Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-07
"He told me his father was the late

Yesterday l was grateful to you for
the aid you afforded my brother. as 1
should have been grateful to my serv-
mt if he mad occupied your place, but
l should not have forgotten the dis
lance between that servant and my
self. Strafford's daughter does not
recognize drover as her social equal.
ask you To take the position l set
for YOU when | began this Journey"
"Do you mean. madam, that am to
ride with your servant?"
THAT is what mean"
Il have no objection in the least.
From the conversations we had togeth-
er he shows himself a man of knowl-
edge and a lover of horses, which is an
easy passport to my liking"
II nm glad his company is so much
to your taste, and shall be obliged to
you If YOU fall back with him, as
wish to ride alone"
THAT will not do under command,
for, although may cherish old Johns
conversation, cannot admit the claim
of superiority you set up. l am drov-
or, said. and so your ancient King
Alfred might with equal truth have
dubbed himself n baker, If old tales are
true. l am William Armstrong of Gill
nochie Towers, lord of the lands of
Langholm, Dalbetht, Stapil-G ortown,
Shield and Dalblane. can trace my
lineage as far back as any noble in
England and come to my ancestral
thieves as soon as they. In courtesy
we Armstrong; are the equals of any
Englander, and in battle we have never
turned our backs on them. The castles
of my clan line the river Liddel, and
when l ride with my friend, the Earl
of Traquair, ride by his side and not
with his followers"
"Sir, you overwhelm me with your
grandeur" said the girl loftily, re-
joiced to find herself in what promised
to be a quarrel. She was human, and
thought it would prove easier to rob
an enemy than n friend. II thought
the crowns Of England and Scotland
We're united, but see was mistaken.
travel with the king Of Scotland, and
he is doubtless on his way to Oxford
to confer with his brother, the king of
England"
madam, go to greet his. majesty
Charles, and if he dare to address me
as you have done will tell him 1 am
more king of the border than he is
king of England, and my saying will
be true"
Frances Wentworth bowed low in
mock humility.
Your highness Of the border will
you permit me to ride in your train
l know l am not worthy, but ask the
boon that l may seek consolation IL
communion with my servitor."
Madam, you may ride where yor
please" gruttly replied the thoroughly
angered Scot. tingling with wounded
pride.
"Sir, 1 thank you" replied the maid
en-, bowling again, "and am delighted
that you should exhibit to one so lowl,
as | an example of that courtesy Of
which you just now boasted."
To this the indignant man made nj
reply, thus changing his former rcla
lions as regarded conversation. II,
urged on his horse, and she, after paus
ing awhile and seeing that John woult
approach no nearer, also went on, ant
thus the three kept for the day thei
new relative positions. Unheeded, tn
sun passed the meridian, and Mt las
she was reused to sense of her sur
roundings by the stopping Of her un
guided horse before n roadside I'M
Armstrong, his black steed brought I
standstill across the highway, s,
rigidly upright, and he said when ST.
thus unexpectedly looked at him wit
something of startled appeal in he
eyes:
1--WE stop here for rest and refresl
ment."
II need neither rest nor refreshment
she answered YEARLY.
II was not thinking of you, MADAM
but of the horses. They have alread
gone too far without food, but in tn
benighted land there has been no o.
| portunity Of batting them till now"
| She sprang lightly from her horse
| the ground and without a look at I'll
4 faithful animal that had carried hi
H SO far walked very straight to the dot
\ Of the hostelry and disappeared witt
II in it.
\ When the time Of waiting had tickle
| itself out on the old clock of the in
\ Armstrong ordered the horses on I'll
\ road again and sent old John to war
\ his mistress that the way was sti
H long to York. She came out prompt
H mounting proudly without word, ar
II the expedition set forth rs before, o.
n John contentedly bringing up the rea
H All afternoon they made their progress
along the very direct road, no utterant
from any one of the three. France
grew more and more tired of this dol
full journey. so woefully begun, pla
n ing the blame on her own weary shot
,r ders for the most part, but now ar
then filed with growing hatred
t, the stolid figure in front. who new
Is once turned round, never once slac
H. ened the pace, never once made i
)" quiry of any kind.
l. AT last the nearly level rays of Il
evening sun glorified the towers Of II
ID gray minister, transforming them f
$. the moment into piles Of rosy marbl
IT and the walled tower was spread o.
d before them. They came to Bootha
h Bar, and here for the first time a me-
S. at arms questioned their right of wa
III Armstrong silently presented to hi
IS the blood stained pass, bearing Il
4 signature of the man of iron.
The man at arms stood aside and Il
'r trio went up the gathering street uni
they came to house of entertainmel
e. once called 1.-The Kings Head" vii
d a picture Of Charles on the swayir
IS sign, now Slightly changed to represe
n, Fairfax, n good Yorkshireman, viii
Is the lettering had been obliterated NJ
1t ''The Fairfax Arms" painted over
le The leader Of the expedition ordert
II the best apartment in the house for Il
G. lady, and sat where he was while Il
IS busting landlord assisted the fatigue
n traveller to dismount. Armstrong al
lie old John saw to the disposal of Il
Hos a..