Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-11-30


ing troubled, no man could be certain
that he met a friend on the highway
until some declaration was forthcom-
ing.
Only so far as to beg of you some
solution of the enigma of these roads.
am DESTROYS of travelling southwark
and seek a main highway, which am
grievously puzzled to lind"
The other laughed cheerily.
"You could not have Glanced on n
better guide, for l was brought up
some miles from this spot, although at
the moment l am myself on southern
journey. We turn here to the right,
but we have far 10 so before we reach
the highway"
1.-THE more lucky am l, then, that you
have overtaken me. 'Twould need a
wizard to mravel this tangled skein
of green passages"
Indeed" cried the youth, with q
lightsome laugh, "1've often lost my
self in their cntanglements, and, what
is more lasting, l lost my heart as
Well"
"There is one thing you have not lost,
and that is time. You are just young
enough for such nonsense as the latter
losing. ! am older than you and have
lost my way before now, as you may
we'll bear witness, but have kept my
head clear and my heart whole.'
"'Tis nothing to boast" said the
boy, with an air Of experience. ut
simply means that you have not yet
met the right woman. When you
meet her, you will be in as great q
daze as that in which found you at
the crossroads. l hope to get glimpse
of my fair one before ride farther
toward Oxford"
Coward oxford" cried Armstrong,
instinctively refining up his horse in his
surprise. care you, then, making for
OXford?"
ayes. have been expecting friend
to come with me, but he is delayed,
suspect, at Carlisle. SO l must get on
as best can without him."
81 travel to Manchester" said Arm
strong. more noncommittal than the
other appeared to be.
"Then l shall be happy to bear you
company If it SO pleases you until we
come to the parting Of our ways-that
is, If you are not in haste and can wait
until have word with my lass, in
whose direction we are now tending.
She is the most winsome little lady in
all the countryside, the only daughter
Of Lord Rudby, who Isl
Lord Rudby!" echoed Armstrong.
"You fly high my young SIR"
"Why should not? Although she
is the sweetest angel that ever visited
this glad earth, she makes no descent
when she joins her hand to mine. l
am Thomas Wentworth, eldest son to
the late Earl of STAFFORD"
They had been travelling knee to knee
in the narrow way, but Armstrong
pulled up and looked at his companion
in amaZement.
"Do you mean the minister to the
king of England?"
Eyes. There was no other"
'Then you are perhaps about to visit
Charles at Oxford?'
"Ah, have already told you more
than was wise on SO short an acquaint-
ance," said Wentworth, trying another
tack. "You yourself gave me lesson
In reticence moment since, and you
have not been so garrulous concerning
yourself as l. 1 do not even know
your name"
"Sir, ! am William Armstrong, and
Scotland is my country. AS two
swords are better than one, shall be
most glad to travel in your company.
l may say, however, that hold pass
from Cromwell himself, so if you are a
kings man you may not wish to be my
companion"
II am myself abroad through Crom-
wells permission" answered Went
worth jauntily. land I'll venture my
pass is broader as well as longer than
yours. Ills sometimes well to have a
friend in the enemy's camp, and my
friend pretends he can get anything
from Old Noll. Read 1t, If you think
Pm boasting."
Wentworth handed the document to
the Scot, who read and returned it.
milne is but limited permit com.
pared with this. Where do you expect
to encounter your comrade"
II fear there is little chance of see
ing him until reach Oxford if indeed
l find him there. suspect he is de-
tanned at Carlisle. However, l travel
on my own business and he ON his, so
it makes little difference to me save
the lack of companionship"
"You go to Oxford alone then?"
Part Of the way with you, l hope.
Yes; I'm tired Of waiting and SO set out
alone this morning, deviating from the
main road and taking these lanes, the
better to approach Rudby Hall without
undue publicity"
~ see," said Armstrong thoughtful
ly. Then, as he fell into meditation,
there was silence between them for
some time. The theme of his reflection
was the accomplishment Of the task
which lay before him. Here seemed a
heaven sent opportunity to win peace
fully to Oxford and perhaps to return
as far north as Carlisle.
Armstrong remembered that luck
had often stood his friend. and the
present encounter looked like another
instance Of it. SO lie resolved to jour
ney with Wentworth as far south us
Manchester, there to be guided by cir
cunlstanccs. Up to that point he need
ass for 10 favor. for he had his own