Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-07

himself gave him pass for two. He
said he was to see the brother of. his
sweetheart, who is with the king in
Oxford"
''That is very likely. The two were
great friends always, even when they
took opposite sides i'll this deplorable
contest which is rending our distracted
country"
'There must be more than friend
ship In. this journey; otherwise Crom-
well would not have given him such
pass as he holds. If 1 can render
service to him III Oxford l shall be
glad to undertake his commission"
do you then, go to OSford?" asked
the girl innocently, turning her disquiet
and disquieting eyes full upon him.
I'll had no such intention when
set out" stammered Armstrong, abash-
cd that for once his natural caution
had forsaken him. at matters little
how far south 60. and l am willing
to do an errand for friend. took
him for royalist at first and saw no
danger in his purpose, but If he be
parlinmentarian then Oxford is place
to avoid"
Ibid he not tell you he was parlia
mentarian?" questioned. the girl, now
alarmed in her turn.
mo. You told me so.'
al You must be mistaken, sir. I
gave you no information about my
brother"
"You said his friend in the kings
forces had not thought the less Of him
because he took the other side"
81 am distraught with anxiety about
him and gave but little heed to my
words. would have you remember
only what my brother himself told
you"
Their conversation was interrupted
by the opening Of the door and the re-
appearance Of the doctor. The girl
could not conceal her trepidation, for
the nontechnical strangers assurances
had slight weight with her.
'.Thomas is doing very well; very
well indeed" said the old man. "You
have no cause for alarm, not the
slightest, If he can but be kept quiet
for some days and rest where he is for
few weeks. You attended to him,
sir, and l take II that you possess a
sinattering of our art.''
II have need of that knowledge, doc
tor" replied Armstrong, "for those
who have done me the honor to run
me through rarely had the considera-
ton to make their attack within easy
call of surgeon
Then, turning to the girl, the doctor
said: "Your brother wishes to speak
with you, and have reluctantly giyel
my consent. You will stay With hin
ms short q 1ttmss-s.s may pc, and wi
be here to see that you do not OVERSIZE
reasonable limit. One word more
Do not argue with him or dispute any
thing he says, no matter how absur
it may seem. Agree to any propose
he makes even If you know it canne
be carried out. He is evidently di!
turbed about his duty. Soothe him
soothe him and concur. There is littl
that duty must wait till wounds al
healed, but he will recognize that fat
when he is well again. Meanwhile III
NOR him; Lumor him. Away, and L
count the minutes till you are OF
again. l will find John and send hi
for competent nurse"
Frances opened the door gently IN
met her brothers hungry eyes. Sh
snt down beside him, taking his fl
vered hand between her cool palms.
"Oh, I'm doomed man, doome
manw he groaned.
Nonsense, Tom! The doctor quit
agrees with the stranger that yor
wound is not dangerous
II was not thinking Of the woun,
That does not matter"
what does, then, dear?"
"Sister, this morning at daylight
was to have been taken out and shot
The girls hands frightened on hi
Cromwell himself repricved me In:
night, but on conditions. The sentenc
still hangs over me, and now I'm hell
less to avert it, and all through III
own folly. Oh, have been n needles
fool! With every incentive not to tax
risk have walked blindly"-
Eyes. dear, yes. But tell me how
can aid you. The stranger says.he wi
do anything you want done in OXfort
going there specially OH your errant
and he looks like Il man to be trusted.
"Trust him. lie cried inpatient.
Frances, Frances ii is against him
am going to Oxford! The man Is
spy carrying a message to the kin.
He is interfering in II quarrel til;
should be 10 concern of his. and hi
life is already forfeit, as indeed is I'll
case with my own. But the price OF IN
life is the thwarting OF him. The kin
will give him Il commission to be take
to the Scottish no;ies. Ii is that doc'
lnent l Was to rend from him, by fore
II necessary, by cunning ii possible.
was to give him every aid to reach o.
ford, but OH the way back WAS
gain possession of this commission az
ride to Cromwell with it; then life III
promotion We're mine. and now
here helpless as a trussed fowl"
"a loathsome, treaclerous task for
man to put upon the shoulders of
boy"
''But look you, Frances, tits but mec
strong has no right in this contest, al
his success means Il new blaze OF wa
with the loss of thousands of innoce
lives. 1t means the possible trinml
of the kind who murdered our faith
and broke his pledged word to linn al
to you. And seeming trickeiy may
real mercy, as in this case it is. for
Cromwell cannot obtain the kings Ii
ter by stealthy means lie will Cruz
this Armstrong as ruthlcssly as
would crush Il gnat. BY no possibili
can this Scot ever see his land again
he holds that fatal instrument, for Il
whole army is watching him. But on
bereft of 1t be is free to go as
plcases. This simpleton thinks he Ii
deluded Cromwell and is laundering
through FOOLS paradise that bristl
with unseen swords IF 7 were n