Evening star., 1903-07-04
CHAPTER XIV.
Affection.

The four troopers allowed the distance
between themselves and the forward party
neither to increase nor diminish until dark
ness set in, when they closed up, but said
nothing. There was no further conversa-
tiOp between Frances and the young man.
He held himself erect, and, beyond the first
exclamation. gave no intimation that he
was disturbed by the prospect before him.
She was victim to the most profound de-
lection, and was relieved when the gather
ing gloom allowed her pent-up tears to fall
unseen. The universal silence made the
situation the more impressive. The sun had
gone down In a bank of cloud which now
overspread the heavens, threatening
storm and obscuring the moon
At last the lights of Northampton glim-
mered ahead, and shortly after guard in
front summoned them to stand. The troop
ers behind them also stood, but took no
part in what followed. An officer examined
their pass by the light of lantern, but
did not return it to them. His words seem
ed reassuring enough.
You are stopping the night at North
ampton?'
Yes replied Armstrong although the
pass had been given up by Frances and the
officers inquiry was addressed to her.
Have you any particular lodging in
view?"
No"
You may meet trouble In finding a suit
able abiding place" said the officer, more
especially for the lady. Northampton is
little better than a barracks at the mo-
ment l will take you to the Red Lion
And saying this, but without waiting for
any reply he led the way with the swing
ing lantern. The Red Lion proved a much
less attractive hostelry than the hospital BILE
Angel at Grantham. 1t seemed occupied
chiefly by armed men, and resembled mill
tary headquarters more than an inn.
You will perhaps wish to see to YOUR
horses ho off m
Armstrong.
"Yes, after 1 am assured that the lady
is"
Have no anxiety on that score l will
place her in the guardianship of the host
ess. and will wait here for you"
The assurance had all the definiteness of
command. and Armstrong. without fur
ther parley. led away his own horse and
hers. followed by old John.
Come this way, madame said the Off
Ger to Frances
He escorted her up a stairway, and at
the top turned to her and said in a low
voice:
General Cromwells commands were that
you were to be brought to him soon as
you arrived"
He knocked at a door and gruff voice
from within told him to enter He opened
the door and went in, followed by his pris-
oner.
Il have brought the woman. general The
man is under guard below" Saying this
and receiving no reply. the officer laid the
pass on the table and withdrew, closing the
door behind him.
Cromwell stood at the window looking
| down on the street below: dark dotted with
moving lights His broad back was toward
his visitor. and he did not turn round even
when he addressed her. On a chair rested
| his polished breast plate and steel cap,
otherwise he was accoutered as he had
been when she saw him on the road. His
voice was hoarse.
"Who are you, wench, and what are you
| to this man.. that you range the land braZ-
emily together under pass written for
neither Of your
With some difficulty the girl found her
voice after two or three Intellectual at
| tempts to speak. and said:
Il am Frances Wentworth sister to Lieu