whlto llvered coxcomb,
that quondam lover of hers, to come to
•ave berV"
"My son, her behavior Is unusual,"
ho answered, shaking his head from
nid« to side In u wuy that Implied his
Inability to understand. "The maid
doth alt ou the stool quietly, with bead
bowed an' hands pressed together o'er
her heart, or else dotli kneel on tbe floor
and rest her head on the side <)f b«f
hard pallet."
T»>« jailer sighed.
'' 'Twere a sin, good sir, to feel a
sympathy for such?" he asked In a
trembling voice, uncertainly.
Joslali, who had been leaning over to
ward the old man familiarly, nuw sat
erect wltli a sudden (potion,
I'Mntthew Alleu," he cried sternly,
"keep In mind always that thou doth
come under the spell of this woman,
under the snare of her devilish wiles.
Her tricks are many, I tell thee, an"
deep Is her art. She doth but pl«y u
part to lure thee on! I (ant nlroudy had
f\ feeling of pity for berV Then beware,
Matthew! Keep distant from the churm
of her spell, und pray- pray constantly
for a speedy deliverance from the sore
affliction that hath been visited upon
this village."
The Jallej- paled visibly, and his Jaw
dropped us with eyes wide open In ter
ror he looked Into the dark and men
acing countenance of his visitor, who
now pompously drew a paper from his
bolt und with stern majesty proceeded
to address the old man.
"Matthew Alton, keeper of Cragftn
atono Jail, I have hero an order from
the chief councilor, herewith signed
and sealed, commanding thee to bring
the prisoner In thy charge-- ono Mar
garet Maylaod, accused of witchcraft
—before said councilor and council Jn
the prison hall, where they will lie as
sembled on the morrow at tho hour
of noon."
The Jailer took the paper with trem
bling hands, stammering his surprise
that so much haste hud been deemed
expedient.
"The council, as thou dost know,
Matthew, Is composed of wise men,"
lie observed, "men who foresee danger
end anticipate obstacles that might
rise in their pnthi. Thy prisoner, Jail
®r, bath a lover abroad known to have
vast Influence at court. As all the
roads ami passes are guarded by good
Puritans heavily armed, Ills only way
of escape was by the Bterndorf forest,
where he must either die of starvation
or heroine n prey to the hunger of the
Wolves."
He snapped his fingers Indifferently,
as If he did not care which. "Ho our
good eounctlmeu, knowing the vulne
Of precaution and having fair knowi
ng* that ofttimes evil doth triumph
over good, deetnea it expedient to set
the trial ut the earliest hour, an' I
warrant thee, Matthew, that If the
prisoner Is found guilty and condeatn
ed to die her execution will follow
speedily."
"Iloth fear a rescue, masterV" the
Jailer asked, alarm written on lilh
countenance.
" 'Ha hard telling what Intention
was lu the man's mind when he left,"
Taunslon replied soberly. "An we
were careless enough to let the pris
oner lie here a month or so uisyhup
the (oplnjay, safely surrounded by
armed followers, would ride back to
break down the door and bear the
witch away. But." as he saw the
pallor deepen on the old keeper's face,
"rest easy, Matthew, an' have faltli
In the council."
Having finished his discourse, he
turned his horse about.
"One moment stay thee," the jailer
cried eagerly, laying a detaining hand
on the horse's mane. "An" should this
knight find means of escape through
the forest and ride back to save his
lady, this old prison would offer but
poor resistance."
"With so much dispatch will the
council seel the woman's fate," Joslah
answered sternly, "that unless La Fa
bienae hath eagle's wings wherewith
to speed him on his travels he will ar
rive too late. Fare thee well, Mat
thew."
He started to ride away, then, pulling
rein, suddenly brought his animal to a
standstill.
"I a'most forgot to tell thee," he call
ed over his shoulder, "that the council
hath under advisement tße matter of
sending some other to remain with thee
until the day that thy prisoner hath
been freed or her doom sealed. God be
with thee, Matthew."
Futtlug spurs to his horse, he rode
away, and the keeper, calling his dog,
turned the great key in the lock and
entered the Jail.
The next morning, despite the fact
that a heavy mist hung over the moun
tain and a drizzling rain was falling,
the quiet village of Cragenstone pre
sented a scene of unusual activity.
