The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-29
CHAPTER xvl.-contlnued.


Challenge.
During the day Armstrong was privi-
legged in securing one brief interview
with Frances. The landlord had placed
two rooms at her disposal. and in the
scantily furnished parlor the young man
had called upon her. The Improvement
she had affirmed the evening before was
scarcely borne out by her appearance, for
she was wan and dispirited SO much so
that when Armstrong announced the dis
appearance Of Captain Rudby, the tidings
did not seem to depreSS her more than was
already the case.
All during the night she had pondered
on some way OF escape from the web of
conspiracy in which he and she were inter-
woven, but In vain.
She wished him with her, for his strong
presence Gained her. yet wished him far
away that he might escape the tolls In
which she was to hold him to save her
brothers life. Here was a mutability in
deed for the daughter of imperious STRAIT
ford!
On the third day of his stay in Oxford
De Courcy still bewailed the indisposition
Of the king. and, to pass the til.le away,
suggested that Armstrong stroll around
the fortified tons.
Shortly after they set out De Courcy in
troduced him to an officer who was to be
his guide and excused himself because
of the kings illness.
AS the two were out of sight. De
Courcy fastened to the inn and knocked
at Frances Wentworths door. The girl,
who expected a different caller babe him
enter and soon as he was in the room he
locked it and put the key in his pocket.
She reiterated to the other room, but
reappeared in a moment with a jewelled
dagger in her hand.
The Frenchman smiled and waved his
white hands gracefully. May 1 sit down, -
he asked suavely, and if put this table
between US; viii you feel b 2
mains between US answered she angrily
He laughed ironically. you are entire
~ in my power. Your man, the awkward
Scot, I shall have hanged out of hand as
a spy. I myself will plead for your own
life and they will agree. Will you make
terms with me?''
THAT will I not" she said in a ringing
voice.
You prefer the dungeon?'
You dare not put me there"
"Why?"
Your master will not permit it,
MY dear" said the Frenchman, smiling
fndulgently, 'let me put quietus forever
on your mad idea that help is to be eX-
pected from the king. Do you know what
the king thinks of you?"
He does not think Of me at ALL He
has forgotten me-"
Pardon, there you are mistaken. He
thinks you went to Whitehall the day OF
your fathers death to assassinate him
He believes that I imperiled my life tc
save him. The scars of your claws, how
ever repulsive they may be to others, are
to him a constant reminder that tnaper-
He'd my life to save his. Need l say
more?"
mo! But you need pay better heed to
what I say
n
II said that your master would not per-
nit you to injure me-
But have shown you that the king
II am not speaking Of the king; I am
speaking Of your master, Oliver Crom
WelI!'' 49,.
Either the red cross on his face became
redder or the sudden pallor Of his other
features made it appear so. He moistened
his lips and gazed at her with fear creep
ing into his eyes,
What do you expect to gain by making
10 absurd a statement?' he asked at last
Cromwell told me in Northampton thai
If I met difficulty in Oxford you, his spy
would assist me-
Good God!''
aye, good God! You see now that youl
peril is greater than mine. I have but tt
smite at this window, crying, I am thu
daughter Of Lord STAFFORD, help me, fo
mere am, CdSeu WILL u l. ACliNii opJ "A'
has sold king and comrades for Cromwell
gold
I'm Gods name, woman, do not speak 81
loud. I did but jest when spoke OF mo
Testing you"
II am in no jest1ng mood"
you need not tell me that Tell m
what you wish and shall further your do
signs"
IT refuse to make terms with you. Blu
r will Give Won NV commands. You wi
take Armstrong to the king and cease t
block his way. You will see that we re
main unmolested In Oxford and leave 1t
walls freely when we choose. Coz