Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-08
CHAPTER XIV.
Victory.

little chance or success. with animals So
tired and discouraged With the exception
of the departure from Oxford, the riders
were more silent and melancholy than at
any other time during their journey togeth-
err They had discussed the case in all its
bearings the previous night, before the
blazing fire, and had come to the conclu-
sion that 1t would be safer to part. Arm
strong was now in a country that he knew
reasonably well, and he had no need to
ask his direction from any chance conner,
which was an advantage to a fugitive. They
had agreed to defect toward the east, and
bid goodbye to each other at Kirby Stephen,
he striking northwest to Penrith and she
taking the main road east, entering Durham
at Barnard Castle. There was no blinking
the fact that while parlimentarian trooper
might pass through this land unquestioned,
especially many soldiers We're making
their way north, trooper with beautiful
young woman of aristocrauc appearance
would certainly cause comment and excite
curiosity. The nearer they came to Carlisle
the greater would be the danger of embar
RAISING questions. They had wild country
to traverse, bleak hills and moorland: the
roads as bad they could be, and although
they left 'Clitheroe at o'clock, it was past
noontide before they reached Kirby Ste
phen, distance of less than forty miles.
morning section of the journey con
cerned the road to Scotland clear
enough At the squaltd inn of Kirby
Stephen they partook of what each thought
was their last meal together for a long time
to come, and then in spite of her protests,
he accompanied her east out of the town
and into the lonely hill country. At last she
pulled up her horse and impetuously thrust
out her right hand. daShing away some
teardrops from her long lashes with her
left.
Goodbye" she cried. the broken voice
belieing the assumed Cheerfuness of the
ILL, f,,,.
You must now bid farewell to your scout"
Dear lass, it breaks my heart to part
with you in this way" stammered William,
ingulfing her small hand in both of his, then
drawing her to him. 1t ShameS my man
hood to let you go this wild road alone. I
must see you to your own door, in spite of
all the Cromwells that ever broke their
Country's laws"
mo. no." she pleaded. I'VE went over
all that last night and settled 1t. 1 am
safe enough. 1t is you who are in danger
You will come to me when this trouble is
passed and done with
by Saint Andrew, I'll come to you as
soon as this letter is in Traquairs hands,
Again. no, Cromwell is hard man,
and If you steal through his Gordon YOU
must not come within his power in a
hurry
No fear lass, he dare not touch me. |
Once my foot's in Scotland I'm like that
ancient chap you told me of. draw virtue |
from the soil, and am unassailable Crom- |
well wants nothing of me when this packet |
escapes him. I'll turn back from Traquair
the moment l give 1t to him..
Il do not permit such folly. remember
that" She wept a little then laughed |
little. Il do not wish to see you until |
your hair is grown again. My Scottish |
Samson, you must come to me with flowing |
locks, when l first you, so that l |
may forget l have been your Delilah.''
For answer he kissed her protesting lips |
again and again, then she hid her face In |
his somber cloak and sobbed quietly. The |
patient horses, now accustomed to any |
vagaries on the part of their owners stood |
quietly close together.
Goodbye. goodbye. goodbye" she |
cried. breathlessly, whtsked herself from |
waving her hand as she rode. He sat |
motionless she had left him. At the |
top of the distant hill. outlined against |
the dark sky, she drew In and stood |
Dimly he saw the fiutter of something |
white in her waving hand, and he drew
from his breast her own handkerchief and |
waved in return. He pressed his hand |
across his eyes, and when he saw more |
clearly only the blank sky and the bare
hilltop confronted him. |
Now curse the man who tries to stop |
me-, growled Armstrong through his set |
teeth. II have been too mild with these |
ruffanS III break him across the pOmlnel |
OF my saddle as II he were a rotten spear"
The rain began to fall once more he |
passed again through Kirby Stephen, but |
he paid slight heed to 1t, and pushed on to |
der. that he would have no need to make |
request for food as he neared the danger |
spot. Just before darkness set IN the sky |
cleared somewhat, and he saw ahead OF |
him the gloomy bulk of Carlisle Castle. lie |
turned aside from the main road, and be- |
fore night became black found quarters |
for himself IN barn that contained some |
fodder for his horse. He threw himself |
down on the fragrant hay and slept peace |
fully.
In the morning the rain was again fall |
ing steadily. He reconnoitered his position. |
There was no dwelling near and he deter
mined to let his horse rest all that day and |
the next night that he should be In |
trim for anything that might happen when |
the pinch came: day more or less could |
make little difference with the effectual |
guarding of the bridge. which was now |
doubtless held as strongly 1t could be. |
He was convinced that success must de- |
pend ultimately on the speed of his horse. |
and he could not enter the contest with an |
exhausted animal. Black Bruce was never |
80 carefully tended on the day before |,
the crisis. and his intelligent head turn |
ed toward his master, he seemed to know |
that something unusual was afoot. On
the second day Armstrong thought 1t best |
not to enter Carlisle too early in the morn
Ing. He wished to mingle with a crowd and |
not ride the streets alone. The second
night in the barn. with the rest of the day
and night before, had left both himself
and his horse fit to face anything that
might ensue. The day was fine; the clouds
on the sodden ground. When he came in
sight OF the main road he saw what ap-
peared to be an army marching north. He
halted at the cross road, in doubt regard
ing his next move. The men, in a long
line, were on foot, trudging sullenly, wear
lily along, water soaked and mud covered.
No man looked up or seemed to take an
interest in anything but the dismal work
in hand. Far on toward the gates of Car
Isle rode a group of horsemen and at the
rear another squad of mounted men en-
couraged the lagards to keep up for a
little longer. Armstrong sat on his horse
until the latter company was abreast of
him.
That Is Carlisle ahead. I hope" said one
OF the officers.
Yes" answered Armstrong. us this the
Manchester contingent?'
Yes. Brutal weather we've had" growl-
ed the officer.
1T that" assented William cheer
fully falling into line with them; but 1t
seems on the mend"
AYE, now that our march Is finished"
"Oh. you are likely to go farther afield
across country. when you reach Carlisle"
L suppose So" replied the officer gruffiy
not too good natured over the prospect
No one asked Armstrong who he
was, and the elaborate fiction he
had prepared to account for him
self was not called for. The troopers were
N h hot