From the various houses people were
Issuing on tholr way to the council hall,
gnd at the Hlgn of the lted Heart stern
faced Puritans from far distances were
arriving constantly, for the story of
Margaret's arrest had been passed
from mouth to mouth over the moun
tain, and In those credulous, supersti
tious times such a sensational event
as tho trial of a witch was the signal
for a general holiday. Shepherds left
tbelr flocks, housewives their spinning
wheels, the husbandman laid down hla
plow, and, donning their best attire,
they walked or rody to the scene of in
terest. So all the morning along the
roadways and before the various shops
in the village groups of newcomers ad
vanced or stood listening with mouths
agape to the startling and fearful tale*
told them by tho townspeople of "the
accurst woman's doings" and the suf
fering she bad caused those that had
come under her evil spell.
Precisely at the hour of noon, as the
rusty Iron be|| at the prison clanged
out the tidings that the time of Marga
ret's trial had arrived, tho chief coun
cilor and council, accompanied by two
judges from Sterndorf renowned on the
mountain for their knowledge of the
law, made tholr way through the great
fonctiurso uf people gathered before tho
jail. Trembling with excitement, old
Matthew threw open the door, and
they entered, walking slowly to tho
council chamber, followed nt u respect
ful distance by the assembled people,
Whq took seats quietly on the rough
wooden benches prepared for them.
When all were seated and the clang
lug of the bell had ceased, the chief
councilor rose and called loudly the
name of Matthew Allen.
Immediately the Jailer uppeared at
the door.
"Matthew Allen," he said In solemn
(ones, "I < all on thee hi the name of the
AH tytwwere turned toward the cnti'uae*.
king to produce the woman In thy
charge, oue Margaret Mayland, before
this tribunal, lirlng forth tho prison
er 1"
Amid a breathless silence he resumed
his seat.
Presently the grating noise of the
opening uud shutting of an Irou door
was lieard, then the sounds of footsteps
coming along the corridor. All eyes
were turned toward the entrance and
there was a rtpplo of excitement ami
deep Interest as the old keeper, leading
the prisoner, appeared In tho doorway.
Eugerly the spectators fixed their curl
ous glances on Margaret, who wore ii
plalu dress of black cloth unrelieved by
any color ur ornament save tin* gold
cross on her bosom, that shone brightly
ou Its fine gold chain. Her glittering
hair, brushed back smoothly, was coll
ed in a loose knot, and she walked with
drooping bead, her palo face wearing
an expression of suffering and hopeless
misery.
They advanced slowly, the Jailer find
lug difficulty In malting it wuy for them
through the crowded aisle, until they
came to an open space before Ihe coun
ell, where Matthew, seating Margaret
on a woodeu stool placed there fur ihe
purpose, left her. So Intense was the
stillness lu the room that the noise of
the fulling of a pin could have hewn
heard us the assemblage gazed at the
prisoner brought face to face with her
Judges and accusers und who now snt
a lone apart, her hands clasped togeth
er In bur lap, her proud head bent and
her blue eyes dull und heavy, their
gluncn not lifted from the floor.
Tbe chief councilor sat on u bench
surrounded by Ihe council, nnd back of
theui, seated ou woodeu stools, were
the witnesses and accusers. Joslali
Tauuston, summoned to serve In both
capacities, sat with his mother lu u
place of proinlnence and received a
Urge share of comment and curious at
tention. yea ted just beftya frltf in the
council was one of the visiting Judges j
from Sterudorf, who. after surveying |
Margaret's youth and beauty with as
tonishment, turned to Josiab, saying i
softly:
"By uiy faith, good sir, the m«.J is |
possessed of wondrous beauty and |
looks not like one that had sold her
soul to the devil."
Josiah's grim face darkened.
"Hist, limn! Look not her way, an' ,
put thy thoughts on holy things. To j
appear winsome is of her evil art: 'tis (
one of the first tricks she doth use to |
put folk under her spell. 'Tis well I
were here to warn thoe, friend."
The man turned about with a fright
ened expression and, fixing his glance
on the audience, kept it there.
Soon the chief councilor, in large
curled wig and loose gown of black,
rose to his feet.
"Margaret Mayland, rise."
The prisoner, without lifting her
eyes, obeyed his command.
