The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-08

between
slept as dreamlessly as his ancestors.
CHAPTER XVI
MATRIMONY.
night, and day and night, rejuvenated the tired
and his horse Clothed and in his right mind he
the gallant borderer, face whatever
fortune had in store for him; this OCCASION Tar
QUAR- said more superbly attred than had been
the before but Armstrong held that this merely
interested praise of the castle Tarquar endeav
ored to persuade him not to trust himself again Eng
ish SOIL but his advice unheeded is usually the
fate OF unasked counsel Tarquar wished him to take
bodyguard of but Armstrong pointed out
that unless he had army his back defeat
Cromwells forces all other assistance
risked everything his belief in Cromwels
sense this position nothing Traquair say
would turn him. The rode with him far the
Esk, and there babe him good luck and godspeed
needed guide memory and instinct
direction. directly for the farmsteading,
where first he had been arrested and found it deserted
which his captors
him. expecting reach Corbton before darkness
set in This plan was frustrated by the fact that he had
allowed too scan time for the Gordon the country
to be withdrawn. Cromwell indeed calling in his
men, and nassing them at Carlisle Newcastle and Hex
ham, which latter town Armstrong; ancestors had
frequently piaged He learned of this movement from
chance and the alert not to fall within
the scope of any marching company. There evil
IDENTIFY secret about Cromwes Intentions and the Scot
surmised that the general wished his plans be well
the land and thus the northerners in
any hostile projects they might think of undertaking.
showing his readiness crush them if they ventured
set foot the border
About midday Armstrong caught sight of the first
large body of and he compelled to hide forsev
danger This delay retarded his arrival
Corbiton until after nghtfa, when the full
the ancient mansion in place of the silver
crescent which hung in the western sky when last
visited the place. It seemed incredible that Of
time could have been short, for the events efe
were crowded in the interval AS he approached the
cient house the challenge of sentinel brought him to
stand, and called from the hall several officers.
us Cromwell here?" asked the newcomer.
"Ths is the Headquarters of his exceency, General
Cromwell said one of the officers with severity
in his tone rebuke to the questioners ohand method
of designation.
That's mean replied Armstrong. II
heard there were two of the kind Well tell him
that William Armstrong, who carried the commission
from the king to Scotland is here and requires private
The strong moonlight shining back the
horseman and in the faces of the officers The latter
leader gave instead, brief command, moment
dozen pke1nen surrounded the rider who laughed
heartily and said:
my lads you late. You should have that
trick several days since Oliver will give you thanks
for now Go and tell him here and send some
charge of my horse while talk with him."
The chief officer hesitated moment then turned and
gave the soldier who his minute
instructions touching the treatment of the animal.
seYou are all good horsemen" said the visitor in his
most genial accents. respect Bruce
here whatever think of his MASTER for this the
that ouned the narapet of Carlisle bridge
and, that beat the you had in cavalry
in for the border. If chief should come to
disagreement with take Of the horse at least for
you haven't another like him.
The horse led away, palpably admired by all the
men, for of them stroked and patted his flank,
speaking
in his pockets the center of ring of armed men, his
dress in striking to the sober uniform Of
his guards Cromwell taking his time making his
mind, and the thought this delay not an
encouraging sign He had thrust his head between the
lions jaws, and the minutes that passed before he could
know whether the brute going to bite not irk
to him. especially there nothing to do
but await the issue At last the officer reappeared dis
missed the guard, and said CURLY to the prisoners
Follow me-
Armstrong ushered into the huge room which he
remembered WELL found Cromwell sitting alone at
the table, If he had never left it. Even the
two candles stood where they had been placed
before but the face of the seated seemed in
scrutibe stern than he recoected it, This the
of Ironsdes the Northampton road rather
than the urbane who had pretended to believe the
story of the search for cattle.
Armstrong swept off his feathered hat most
teously he approached the table, bowed and said:
.Good evening general, standing then at on the
spot formerly occupied. The general lifted
heavy eyes cropped head, glistenng in the
light and altho his firm mouth remained immobile, the
suspicion twinkle scintilating
.r,n,,n III c.coar ali., crnlorno