Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-14

OSGT tuc
rs If the town were again be-
sieged, but morning broke clear and
beautiful, and when the pilgrims got
out into the country again the fresh
ness Of the air, the sparkle Of the rain
drops on the trees, caused the world to
seem newly made. The girl rode silent
and thoughtful, but the young man
was bubbling over with high spirits.
He suddenly threw back his head and
laughed aloud, as II some humorous
recollection had come to him.
'"That poor officer must have thought
me mad. When l came in from the
stables l called for the landlady and
asked where you were. She said you
were in your room. then requested
her to find out If you would see me for
moment, and without reply she dis
appeared up the stair. waited and
waited, but she did not return. The
officer was now by my side, chattering
away about something to which gave
no attention. All ut once the absurd
idea struck me that you were with
Cromwell, taken there by the officer,
and that Old Noll was browbeating
you and threatening you, to learn some
thing Of me and what was about"
mo one asked me anything about
you or your business" said the girl.
"Of course not. see that plainly
aow, but give you my word 1t was
zeal enough then. VI a.out a word of
warning broke In on the amazed Of
acer and shouted, Where is General
Cromwell? The man looked dunn
founded, as well he might. Then he
answered quietly enough, The general
Is in the castle, half mile from here.'
Even then glimmer of sense came to
me, and l explained that the general
had passed US that afternoon, and l
wondered II he had stopped ut North
ampton. The officer said he had, and
next moment the landlady appeared
ut the stair head, and you moment
or two after. What tricks Imagination
can play with u mani"
II was as anxious as you We're last
night, and shall always think of North
ampton Us the gloomiest town l ever
saw"
Il am glad to be quit of it. wonder
II that officer has given US the right
direction? It seems to me that we
should be bearing farther south for
Oxford. But perhaps the road takes q
turn presently"
"The road is right for the way we are
going. We pass through Banbury,
which is not much longer than the di-
rect route. intend to leave old John
at Banbury, and with him this per-
init, which will be danger to carry
until we turn north again. Banbury
in on the straight road to Scotland,
which suppose will be the way you
60 on your return"
"You are right in that. I'll travel
north rs the crow flies IL can"
'Then what say you to making Ban
bury our first stop on the honeward
run after we leave Oxford, taking early
to the road the next morning?'
"How far is Banbury from Oxford?"
LESS than thirty miles, think"
"Oh, we Gun do better than that.
must make from seventy to one hun
dred miles day on my road home"
"There is sometimes real speed in up
parent slowness."
'True. We shall be guided by cir
cumstances, Of course. Much will de-
pend on the hour of tho day we are
done with Oxford"
Frances said nothing more, for she
saw that the stop at Banbury would
have to be managed from Oxford, and
that it would require some tact on her
part to arrange 1t. The ever increasing
moon was against her, for If there was
much delay at Oxford. not only would
Armstrong be the more impatient to
get north, but night would soon be al.
most us light us day, and therefore
travel would only be limited by the en-
durance of themselves and their horses.
She wished Cromwell had selected
some spot at least fifty miles farther
away than Banbury, but, with sigh,
accepted the conditions presented to
her and resolved to do her best.
At Bnnbury she had no difficulty in
leading her unsusplcious comrade to
the Banbury Arms, and there they left
old John with his crippled horse. The
landlord was quiet, furtlve looking
man, with manner that suggested an
intermittent glancing over the shoul-
der. Frances resolved to say nothing
to him at this time, believing they had
come 80 quickly from Northampton
that she was in advance of any In
structions lie was to receive, but in this
she was mistaken. With Cromwell to
decide was to act and some one had
evidently come through in the night.
While they halted, waiting the prepara-
ton Of meal, the soft footed innkeep-
er, watching his opportunity, drew the
girl inside and asked her If she pos
sessed pass; If SO he would like to
see it. He was very apologize, saying
all public house keepers SO near to Ok
ford were compelled by the military
charge of the town to assure them