Evening star., 1903-07-04

to her. saying slowly:
IF your brother had your brain without
your tongue. he would advance faster than
he does"
Am l. then, to go on with this adven-
ture?'
Yes. You will reach Oxford tomorrow
The king will delay and shuttle and suspect
until our Scot Is in a fine fume of impa-
Northampton After that for week 1 shall
be at Broughton Castle, some few miles
west Of Banbury. If you should be delayed
longer in Oxford. I shall let you know
DE Courcy!" exclaimed the girl. He Is
devils man. body and SOUL
1--WE who are doing the Lords work must
hands" said Cromwell. You must con-
trive to have Armstrong stop in Banbury
after you leave Oxford. You will go to the
Banbury Arms The inkeeper will ask you
for your pass and when he sees 1t he will
place you in adjoining rooms. which are
fitted for your purpose. There is COM
municating door. bolted on your side. What
follows will depend on your skill and quiet
ness.
Make 1t your business to know where
he keeps the kings letter and when it is
cnce In your possession, speed at once to
BroughtOn Castle and deliver it into my
hands. l will exchange IT for a full par
don and a captains commission for your
brother. and If you have further to ask OF
me my ear will be inclined toward YOU"
II shall have nothing to ask except that
this Scot be allowed to pass ~unscathed to
his home"
Cromwell gazed intently at her for mo-
ment. He replied slowly. If were willing
to harm the Scot the case would be much
simpler that it is. Remember this; If l
am compelled to take this man through
force of arms TO surround him with troop
and publicly wrench his burden from him,
l must as publicly hang him, to warn the
pnyt hnr NIL ,ly1,, nxy
ford. If you succeed, you save not only
your brothers life, but this mans as well.
Now CO.
She walked to the head of the stair and
looked down where Armstrong was pacing
to and fro. waiting for her.
What time do we set out tomorrow
she asked.
Whenever you please" he answered
MY hosts here appear to have grown
weary of me and hold me not, SO they In
form me-
Very well, then. shall be ready when
you are. Good night"
In all his life he never forgot that picture
of the girl at the stairhead looking down
upon him. There was a pathetic droop in
her attitude, which usually was so firm and
erect. Childlike and forlorn she seemed
and pity swept his heart.
Good night!' he cried, impulsively hold
Ing out his hand toward her. She did not
shrank from it. But as she turned away
he had one lingering look from her over her
shoulder. A smile fingered on her lips. and
1t was sad and weary, but sweet.
Good night" she whispered.
1t was with a gay heart that William
Armstrong Jared forth with his compani N
from northampton next morning, and he
sang ballads when they rode out into the
open country. Had it not been for her mis-
sion the world would have seemed as bright
to the girl for the high spirits of the young
man were infectious. But as il was, she
rode silent and thoughtful all day, till they
reached Banbury, where they lay over
night.
The next morning, leaving Old John be,
hind with Cromwells pass, they started on
the last stage of their journey toward Ok
ford.
THE first thing to decide" said Arm
strong before they had been riding long,
lis to decide on what guise you are to en-
ter Oxford in. People will be curious and
We cannot pass as brother and sister be-
cause your hair is black as the ravens
wing and mine is like the yellow corn."
For the first time that day the girl laugh.
ed aloud and lifted her eyes to the locks
that SO well became him. Armstrong also
laughed.
Il have thought out the way to circum.
vent it, he said. IF they ask wLo the
lady is. / shall tell them she is my be-
trothed."
mo, no, non gasped the girl
He rode close to her side and tried to take
her hand. but she withheld 1t from him.
You say no because you will not act
lie, and / honor you for your truth. You
are robed in truth, my beloved. as an an
gel is-'' 4,
.Oh. cease, cease. beg Of you.A
Frances. this is what is in my heart,