Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-11-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
RNHE four troopers allowed the
distance between themselves
81 and the forward party neither

81 ana the FORWARD party neither
to increase nor diminish until
darkness SET in, when they closed up
but said nothing. There was no fur
iher conversation between Frances and
the young man. He held himself erect
and beyond the first exclamation gave
10 intimation that be was disturbed
by the prospect before him. She was
victim to the most profound detection
and was relieved when the gathering
gloom allowed her pent up tears to fall
unseen.
At last the lights Of Northampton
glimmered ahead, and shortly after a
guard in front summoned them to
stand The troopers behind them also
STOOD but took no part in what fol-
lowed An officer examined their pass
by the light of a lantern, but did not
return it to them. His words seemed
seassuring enough.
.'You are stopping the night in North
4sgnpton?'
Yes" replied Armstrong, although
she pass had been given up by Frances
sud the officers inquiry was addressed
- Ier.
."Iou may meet trouble in finding
<x1it;ihle abiding place." said the officer,
"Euoue especially for the lady. North
umi,ton is little better than barracks
at tie moment l will take you to the
sized Lion" Saying this, but without
waiting for any reply, he led the way
with the swinging lantern. The Red
Lion proved much less attra ctive
hostelry than the hospitable Angel at
Grantham. 1t seemed occupied chiefly
by armed men and resembled military
Headquarters more than an inn.
"You will perhaps wish to see to your
horses YOURSELF suggested the officer
ito Armstrong.
Yes. after am assured that the
lady is
Have no anxiety on that score. 1
will place her in the guardianship Of
the hostess and VIII wait here for
you"
The assurance Lad ali the definite
ness of command, and Armstrong,
without further pariey. led away his
own horse and hers. followed by old
John.
$Come this way, madam" said the
oRcsr to Frances.
He escorted her up a stairway and
at the tsp turned to her and said in
low voice:
General CrolnWel's commands were
that you should be\Irought to him as
soon as you arrived"
He knocked at door, and a gruf
voice from within told him to enter.
He opened the door and went IN, fol-
lowed by his prisoner.
81 have brought the woman, general. !
The man is under guard below" Say
ing this and receiving no reply, the
officer laid the pass on the table and
withdrew, closing the door behind him. |
Cromwell STOOD at the window, look
ing down on the dark street below,
dotted with moving lights. His broad
back was toward his visitor, and he
did not turn round even when he ad- |
dressed her On a chair rested his
polished breastplate and steel cap:
otherwise he was accoutered as he had
been when she saw him on the road
His voice was hOarSe.
"Who are you, wench, and what are
you to this man that you range the
land brazenly together under a pass
written for neither of you"
With some difficulty the girl found
her voice after two or three inef-
fectual attempts to speak and said:
81 am Frances Wentworth, sister to
Lieutenant Wentworth of General
CrOmwelIs army"
The generals ponderous head turned
slowly. and he bent his sullen eyes
upon her. She wondered Armstrong
had not seen the brutal power of that
coUntenance even by candlelight.
"Why is your brother not in your
splace?" /,
My brother was sorely wounded the
morning he set out and now lies be-
tween life and death in our home" ;,
"How came he woundedY
Gle met Lord Rudby, who attacked
him. My brother would not defend
himself, and so was thrust through the
body. Armstrong brought him to our
house, and the doctor says he cannot
be moved for month at least"
"Why was I not Informed of this?"
Il did not know where to find you" .
"You, wench, surely did not know +
where to find me, but your brother
knew that message to his nearest :
superior would find me-"
"My brother, l have told you, was +
wounded and had but one
thing in his mind-to have done with :
The task you had set upon him."
"He committed it to your hands
Hhen?"
HE did"
"What was the task l set him?"
sit was to steal from Armstrong the
kings commission and to deliver the !,
Uesult of that theft to General Crom- :.
well, the receiver"
''Wench, your tongue Is oversharp- ,
D grievous fault. 1 pray you amend
It."
"NOf until 7 have fold Won 7 am M