The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-10
CHAPTER xxVI-Contlnued
MatrImony.

CHAPTER xxVI-Continued.
MatrImony.
Cromwell sat rigid, not a muscle Of face
or body moving. The sword was held as
steady as a beam Of the roof.
IT impored you to heed me-" continued
the young man, seeing the other did not
intend to speak. II implore you, as II l
were on my Bonded knees before you, and
my life In your hands, instead OF yours IN
mine. Will you let the great aftalrs OF
state be jeopardized to thwart two loVersf
With you slain, the king wins Tor there IS
none in England can fill your place. have
you sons and daughters of your own that
your heart goes out to? Think of them,
and be kind to u.s.
Twill you marry the girl?"
"Surely, surely. ~
Here and now, if there is one to knot
"You know that a promise given under
coercion does not hold?'
''Well know it; but the word of Gen
eral Cromwell is enough for me- once II
is passed. however given.
''Then take down your sword; PROMISE
and am we'll rid Of you BOTH
With a deep sigh of relief Armstrong
sheathed his sword and lifted his hat from
the floor Cromwell rose from his chair
and paced twice up and down the long
room between the great moonlit windows,
and the table. He paused IN MS march'
looked up at the dim gallery and said:
Cobb, come down. .. 49,.
To Armstrong; amazement, VINO
thought he had been alone with the gen
eral. he heard lurching heavy steps come
claiming dawn the wooden stair, and a
trooper, with primed musket IN his hand,
stood before his master.
"Cobb, why did you not shoot this man
dead when you saw fdm draw his sWord!
Because, Excellency, you did not give
the signal
eff I had, what then?'
"IIe was a dead man before he could
move an arm, or your, finger was on the
table again.
"You have done we'll. That is what !
like. exact obedience, and no panic, keep
your lips closed. Go and tell your colo1lel
to come here
The man withdrew, and Cromwell re-
sumed his walk, making no comment on
the brief dialogue. William blew a long
whistle, then he laughed a little.
When the colonel came in CrromWell
turned to him and said:
'Is that malignant braWler, chaplain to
Lord Rudby, in the cells yet?"
eyes, excellency."
''Tell your men to clear out the chapel
at once and light it. There are some
stores in it, I think, and bring the rever-
end graybeard to me"
accompanied by an aged clergyman who
despite his haggard and careworn look and
bent shoulders, cast glance of hatred al
the general which seemed to entitle him
to the epithet Cromwell had bestowed
upon him. To this silent defiance Crom-
we'll paid no attention, but said to him:
..Sir, you may earn your liberty tonight
by marrying two young people in the
chapel"
THAT will not" returned the clergy.
man stoutly, land all your tyranny canno
compel me to do So"
"The wench," continued Cromwell, I'm
moved, ''you already know. She is Fran
ces Wentworth daughter Of the late Ear
of STAFFORD. The groom stands here be-
fore you; William Armstrong, a Scot, VIII;
had but lately carried a message from thu
man Charles at Oxford to Traquair on thu
border. should hang him, but he prefer!
the moose you can tie to the one my hands
might prepare"
The old clergyman looked at Armstrong
with an interest he had not displayed OF
entering the room.
''Have you, then, seen his gracious maj
esty, the king?"
Eyes, reverend sir, and but a few day
ago."
And carried his message safe thr,