The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-09-13


had the heather afire years ago. A
man may daWner about Scotland all
his life, hungry and athirst, cold and
in rags, getting fewer kickshaws than
kicks. none paying heed or anything
else to him. but let him die the death
of a martyr and his tired bones are
more potent than ten thousand live
men, Ma sang. I'd like to see We hang
mel There's poor TarqUair at his
wits end for encouragement, through
dissensiOn among the people and their
leaders. You hang me and you've
done the trick for him."
Cromwell leaned back in his chair,
his lids partially closed, but they could
not veil the look of admiration he
cast upon the man standing before
him, who spoke enthusiastically of his
own execution, as if il were rather a
good joke on his opponent. For some
moments the general kept silence, and
then he said. abruptly:
will you take a commission in my
army?''
Il will not"
Il thought you were a fighter"
II am, but 1 prefer to engage under
Traquair's banner if he raises it."
Against me-"
Just that"
And you think will let you go?"
tn take my oath on it."
You are right The way is clear
to Scotland, to Oxford or where you
please. What have you come to me
for?
For Frances Wentworth"
Il thought as much. In this 1 can
not oblige you. With you have moth
ing to do, and you are at liberty. The
wench Of Wentworth's stands on diff
ferent footing, inasmuch as she has
proved traitor to her own. shall do
nothing to iniure her. but she shall
taste captivity until she confesses her
error"
she is no traitor. but did well the
work you set for her"
7 set no work for her. Twas given
to her brother, and his folly brought
her into the business"
You gave your consent at North
amptOn. thus 7 say you set her to the
task, and well she performed it. If
your men had done your bidding as
faithfully, L had never crossed the
Eslx"
She cOnnived at your escape from
Lichfeld. and elsewhere"
True; but she was a free woman
then, having fulfilled her duty to you"
You are quibbling. She is a traitor.
and, more honest than you, she ad-
mits it,"
Il say she is a true woman" cried
Armstrong, red anger flushing his
brow. The hot Border blood sprang
into mastery for the first time during
their controversy and he failed to note
that Cromwell remained cold as at the
beginning, and might be negotiated
with. if he had remembered the com
manders resolve to enlist the Scot in
his service. But before the general
I L. emna
petuosity Of the younger man left him
only the choice of killing the Scot
where he stood, or apparently succumb-
ing to him. most dangerous alter
native. had Armstrong to deal with
one less schOoled in the repression OF
his feelings than Cromwell The ill
advised Borderer dropped his hat ST.
lently to the floor flashed forth his
sword and presented it at his oppo-
nents throat.
They tell me you wear concealed
armour" His voice was quiet in its
intensity, almost a whisper. But that
will not help you No human power
can avail you at this moment. for if
you cry out. my blade advances and "a
bit of your backbone sticks to it. You
see. ] cannot help myself. but must
kill you unless get your promise"
Cromwell sat rigid, not a muscle OF
held as steady as a beam Of the roof.
II imDlore you to heed me-" contin-
ued the young man, seeing the other
did not intend to speak. Il implore
YOU. as if 1 We're on my Blended knees
before you and my life i'm your hands
instead of yours i'm mine. VIII you let
the great affairs of state be jeOpardized
to thwart two lovers? With you slain,
the king wins. for there is none in
England can fill your place. Have You
sons and daughters of your own that
your heart goes out 10? Think Of them
and be kind TO us"
viii YOU marry the grip"
Surely. surely.
Here. before you depart together
Here and now. if there is one to
knot us"
You know that a promise given I'M
der coercion does not hold?"
"Well ] know Ct. but the word Of
General Cromwell is enough for me,
once it is passed. however given
Then take down your sword:
promise, and am well 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 moonit
windows and the table. He paused in
his march, looked up at the dim gallery
and said
cobb. come down
To Armstrong; amazement. who
thought he had been alone with the
general, he heard lurching heavy
steps come clamping down the wooden
stair. and n trooper, with primed mus
lzet in his hand. stood before his mas
ter
Cobb why did YOU not shoot this
fuan dead when Won saw him dra W his
sword?"