The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-07
BOB. BY Robert Barr.)

little. i do not wish to see you until
your hair Is grown again. My Scottish
Samson, you must come to me with flow
ing locks as when first saw you, SO that
may forget 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.
"Good-by. good-by, good-by." she cried,
breathlessly, whisked herself from him
and was gone, never looking back, but |
waving her hand as she rode. He sat mo-
tionless as she had left him. At the top |
Of the distant hill, outlined against the
dark sky, she drew in and stood. Dinly |
he saw the f1utter Of something while in |
her waving hand, and he drew from his
breast her own handkerchief and waved in
return. He pressed his hands across his
eyes. and when he saw more clearly only
the blank sky and the bare hilltop con-
fronted him.
Now, curse the man who tries to stop
me- growled Armstrong thru his set
teeth. II have been too mild with these
ruff1ans. I'll break him across the pom
mel Of my saddle as If he We're rotten
spear ~.
| The rain began to fall once more, as
he passed again thru Kirby Stephen, but
he paid slight heed to it, and pushed on
( to Penrith, where he bought days prov
make request for food 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. He turned aside from the main
road, and before the 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 peacefully.
In the morning the rain was again fall
| ing steadily. He reconnoitered his posi-
ton. There was no dwelling near and
| he. determined to let his horse rest all
that day and the next night, so that he
| should be in trim for anything that might
! happen when the pinch came. A day
more or less could make little difference
with the effectual guarding of the bridge
which was now doubtless held as strongly
as it could be. He was convinced that
success must depend ultimately on the
| speed Of his horse and he could not enter
| the contest with an exhausted animal
| Black Bruce was never so carefully
| tended as on the day before the crisis
and as his intelligent head turned toward
| his master he seemed to know that some
| thing unusual was afoot. On the second
day Armstrong thought it best not to
enter Carlisle too early in the morning.
He wished to mingle with a crowd and
| not to ride the streets alone. The second
| night in the barn, with the rest of the
day and night before, had left both him
| self and his horse fit to face anything
that might ensue. The day was fine; the
clouds had cleared away and the sun was
shining on the sodden ground. When he
came in sight Of the main road he saw
what appeared to be an army marching
north. He halted at the cross road, in
doubt regarding his next move. The men,
in long line, were on foot, trudging sui
lenly, YEARLY along, water soaked and
mud covered No
seemed to take an interest in anything but
the dismal work in hand. Far on toward
the gates of Carlisle rode a group of
horsennen, and at the rear another squad
Of mounted men encouraged the laggards
to keep up for a little longer. Armstrong
sat on his horse until the latter COM
pany was abreast of him.
THAT is Carlisle ahead, hope" said
one Of the officers.
Yes answered Armstrong. "Is this
the Manchester contingent?"
| yes. Brutal weather we've had"
groWled the officer
1T was that" assented William cheer
fully, falling into line with them; 'but it
seems on the mend"
Aye, now that our march Is finished"
"Oh, you are likely to go further afield,
across country, when you reach Carlisle"
Il suppose so,' replied the officer gruff-
ly. not too good-natured over the
|
who he was, and the elaborate fic-
ton he had prepared to account for him
self was not called for. The troopers
were worn out by their contest with the
elements and the roads, and all curiosity
| was dead in them. There stood Carlisle
In front, and that was enough. The foot
soldiers struggled on in no definite order
OF formation, each doing the best he could.
T The officers rode silent behind them. Thus
t they all marched into Carlisle without
: question:, and in their company the man
the army was seeking. After a slight de-
, lay and pause in the streets, the new
r troops moved on to the castle. Armstrong
found no difficulty in falling behind. be-
3 ing thus free of the town. He knew every
. turn of every street and lane in the place
as we'll as he knew the inside of his own
r pocket. He resolved to ride leisurely tC
the bridge, cut thru the guard, if 1t die
t not prove too strong, and then trust t.
= the spur. The town was thronged with
f military but no one paid the slightes
s attention to him. AS he logged alons
/ very nonchalantly, more contented will
:, the prospect than few days before hi
r would have thought possible, Black Bruce
awake the echoes by neighing loudly.
r Now, old man, what did you do tina
n for?' whispered William. He looked ahead
: and was stricken speeches. for the mo
s ment by seeing Frances Wentworth OF
her horse, without doubt a prisoner two
S troopers riding on either side of her, ane
. a young officer in front. She had unques
4 tionably seen him, for her brow was wrin
u killed. with anxiety, but her eyes gazet
q steadily past him into the distance. A
he made toward the party they flashed
b. one look Of appeal upon him, which sait
t as plainly as words For Heavens sake
: ride on and do not recognize me-" but tn,
}. young man was oblivious to everythin,
S exceut the fact that she was in som
n trouble. r. .--.,..
Where are you going with this lady 2
he demanded of the officer. H..
You may well ask said the man IL
no accent of pleasure. I'VE have com
across country to, Carlisle under order
from one authority, and now we mus
hale her back to Durham, where Genera
Cromwell Is stationed and those ar.
the orders Of someone else"
"But it Is all mistake cried viii
liam. f
That's what am telling YOU" sal
the man, with short laugh.
This lady is sister Of Captain Went
worth of our army"
80 she says. Others say she IS tn
woman who was with the Scotch rene
gade. I know nothing Of it, and care less
I obey orders
'Sir,' said Frances, coldly, 'I beg 70
not to interfere. It is a mistake that wi
be explained in due time, but these me
must do as they are told. That much 70
should know
Altho her words were spoken harshl