"Margaret Mayland," he continued,
speaking with stern distinctness, "In
the name of the king, thou hath been
taken into custody and now brought to
trial on the following charges: Con
nivance with Satan In rebellion against
Ood, possessing a malevolent Influence
over human boiugs and supernatural
powers to Injure them, to read their
thoughts, to fascinate and barm by a
look, to control the elements and In
other w'ays most wicked to practice
the awful crimes of magic, black art
and witchcraft. Thine accusers state,"
he continued, "that already thou hast
wrought much suffering to thy neigh
bors in this village. Woman, hath
aught to say In thy defense?"
For the first time Margaret lifted
her eyes. "Good sir, of the charges
thou dost name I am not guilty," she
answered gently.
"Hast thou secured any one to ar
gue In thy defense, to plead for thee?"
he demanded.
"Nay, sir."
Her head fell forward, and she
clasped her hands together tightly.
"I—l have no friends hereabout,
save one old woman, who can do
naught but cry for me."
"Thou mayst be seated."
A murmur of deep Interest ran
through tho assemblage as the old
councilor said: "Councllmen, we will
proceed with the trial. Let tho first
witness be called."
He resumed his Beat with solemn
dignity, whllo the court crier, bris
tling with Importance, rose at once,
calling dramatically, "Josiali Taun
ston to the witness bench!"
CHArTER XXV.
as bis name was spoken thus loud
/m ly and suddenly Taunston turn
ed deathly white, and greut
beads of perspiration stood out
on his forehead. He attempted to rise,
but, feeling his legs unsteady under
him, resumed his seat; then, control
ling himself by a strong effort, again
rose and walked with his accustomed
&lr of ralm seriousness to the bench
set apart for the witnesses. The cblef
councilor addressed him solemnly:
"Josiab Taunston. doth thou promise,
knowing that a Just and revengeful
God beareth all thou wilt say, to speak
truth?"
"I do so solemnly promise."
Then n young attorney, who had been
appointed by the council to qucsUon
witliesses. stepped forward, taking a
place Just ljefore Margaret, who if she
heeded what was going on gave no
evidence of It, but sat motionless, with
lowered bead and eyes downcast.
"Joslali Tauuston," bo commenced
rapidly, addressing the witness, "as
the accusod hath secured no person to
defend her or to parley questions with
witnesses It will be proper for thee to
give thy evidence directly and with as
much speed as possible. Witness, what
occurrence between thee nnd the pris
oner Urst caused thee to think she was
In connivance with the devil T"
After mopping his brow with his
handkerchief and wetting his pale lips
with his tongue Joaluh spoke:
" Twas on a day sAoti after Marga
ret Mnylnnd's return to her estuto that
I went one morning to fetch my sister,
who bail been detained by the storm a
few day* at the bouse. As 1 approach
ed from the roadway mine ustonlshed
gaze fell upon my sister, usually a
maiden of great decorum, ruuulng like
• wild thing along tbe top of tho pas
ture wall, whilst the prisoner, with her
hair unbound tin' streaming I' the wind,
swung from tree to tree, laughing un'
chattering gleefully as ono bewitched.
My sharp cry of rebuke brought them
to their senses, and, greatly abashed
and crestfallen, they advanced quietly
to meet me. Hoping for some good In
fluence with my cousin, 1 entered the
house and stopped a short time to re
mouvtrate with lier for her unbecoming
behavior.
"1 also took occasion, iim I felt It my
duty, to rebuke her for wearing tor
ornament a papist cross that always,
no matter how frequent the changes lu
her dress, hung about her neck ou a
gold chain. 1 urged upon her the fact
that such a decoration wus distasteful
to all good Puritans and warned her
that if she persisted lu her headstrong
foolishness shn would bring upon her
self much suspicion an'distrust. Slid
denly, as 1 uttered the words, the chain
parted all' fell to the floor, where, lu
my righteous auger, I grasped It and
but for ihe woman's heartrending
•brinks an 1 shrill screams of agony,
thut I confess disarmed me, I would
have thrown It Into the fire!"
Here his narrative was interrupted
by loud murmurs of approval from tliu
sudience.
"For the uonce, under her spell, 1
returned the emblem to her with un
Willingness, an' thereupon, greatly dls
couraged and dlshenrtenod in mine
endeavors to lead the woman iuto bet
ter ways, I left tho house."
lie paused u moment for greater ef
fect; thou, throwing up his head sud
denly, said, with slow emphasis, "At
noon, councllmeu, with the same hand
that held that cross, being Innocent of
harm and having no thought of evil.
