Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-12-17

less held as strongly as it could be. He
was convinced that success must de-
pend ultimately on the speed of his
horse, and he could not enter the con-
test with an exhausted animal. Bruce
was never so carefully tended as on the
day before the crisis, and as his intelli-
gent head turned toward his master
he seemed to know that something un.
usual was afoot.
On the second day Armstrong thought
1t best not to enter Carlisle too early
in the morning. He wished to mingle
with crowd and not to ride the streets
alone. The second night in the barn,
with the rest of the day and the night
| before, had left both himself and his
horse fit to face anything that might
ensue. The day was fine. The clouds
had cleared away, and the sun was
shining on the sodden ground. When
he came in sight Of the main road he
saw what appeared to be an army
marching north. Far on toward the
gates of Carlisle rode group of horse
men, and at the rear another squad Of
mounted men encouraged the laggards
to keep up for little longer. Arm
strong sat on his horse until the latter
company was abreast of him.
No one asked Armstrong who he was,
and the elaborate fiction he had pre-
pared to account for himself was not
called for. The troopers were worn
out by their contest with the elements
and the roads, and all curiosity was
dead in them. There stood Carlisle in
front, and that was enough. The foot
soldiers struggled on, in no definite Or
der of formation, each doing the best
he could. The officers rode silent be-
hind them. Thus they all marched
into Carlisle without question, and in
their company the man the army was
seeking After slight delay and pause
in the streets the new troops moved on
to the castle
Armstrong found no difficulty in fall
ing behind, being thus free Of the
town. He knew every turn Of every
street and lane in the place as we'll as
he knew the inside Of his own pocket.
He resolved to ride leisurely to the
bridge, cut through the guard, if it did
not prove too strong, and then trust to
the spur. The town was thronged
with military, but no one paid the
slightest attention to him. AS he jog
ged along very nonchalantly, more con-
tented with the prospect than a few
days before he would have thought
possible, Bruce awoke the echoes by
neighing loudly.
"Now, old man, what did you do
that for?" whispered William.
He looked ahead and was stricken
speeches. for the moment by seeing
Frances Wentworth on her horse, with
out doubt prisoner, two troopers rid
ing on either side of her and a young
officer in front. She had unquestiona-
bly, seen him, for her brow was wrin-
killed. with anxiety, but her eyes gazed
steadily past him into the distance.
AS he made toward the party they
flashed one look Of appeal upon him,
when said as plainly as words, For
ogntze mev' But the young man was
oblivious to everything except the fact !
that she was in some trouble.
''Where are you going with this la |
dy?" he demanded of the officer
"You may we'll ASK" said the man in |
no accent of pleasure. eve have come
across country to Carlisle under Or
ders from one in authority, and now
we must hale her back to Durham, .
where General Cromwell is stationed,
and those are the orders of some one
else"
But it is all mistaken cried Will +,
liam.
"That's what I'm telling you," said
the man, with short laugh.
"This lady is the sister Of Captain !
Wentworth of our army"
$50 she says. Others say she is the
who was with the Scotch rene
sade. l know nothing of it and care
ess. I obey orders"
Sir" said Frances coldly, Il beg
you not to interfere. 1t is mistake
hat will be explained in due time, but
,hese men must do as they are told.
That much you should know"
Although her words were spoken
1arshly enough, her eloquent eyes
we're bringing him to his senses and
realization Of the unwisdom and fulfil
ty Of his behavior. Before he could
speak again, a sharp voice behind him
'ang out:
"Why are you lettering there? Get
IN with your +
Without turning he knew who the
speaker was, and if he had not, the
,leam Of fear in the girls eyes might
lave warned him of peril. '.
''This man questions my ORDERS"
aid the officer.