The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-28
CHAPTER x.-continued.

Frances jeffrey.
why is your brother not in your
place." !
My brother was sorely wounded the
morning he set out and now lies between
life and death in our home
'.How came he wounded?'
''He met Lord Rudby, who attacked him
My brother would not defend himself, and
so was thrust thru the body. Armstrong
brought him to our house, and the doctor
says he cannot be moved for a month at
least
why was not informed Of ths?"
II did not know where to find YOU"
you wench, surely did not know where
to find me, but your brother knew that
message to his nearest superior would ind
me-"
MY brother, I have told you, was dan
gerously wounded and had but one thing
in his mind"
What was that? Lord Rudby's daugh-
ter most like -
The rich color mounted in the cheeks of
Frances but she answered slowly:
git was to have done with the task you
had set upon him.
He, committed it to your hands
them"
He did, ~. --.
What was the task 1 set him?''
1T was to steal from Armstrong the
kings commission, and to deliver the re-
uult of that theft to General Cromwell, the
receiver --,
"Wench. your tongue is over-sharp; a
grievous fault pray you amend it.
The shaggy broWs of Cromwell drew
down over eyes that shot forth dull fire.
He turned completely around, seemed
about to speak but did not The fame OF
his glance died out, and he advanced to
the table, picked up the pass, examining
1t critically, back and front. Then he
handed it to her, saying slowly:
brother without
your tongue, he would advance faster than
be does. a.,
Am I, then, to go on with this adven-
ture?"
Yes. You will reach Oxford tomorrow.
The king will delay, and smile and suspect
until our Scot is in a fine fume of impa
tience. For three days more I shall be in
Northampton. After that for a week
shall be at Broughton Castle. some few
miles west of Banbury. If you should be
know where I am by means of de Courcy,
who"
DE Courcy!' exclaimed the girl He
is devils man, body and soul"
We who are doing the Lords work
must use the tools the Lord has placed in
our hands," said Cromwell You must
contrive to have Armstrong stop in Ban
bury after you leave Oxford. You will
60 to the Banbury Arms. The innkeeper
will ask you for your pass, and when he
sees 1t he will place you in adjoining
rooms, which are fitted up for your pur-
pose There Is a communicating door,
bolted on your side. What follows will
depend on your skill and quietness.
Make 1t your business to know where
ne keeps the kings letter, and when It is
Broushton Castle and deliver it into my
hands. I will exchange it for full par
don and a captains commission for your
brother, and If you have further to ask
of me my ear will be inclined toward
you"
II shall have nothing to ask except that
this Scot be allowed to pass unscathed to
his home"
Cromwell gazed intently at her for a
moment He replied slowly: IF I were
willing to harm the Scot the case would
be much simpler than it is. Remember
this: If I am compelled to take this man
thru force Of arms, to surround him with a
troop and publicly wrench his burden from
him, must as publicly hang him, to warn
the next Scot who would make an essay
on Oxford. If you succeed, you save no:
only your brothers life but this mans as
well. Now 60"
She walked to the head of the stair and
looked down where Armstrong was pacing
to and fro, waiting for her.
What time do set out to morrow?'
she asked.
Whenever you please" he answered
MY nOStS mere appear 10 nave SrOWl
weary of me and hold me not so they in
form me-"
Very we'll, then. 7 shall be ready wher
you are. Good night .-..
In all his life he never forgot that pic
ture of the girl at the starhead looking
down upon him. There was a patheti,
droop in her attitude. which usually wa
so firm and erect Childlike and forlori
she seemed. and pity swept his heart.
Good night" he cried, impulsivel,
holding out his hand toward her. She dit
not touch it. He almost imagined tina
she shrank from it, But as she turne
away he had one lingering look from he
over her shoulder A smile fingered Of
her lips, and it sad and weary, bu
sweet.
a, Good night" she whispered.
1t was with gay heart that Willar
Armstrong Jared forth with his compario
from Northampton next morning, and h
sang. ballads when they rode out into tn
open country. Had it not been for he
mission the world would have seemed a
bright to the girl, for the high spirits c
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