I fed tuy sheep, and before sundown
many of the uulmals were lying sick
of an unknown dlseuse!"
"Doth make u charge, witnessV"
asked the attorney.
"I charge that tho woiniiu la ac
curst; that the cross she wearotli even
now so brazenly ou her bosom Is u
witch insrk that coutalneth magic to
wreak harm to living creatures," be
answered harshly.
All glances were Axed ou Margaret,
who neither moVsd tier spoke.
"Continue, witness, an thou hast
more to say," tho cbtef councilor here
Interposed.
Joslali again molatyued his lips und,
with a nervous motion, ndjusted the
plain starchtwl ruff at bin throat.
"One evening somewhat later I' the
mouth at the time of the setting of the
huu 1 was walking through the forest
on my way to my home from tho vll
lago when I encountered this woman
most boldly dressed In n gay colored
frock cut lu an unseemly fashion to
expose her arms an' neck, made thus,
1 wot, to lure men to their destruction,
and, pausing before her, with only
tlioygbts for her good lu iny bjgrt, 1
attempted to expostulate with her.
when of a sudden inethought sparks of
fire flashed from her eyes! Hie nam*
of 'Godfrey' came In a shrill shriek
from her Hps, an', throwing her arms
about me in a fury, she held me as in
a vise with the unnatural strength of
ten men. For my very life I struggled
with her, strange noises sounding
about mine ears, confusing me; then
there was a loud report as of a burst
of thunder, an* I was surrounded by a
cloud of smoke that cleared away to
show standing before me the form of
the woman's accomplice. Sir Godfrey
I.A Fablenne!"
At the sound of that name the prison
er's body swayed as if with suffering,
and she cowered slightly, and from the
assemblage came cries, hisses and
groans.
"At the instant he appeared before
my vision," the witness continued In
harsh, even tones, "I was felled to the
ground by a fearful blow, an' when I
was able to stagger to my feet both
had disappeared. So strange and weird
was the incident and so dazed my mind
that i' truth I would ha' thought It was
all a dream and I bad been sleeping
had It not been for the strong stench
of sulphur an' powder that lay heavy
on the air, blood streaming from my
nostrils and the number o* birds dead
and dying that were strewn all about
me on the ground."
At the close of this speech the pris
oner, amazement and grief depicted on
her countenance, raised her eyes to the
face of her accuser with a glance that
contained the deepest reproach, and
the audience gave vent to Its repressed
excitement by loud whispers and wild
gesticulations.
"Joslah Taunston," here interposed
the young attorney, "hast thou other
evidence against the prisoner?"
"As thou can understand," the wit
ness replied, with a significant shrug
of his shoulders, "after that experi
ence I gave both the woman an' her
accomplice a good safe distance to play
their havoc In. But I can repeat much
evidence of trouble wrought amongst
my neighbors," he added eagerly.
"That would be hearsay evidence and
of no value. Thou canst be excused."
Joslah rose and, walking by Marga
ret with head well up, resumed his seat
by his mother.
"Henrietta Taunston to the witness
bench!"
A full minute passed, and, as no one
moved or came forward In response to
this call, all faces were turned In the
direction of Hetty Taunston, who, pale
faced and weeping, sat by the side of
Simon Kempster on one of the benches
placed nearest the door.
The court crier looked about him.
"Is the witness present?"
"Yea, yoa, sir!" came In cries from
the audience.
"See thy mother an' Joslah with their
eyes turned upon theo In anger, sweet.
Thou'd best go," urged Simon, squeez
ing her small band encouragingly.
" 'Twill do thee naught but harm to go
against their bidding. See, thy broth
er's whispering to the questioner now,
Instructing him mayhap to be easy wi'
thee. Go, Hetty. I wot 'twill be bet
ter for thee."
At the earnest solicitation of her lov
er Hetty rose and, making her way
slowly through the crowded council
room, reached the witness bench, where
she stood, oblivious to all tho curious
glances cast In her direction, regarding
Margaret's drooping figure with an
expression in her dark eyes of mourn
ful sympathy. Sharply rebuked for
her inattention by the chief councilor,
Hetty was Instructed to be seated, and
the young attorney took his place be
fore her.
