Morris tribune., 1904-12-24
CHAPTER XXXu.

right mind he was once NOR
the gallant borderer, ready to fac
whatever fortune had in store for him
on this occasion, so Traquair said
more superbly attired than ever ha
been the case before, but Armstron
held that this was merely intereste'
praise of the castle tailor. Traquai
endeavored to persuade him not t
trust himself again on English soil
but his advice was unheeded, as il
usually the fate Of unasked counsel
Traquair wished him to take q body
guard Of score or more, but Arm
strong pointed out that unless he hat
an army at his back able to defea
! CromwelPs forces all other assistance
was useless.
When Armstrong had once gone
over a road he needed no other guide
than his own memory and instinct Of
direction. He made directly for the
farm stealing where first he had beer
arrested, and found it deserted; Their
had conducted him, expecting to reach
CorbitOn Manor before darkness set in
This plan was frustrated by the fact
that he had allowed too scant time fol
the Gordon across the country to be
withdrawn.
About midday Armstrong caught
sight Of the first large body of men,
and he was compelled to hide for sew
eral hours in depression on the moor
until they and the danger were past.
This delay retarded his arrival at Cor
biton Manor until after nightfall, when
the full moon shone upon the ancient
mansion, instead Of the silver crescent
which hung in the western sky when
last he visited the place. 1t seemed in
credible that the space Of time could
have been so short, for the events of a
life were crowded into the interval. AS
he approached the ancient house the
challenge of sentinel brought him to
q stand and called from the hall sew
eral officers.
els Cromwell here?' asked the new
conner.
''This Is the headquarters Of his ex-
cellency General Cromwell" said one
of the officers, with some severity in
his tone, a rebuke to the questioner's
offhand method of designation.
'That's the man l mean," replied
Armstrong. II never heard there were
two of the name or the kind. Well.
tell him that William Armstrong, who
carried the commission from the king
to Scotland, Is here and requires pri-
vate conference with him."
The chief officer hesitated for a mo-
ment, then turned and disappeared
within the mansion, while Armstrong
dismounted and gave to the soldier who
took his horse minute instructions
touching the treatment Of the animal.
you are all good horsemen." said
the visitor in his most genial accents,
land will doubtless respect Bruce here,
whatever you think of his master, for
this is the charger that louped over the
parapet of Carlisle bridge, and, after
that, beat the best you had in your
cavalry in race for the border If
your chief should come to a disagree
ment with me, take care of the horse
at least, for you haven't another like
him."
The horse was led away, palpably
admired by all the men, for some of
them stroked and patted his flank,
speaking soothingly to him. William
stood with his hands in his pockets,
The center Of ring of al med men, his
gay dress in striking contrast to the
more sober uniform Of his guards
Cromwell was taking his time making
Up his mind, and the young man
hought this delay was not an encour-
lying sign. He had thrust his. head
between the lions jaws, and the min
ties that passed before he could know |
whether the brute was going to bite or
lot were irksome to him, especially as |
here was now nothing to do but await
he issue. At last the officer re:
Feared, dismissed the guard and sau
'urtly to the prisoner:
Follow me-"
Armstrong was ushered into the huge
Dom which he remembered so well,
nd found Cromwell sitting alone at
he table, as if he had never left it.
even the two candles stood where they
lad been placed before, but the face
t the seated man seemed more inscru-
able, more stern than he recollected it.
Armstrong swept off his feathered
at most courteously as he approached
he table, bowed and, standing at ease
n the spot he had formerly occupied,
aid:
"Good evening, general" The gen.
raj lifted his heavy eyes and. al
hough his firm mouth remained i'm
lobile, the slightest suspicion Of a
Wrinkle scintillated for one brief mo-
lent in his searching glance.
Good evening. You wished to see
le?
eyes, general, and have come from
cotland this, very day for no other
"You are out of employment, per-
APPS. and are looking for re-engage- |
ent?'