Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-11

nocent highway ever remained, as 1t were,
a section of the broad path to perdition. In
after life she never thought of 1t but with
a creepy sensation of horror. She was
compelled to traverse ground that was the
scene of her lovers proposal, with the lover
whom she had rejected. The futile incident,
she thought, must be constantly recurring
to his mind as 1t required to hers, now tnat
they rode side by side once more along this
iIl-favored street Even though he sat ST.
lent on his horse, more gloomy than was his
won't she guessed what he was thinking.
In oxford, God be thanked they were quit
OF tia grave danger was left behind, but in
Banbury awaited the cruel test. There the
stage was prepared for enactment OF the
part of midnight Lady Macbeth, to rob
the sleeping Scot not of his life, but OF that
for which ne had staked his life, and for
whose preservation he stood willing to give
up his life. Heretofore she had lulled an
accusing conscience by telling 1t that her
deed would preserve his life, but now that
she knew him better such solace was with
drawn from her. There was little likelihood
that he would travel far beyond Banbury
without discovering his loss. and while he
would never suspect her of the theft, 1t
needed seer to predict his course OF
action. He would return instantly to OK
ford, and when next he was baff1ed it would
be by Cromweli's troopers. and then, She
had the generals own word for it, came
condemnation and the moose
Dependency seemed to be the portion of
William Armstrong as well as of his fair
companion. She SurmiSed that he was
bordering on the events which had happen
ed when their faces were set south over
this course, and in part she was right, but
the thoughts which ranked in his mind
were those implanted by De Courcy, and
the willy Frenchman had been accurate
enough in his belief that the young mans
pleasure in the northWard journey would be
spoiled. He could not bring himself to ask
any explanation from the girl even tell
her what De Courcy had said, for he saw
that already a weight of oDpraSSad her
and to that burden he would not add a
pressure of the slightest word. He pos
sessed a supreme confidence In her, and
only feared that she had loved this runa-
gate once and that some remnant of this
long-ago affection still remained Her own
words before they reached Oxford her own
action during the encounter fronting the
Crown Inn, disturbed him far more than
the insnua lions of the Frenchman He
strove to rid himself of these thoughts, but
they were very intrusive and persistent. At
last with an effort he reused himself and
cried with feigned hilarity: Frances we
travel like two mutes. The influence Of
saddened oxford is still upon us both. We
are long out of sight of the town. SO let us
be done with all remembrance Of 1t. The
meeting with the king this morning has
stirred me up to great pity for him. but
Vexed meditations on his case are no help
either to him or to US. The spur is the only
weapon can WELD for him now. SO let US
Gallop and cry, God save the king!'"
With that they raced together for time
and were the better of it. He had become
almost cheerful again when the spires OF
Banbury came into view, and thanked for
tune that the first stage of their march
was safely over.
They found Old John and his pack horse
both ready for the road again, and Arm
strong was plainly lOath to let such a fine
evening slip by without further progress,
but Frances seemed so wan and worn that
he had not the heart to propose a more
distant stopping place, and with sigh. he
put up his horse for the night.
While he was gone the innkeeper came
furtively to her. and after seeing the pass,
led her to the prepared room and showed
her the door,
Much against her WILL Armstrong In
sisted upon her coming to supper with him
although she protested she had no appe-
tite, and, indeed, sat opposite him most
forlorn, and could not touch a morsel In
vain he urged her to eat. but she shook her
eyes downcast.
my GIRL" he said, anxiously, you are
completely tired. see that you on the
point of being Ill, If better care is not
taken. Rest here a few days, beg of you.
Eager as l am to be forward, I will stay II
you wish to have ne near you. Or l will
push on and come back for you"
Il shall be well enough in the morning,
most like. am tired tonight"
And dispirited, toor'
Yes. and dispirited. You will excuse
me- know"
Frances rose to her feet, but seemed so
1 faint that she leaned against the table for