"Henrietta Taunston,"he commenced,
wltli greut seriousness, "thou hast been
herein summoned ns a witness against
this woman Ma run ret Maylund on the
representations of thy fuuilly that thou
didst on several occasions come under
the bnleful lutluence of her spell. Hast
thou aught to say?"
"Oh, sir," Hetty fultered tearfully In
trembling tones, "although the evi
dence Is awful an' convincing, I can
not bring myself to think 111 of Mar
garet, who was ever most kind to me.
1 can think of her only aw my father's
sister's child—now both dead alone
among her accusers, forhakeu In her
hour of trouble by thu man she loved
uh, bow neurly, only one close to her,
us I ha' been, could give thee under
standing of It."
Bho began to aob bitterly.
"Have i»lty on her. If she hath done
auKht of wrong 'tla of the cross she
weureth, ou uccount of a promise, good
couudlmen, given her by a dying
papist, muyliap with a dying curse
breathed on It. Entreat her to destroy
It and let her go away," she cried
plteously.
HIT brother's face was black as
night, and he mit well forward on his
seat, glaring at Hetty savugely as If
he could strike her words back into
her throat. His mother, seeing his
agllutlou, plucked the sleeve of the at
torney who stood near her and whis
pered some Instructions In his ear.
When she finished be stepped forward
sternly, with uplifted hand.
"Enough, Henrietta Taunston! 'Tla
not thy place to plead for the prisoner,
but to give what evidence thou bust."
"Good sir, as 1 have promised to
tell tite truth before God," Hetty sob
bed, not daring to look towurd her
mother or brother, "I have never felt
any Influences of the evil spells at
tributed to her, but rather have 1 re
eel veil much kindness from sweet Mar
garet."
"Didst thou not one avenlug meet
(his woman tho accused—ou the road
and pass her by with averted face in
obedience to thy mother's command?"
"I dM. sir."
"And did she not In her anger stand
rigid, fixing her baleful glance upon
thee so thut thou didst run with all haste
to thy homo, falling In n fit on the tloor
at thy brother's feet, where thou didst
ltv like u creature possessed by the
devil, foaming ut the mouth and mov
ing convulsively?"
lu her excitement Hetty uliuost rose
from her seat.
"Nay. sir, nay," she cried earnestly.
"Thou hath a wrong Impression obtain
ed from evil tongues. 'Tla true that
t met Margaret, l>ut her glance was
not baleful, but, oh, sirs," lifting her
toarful, supplicating face toward the
tribunal, "'twas so sad that my heart
hath not stopped aching since with tho
memory of It! An' believe that 'twas
not our meeting that caused my swoon
Ing, but the news brought"—
Here Josluh Taunston, uuable to con
trol himself any lopger, ipse from his
seat, xVnite fftqufj writhful.
"I (!o proclaim wjtness now to
be under the (pell 6f the prisoner." l"e
cried lu a loud voice hastily lu his do
sire to slop her further utterances,
"who was ever wont to influence my
sister easily, and do artlrm that she la
not responsible for what testimony she
glveth."
Immediately there wos a great Up
roar and wild excitement in the coun
cil hull. Hetty, frightened at her
brother's violence and bewildered by
the confusion, rose from her seat, and,
.while the attorney consulted with the
couavUmn and J94U11 ffMWfee
No. ai.
the advisability of questioning her fur
ther, the witness, regardless of conse
quences, made her way hastily to Si
mon Kempster and, sinking Into her
place by his side, laid her face against
his coat sleeve, sobbing bitterly.
The gaping auditors eyed her curi
ously, entertaining themselves with
coarse comments on her evident fond
ness for her lover and sneers for her
sorrow at the prisoner's predicament.
Suddenly there was a loud rapping for
order. The council, having decided not
to recall Iletty, made the fact known,
and when all again was quiet the Wid
ow Dawson, whose child had died of
convulsions, was on the witness bench
giving nn account of that night's ex
periences.
