Evening star., 1903-07-18
CHAPTER XIX.
Acquaintance.

"tulI tbublltSS nave prOHeTet MS assist
arcc. but when she spoke he learned she
was already in the saddle.
Set me ON the road to Broughton, if YOU
please"
THE word for tonight is 'Broughton.' he
whispered. then took the horse by the bride
and led him down the street. The girl be-
came aware that the town was alive with
unseen men, for at every corner the inn
ktep per breathed the word ''Broughton'' to
some one who had challenged his progress.
She realized then that Cromwell had sur
rounded Armstrong with ring of flesh, a
living clasp. as her own wrist had been
circlcd earlier in the night. At last they
came suddenly from the shadow of the
houses into the open country, and the
night seemed lighter.
Straight ON for about a league" said the
innkceper. You will be challenged by a
sentinel before you reach the castle, and
he will lead you there Remember that the
word going and returning is 'Bruughto1.'
DO not forget l beg of you. to tell the
general that all preparations We're made to
your liking. and with that the honest man
let go the rein. SmOte the horse on the flank
and bade her good night.
In spite of herself. the girl eXperienC ed
that eNhilaration which comes of the morn
ing air, the freshness of the country, ana
the movement of spirited horse, She
hreathed deeply and felt brouSil t
newly to lite again. If it We're not for her
ur''raidinE conscience and her distress Of
mind She could have sung for the joy OF
living. Eut the biblical phrase a thief in
the night haunted her and brought a chok
ing sensation tn her throat. once or twice
she ,wavercd and almost turned back. for
thei" was still time to undo; hut reflection
showed her the uScleSsnesS Of retreat as
III" town she had left was man-envirune l.
and until Cromwell gave the word of re-
lease Armstrong could no more reach Its
outer boundary than she could have cs-
ri, 1n,DT
wrist. Her sacrifice must be complete or
all she loved We're involved in common
ruin. So with the phrase ringing in her
ears Thief in the night" Thief in the
night" through the night she galloped until
her horse suddenly placed his fore feet
rlsid, and came 10 stop SO abrupt that
the shock nearly unseated her
wv no goeS? came the sharp cha!len go
from under the trees that overshadowed
the highway.
''BrOushton." she answered automatical-
u.
Are you the woman from Banbury?"
Yes"
This IS Broughton Castle. 1 will lead
your horse
They descended a slight depression and
came to Il drawbridge. passed under an
arch in the wall then across a level lawn
On tie further edge of which stood the
broad eastern front of the castle, with its
numerous mullioned windows a mysterious
nall light in the horizon playing on the
blank panes. which recalled the staring
op,n ewes of lIir1 man -r,o h,,oa .,,..
ed high .nd connhar ,,,i,h n i ~.
within TIC eon,iroI boo, , $50. ~, VI 7I'
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i,rf an "i'.' me 81