Morris tribune., 1904-11-05
clzaatel terror.

already feel the tolls tightenins
around me. I am satisfied he knows
every move have made since lef
him. The unseen spy is on my track
and, by my sword, I'd rather circum
vent him than rule the kingdom. Wull
whaur's yer wits? Now's the time "
need them, my lad. In the first place
dare not 80 through Northampton
That's clear"
"WhyT'
I'm my soul I'm certain a crisis
awaits me there. TIL be pabbed in
Northampton. Then the question, why
did you refuse pass to OxfordY"
did he offer you oneY
Eyes. The next question will be,
why are you south Of the limit set by
yourself, travelling to Oxford on anoth-
er's passT To that query there's no
answer. I'm self convicted spy, and
then the scaffold, according to all the
rules of war; .-....
pardon me If I do not follow your
argument. II he has tracked you, as
you think, there is no more reason he
should stop you at Northampton than
at Newark or Grantham. Aside from
that why did he not hold you when
he had your ...-
"Oh, had not put my neck into the
moose then. AS for arresting me at
Newark or at Grantham, I see now
that such was his intention, but our
friend Hezekiah failed him. 1t was IN
doubtedly CromwelPs purpose that we
should have gone back with Benton"
"Stll, I do not believe you. If Crom-
well is as crafty as you seem to be-
heve, it Is likely he wishes you to reach
Oxford. Unless that was the case, why
should he have offered you the passY'
my lass, there are several sides to
this problem, and what you say has
the stamp of probability on it. Never
theless I'll overset his arrangements.
l am the only one Of us three who can
not give good excuses for being in these
parts. Here is the pass which protects
you and old john" he said, giving her
the document. "You and he will 60 to
Oxford at your leisure. I shall gallop
across country, will evade the parlia-
mentary lines as best may and will
be in Oxford tomorrow morning. That |
will throw Old Noll a day out of his
count"
"Then you leave me to meet Crom-
well aloneT'
"You have no need to fear the meet !
ing. Your plea is perfect. Your broth |
er was wounded, and you have under
taken his task. OF me or my plans you
know nothing, and I was with you
merely because happened to be trav-
cling this way and had brought your
wounded brother to his home. And
here is great warning to us all. Hap
py is the person who can abide by the
truth, who has no secret designs to
conceal. My lady, envy you"
Frances made no reply, but sat there,
bending her eyes on the ground. There
could be no doubt that his new resolve
was the best move in the circum-
stances, and she was not in position
% inform him that his night march
vas unnecessary and that he would
oe wise to husband his horses power
Until he left Oxford, for then would
:ome his time of need.
"Well, let us get on" he cried. ''I'll
axe the first byroad SOUTH"
Cautious old John, with his limping
lorse, had gone forward while they
TODD talking together, and now they
antered to overtake him. Frances
vas glad of the cessation of converse !
ion that she might have opportunity
f meditating on some argument that
you'd retain him by her side. If he
eft her, she was resolved to seek out
cromwell at Northampton, tell him Of
er brothers disaster and explain her
wn effort to make good his absence.
When Cromwell was convinced that
9th her brother and herself had faith
ully endeavored to carry out the COM
lander's wishes he might then heed {
er pleading that sentence be annulled,
r at least suspended, until the boy !
ad another chance Of proving his 10y &
lty to his party. Her meditations {
'ere interrupted by Armstrong sud-
emily drawing in his horse and stand
lg up in his stirrups. She also stop
ed and looked inquiringly at him. A :
Ugh hedge bordered the road, and he
as endeavoring to peer beyond it.
"What is it?" she asked. d
81 thought I caught CLINT Of he'll =
ct over yonder."
They went on at walk and shortly
ter passed road that crossed their I
vn. Up this crossroad to the north Z
70 troopers sat on their horses; down =
e road to the south were two others. 4
) Armstrong and his companion con-
1ued west the four troopers came out a
their concealment and followed b
EN-.