Time and the constant repetition of
this story to the credulous, awe struck
people of the community had caused It
to lose none of its interest, so that the
tale the woman related In a low, dis
tinct voice was supernatural in the ex
treme and grewsome in Its horrible de
tails. The superstitious listeners, eager
ly drinking in every word the widow
uttered, expressed their sympathy for
her and their fear and detestation of
the prisoner, who continued through it
all to sit silently with bowed bead and
clasped hands, by giving vent to louder
murmurings of anger and cries for
vengeance. v
Other accusers followed, each with a
tale of some harm having befallen her
after pussiug or coming in contact with
the young mistress of Mayland farm,
so that the afternoon was wearing to
a close when the last and most lmpor- *
tant witness, old Adam Browdle, the
goldsmith, was called to give his testi
mony. The old man, whose grief at {he
loss of Christopher was deep and sin
cere and who honestly attributed the
lad's tragic death to the supernatural
powers of Margaret Mayland, contain
ed in the "accurst cross of gold," told
his story minutely, giving every detail
from the moment the cross was brought
to his little cabin to tho end, with
streaming eyes and quavering voice,
growing stern and tragical as he de
scribed the storm, weeping tears of ag
ony as he told of the finding of the
body; then, suddenly winding up his
long and terrible tale, lie fell on hit
knees and, raising his arms to heaven,
called God's vengeance on the prisoner.
As he was led, trembling and ex
hausted, to his seat loud talking was
heard In the audience, those assembled C
glaring at the pale faced prisoner with
hatred in their eyes. The chief coun
cilor rapping for order, a silence fell
upon the crowded room that lasted,
with an occasional interruption, for a
long half hour while tho tribunal delib
erated.
At last the chief councilor rose and,
walking with solemn majesty to the
railing that separated the council from
the audience, addressed tho prisoner:
"Margaret Mayland, rise."
With a little fluttering sigh Margaret
rose and, raising her eyes, looked into
his stern, hard face steadily.
"Woman," he said, "although thou
hast denied guilt of the wicked crimes
attributed to thee, I do announce that*
after a patient hearing of all the awful
happenings that have occurred Is this
hitherto peaceful and God loving com
munity since thine advent here and
after having accorded thee a legal trial
of much fairness, this tribunal doth
find the charges true and doth pro
nounce theo guilty of tho blackest
crime on the calendar, alloglance to the
devil and rebellion against God. There
fore, Margaret Mayland, even as our
Lord hath commanded that the wicked
spirits of sinners be burned perpetually
after death, so do I, by the king ap
"Margaret Mayland, rltt."
pointed to sit in Judgment of evil doers,
with humble prayers for guidance to
order wisely, command that at such
time as this council now assembled
shall designate, thy body, containing
tills black and evil spirit, also the ac
curst cross that thou doth In thy per
verse wickedness persist in wearing
ou thy bosom, be burned at a stake by
the scourgo of flrel"
There was a breathless silence in tho
room while tho chief councilor was
speaking, tliu assemblage sitting, whits
faced and trembling, looking at Judgs
Mini prisoner.
'•Prisoner, hath thou augbt to say—
any reasons to urge why this sentenco
should not be pronounced upon theo?"
The fair young mistress ot the May
laud farm, who but a week before was
so beloved and loving, winsome and
happy, now stood alone, broken heart
ed, forsaken, a mourning figure In her
gown of black, looking at the cold, un
sympathetic faces of her accusers with
sad, appealing eyes.
"Good sirs," she answered slowly,
with gentle, impressive solemnity, "an
thou would confer u favor on a friend
less maltl whose every living hour doth
brlug her naught but keenest suffering,
thou would set her death day spsedily."
fro nil rorfTiifurn.l
A TRIP TO A ttIAK.
Thr Atra of Time 1« W«»W Take o*e
tu llrncla OnUwi.
"Let us suppose a railway to h* v *
been built between tho earth and the
fixed star Centaurl," said a lecturer,
"liy n consideration of this railway's
workings we can get some Idea of the
enormous distance that Intervenes be
tween Centaurl and us,
"Suppose that I should decide to
take a (rip ou this new aerial line to
the fixed star. I ask the ticket agent
what the fare Is, and ho answers:
•• "ilie fare is very low, sir. It Is
only a cent each hundred miles.'
" 'And what, at that rate, will the
through ticket one way cost?' I ask.
" 'lt Will cost Just 12,780,f100,000,' he
answers.
"I pay for my ticket and board tho
train. We set off at a treuieudous rate.
•• liow fast,' 1 ask the brakeman,
'are we going?'
" 'Hlxty miles au hour, sir,' Bays he,
•and it's a through train. There are no
stoppages.'
"'We'll soon be there, then, wont
weV 1 resume.
" 'We'll make good time, sir,' says
the brakeman.
" 'And when will wo arrive?'
•"In Just 48,<168,000 years.'
delphla Bulletin^