The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-08-16
CHAPTER XIX.
Acquaintance.

she was already in tine saddle.
Set me on the road to Broughton.
you please"
.''The road for tonight is 'Broughton, "
he whispered. then took the horse by
the bride and led him down the street.
THE girl became aware that the town
VAS alive with unseen men, for at
Every corner the inkeeper breathed the
Word "Bruughton" to some one who
had challenged his progress. She real
'ded then that Cromwell had surround
VI Armstrong with ring Of flesh,
living clasp as her own wrist had been
uircled earlier in the night. At last
they came suddenly from the shadow
AZ the houses into the open country,
and the night seemed lighter.
straight ON for about league, sad
the inkeeDer. You viii be challenged
b n sentinel before you reach the
castle. and he yin lead you there Ite-
member that the word going and re-
turning IS 'BroughtOn' DO not forget,
] bec Of you. to tell the general that
a preparations were made TO your Tx
ing" and with shat the honest man Leo
20 the rein, smote the horse on the
flank. and babe her good night.
In spite If herself the girl experienced
that eXhilaratiOn which comes of the
morning air. the freshness Of the coUn-
try, and the movement of a spirited
horse. She berathed deeply and felt
as one brought newly to life again. IL
it were not for her upbraiding con-
science and her distress Of mind she
could have sung for the joy of living.
But the Biblical phrase. "A thief in the
night" haunted her and brought
choking sensa ton to her throat. Once
or twice she wavered and almost
turned back for there was still time
20 undo; but reflection showed her the
uselessness OF retreat, Is the town she
had left was man-environed, and, until
Cromwell gave the word Of release,
Armstrong could no more reach its
outer boundary than she could have
esca ped when his fingers closed upon
her wrist Her sacrifice must be com
uletc or all she loved were involved in
common ruin. So with the phrase ring
ing i'm her ears, Thief in the night
Thief i'm the night. through the night
she galloped until he- horse suddenly
placed mis- fore feet rigid. and came to
a stop so abrupt that the shock nearly
unseated her.
who goes" came the sharp chal l.
lcnge from under the trees that over
Swallowed the highway.
"Broughton," she answered automat-
ically.
Are you the woman from Banbury?"
Yes"
This is Broughton castle. win lead
your horse"
and came to q drawbridge, passed I'M
der an arch in the wall, then crossed a
level lawn, on the further edge of
which stood the broad eastern front OF
the castle with its numerous null
liOued windows, a mysterious half light
I'm the horizon playing on the blank
panes, which recalled the staring open
eyes Of a. blind man. The house
seemed high and somber, with 10 sign
against the door and il waR opened at
once. Mufied as had been the knock
ing on the oak. it awoke the alert gen
eral for when Frances had dismounted
and followed her guide into the ample
hall, Cromwell stood al the head of the
stair. a candle i'm his hand. Less mind
ful of his comfort than Armstrong. lee
had evidently slept i'm his boots. and as
Frances looked up at him his strong
lace seemed older than when she last
saw him, although but a few days had
passed The swaying flame of the cam
die. held on a level with his head
made the shadows come and go on tho
rugged features and emphasized tho
deep burrows in his face. His hair wal
towsled, and he had the unkempt ap
pearance OF a man who had slept in
his clothes But his eyes burned dowT
upon her as il their fire had meyer beer
eXtiuguished for moment.
Come up" he commanded. and al
she assembled the stair cried impatient
~ Welt"
There is the kings commission" sh
said quietly, presenting the documen
TO him. He took it without a word
turned and entered the room; she fol
lowed him. He placed the candle OF
table. did not take the time to Nlti
the silkcn cord that bound the roya
communication, but ripped it asunde
and spread open the crinklins parch
ment, holding il mp to the light. II
read IL through 10 the end. then cas-
it contenptuOusly on the table, NUT
tering:
Charles Rex! \ wreck you hav
made OK iife and opportunity and cOuu
try Then 10 the girl: "Wench yO
have done wen. Would you were
man"
''rhe pardon for my brother. sir.
IL please you"
1T is ready. ana tho commission o.
captain also. You see L trusted You.
so did another and through hi
faith Ee now lies undone at Banbury.
You have not killed him2" erie
Cromwell sharply. looking with some
thing almost like alarm at the uncann
appIritiOu. All beauty had deserte
her and her face seemed pinChed an
small. white as the parchment on III
table. and rendered unearthly in II
hue by the mass Of cavern black ha
that surrounded &C.
Killed him. no. But 1 have i1iile
his faith In woman. cozened HIM lie
10 him. robbed him. TO buy for vol
with the name OF your maker on you
lips, ii life that you know was not fol
feitcd, but which you had the power
destroy"
All, yes, yes, yes. I remember vol
tongue Of old. but it may wag harm
less now FOR all OF me. His life W.
forfeited; aye. and this Scots as we
But no matter now"
He threw before her the pardon r,
her brother and his commission as cal
tain then STROBE out of the room
the head Of the stair again and 81
heard his strenuous voice:
"Hobsoni"
Here. exceIlency."
Ride at once 10 the commandment
Banbury. Tell him the Scot goes FIRE
Tell him TO send word north and s.
that he is not mOlested, but should
turn i'm his tracks and attempt to rea,
oxford again, hold him aud send wo
10 me"
Yes. eNcellency."
Send up a stOup Of wine"
He waited at the stair-head until I
wine was brought. then took It into I
room and placed it on the table befo
her.
Drink" he said
81 cannot" she cried.
Drink, drink" he shouted I'm a vo
to harsh that it made her tremble. S