Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-27

as indeed Is the case with my own. But
the price of my life is the thwartfng of him.
The king will give him a commission to
be taken to the Scottish mobiles. 1t is that
document l was to rend from him. by force
if necessary. by cunning II possible was
to give him every aid to reach Oxford, but
on the way back l was to gain possession
of this commission and ride to Cromwell
with it; then life and promotion was mine.
and now 1 lie here helpless as trussed
fowl"
"A loathsome, treacherous task for a man
to put upon the shoulders of boy
| But look you Frances, It's but meeting
treachery with treachery. Armstrong has
| no right in this contest. and his success
| means a new blaze of war with the loss
| of thousands of innocent lives 1t means
| the possible triumph of the king who muir
| dered father and broke his pledged
| word to him and to you. By no possibility
| can this Scot ever see his land again, II
| he holds that fatal instrument, for the
| whole army is watching him. But once
| bereft of it, he is free to go as he pleases.
| If l were his dearest friend could do him
| no greater service than purlon the docu-
| ment of doom he will carry when he turns
! his face north again.
What do you wish me to do?' asked
| the girl in a low voice. her eyes staring
! into space. her hand trembling with APP
| prehension at what she knew intuitiyely
| was to be required of her.
Frances, dear, you once took jour-
| ney alone to London. to see our father.
| Again you went the same road to aid him
| if you could. and failed, to our lasting
grief, through the supineness of thrice
perjured monarch VIII you refuse to set
out on a shorter expedition. not for my
sake only although the saving of my
worthless life will be one effect of your
success. but to overturn what Is perhaps
| the final plot of fathers slayer. who
has already deluged the land with blood.
Will you not help to bring more speedily
that peace the kingdom yearns for, and the
only peace now possible?'
III do it, she said. quietly. rising. stoop-
ing over and kissing him. He chung to her
hand with the tenacity of the weak and
helpless. Frances, he said hurriedly,
remember you are protected by Crom-
wells own pass, so have no fear. In case
of need. the army, or any part of it, must
stand ready to aid you If you call upon
! it, Old John will ride behind and look after
| you. Although the pass mentions two only.
| it is so sweeping that they will doubtless
! take ii to include a servant Any subordi-
| nate will hesitate before he delays one car
| rying so broad permit from Cromwell
! himself
Yes, yes. l shall meet with no difficulty.
| you may be sure. You have already talked
| too much, and the doctor will censure me.
| Goodbye. Tom. Get speedily well. and
that will be my refard, for swear to you.
| by fathers memory, that my hand
| shall give into Cromwells the kings parch-
ment" kissing him again. she tore her.
| self away from him.
Send Armstrong to me-" were his part
L
| Armstrong entered the room shortly after
| Frances had left 1t.
This will never do" cried the Scot cheer
| lily. THE doctor is in despair over the time
| your sister spent with you, and he is at
| this moment Gliding her Me he has threat
| ened with direst penalties, If I exceed a
| scant minute. So l shall just have to bid
| you farewell and be off, wishing you quick
| recovery"
! Armstrong" said the boy huskily, my
| sister must take to the oxford road and
| remedy my default VIII you be her COM
| rade there and back?'
| LAS faithfully as ever belted knight at
| tended fair lady" replied Armstrong, his
| eyes suddenly ablaze with joy.
| John will attend her. and am sure your
good sword will protect her IL need be.
You may take oath on that.
| II give you the pass which Is safe con-
1 duct for you both. and think it will serve
TO cover John as well. If not, your own
might shield him as. far as Manchester.
MY own will shield me as far Man
| chester and this WILL more appropriately,
| convey your sister and her servant"
Yes. yes. That is. of course, as 1t should
| be. My head is spinning. and my thoughts
| are astray.''
After Manchester we will manage some
way. Be not uneasy about that. give you
the word of a Scottish gentleman, l will
care for your sister as If she were my own. I"
Armstrong took the pass, which was now
| ominously stained red. He grasped his sup
posed friend by the hand and babe him
| farewell. and wished him quick healing.
| Wentworths throat choked, for feeling
| of strong liking for the man almost OVER
| ,owered him. but singing sense Of his
] ~a oeridousnsss held him silent. Re-