Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-28
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and these scars on my face are the
results Of my interference with mad
dened woman"
"Again, you lie, yet if she had killed
you both she would have accomplished
but Justice
Gas to the truth or falsity of my
statements. regarding which you make
comments of unseemly terseness, you
may ask the king when you see him,
or you may ask the lady herself when
you get her out of Oxford. If you pre-
cipitate turmoil here, you are like to
tumble her pretty head in the basket.
When this war is done with l will go
far to teach you the correct method of
addressing gentleman"
Armstrong; sword dropped into
scabbard again, and he drew breath
that was sigh. The poison was al
ready at work. He remembered the
distress of the girl on the road, and her
wall, II am not worthy the love of any
honest man."
II shall never question her or any
other, but will believe her lightest
word against the world when she con-
descends to tell me. Meanwhile shall
get her out of this thieves den us soon
as may be, and when meet YOU
De Courcy had risen, and now bowed
Slightly to his perturbed guest.
"Sir, you shall meet me Mt 10, and
1t will be my privilege to conduct you
to his majesty. Good morning."
He stood by the window overlooking
the quadrangle and watched his late
visitor cross it, staggering once as if
he had partaken freely of the wine
which remained untasted on the TIA
BILE. AS the Scot disappeared under the
archway De Courcy laughed
"My fine, strutting cockercl," he NUT
tered, "I'll lay you by the heels before
two days are past. Cromwell's at
Broughton, curse his tattling tongue
How many more has he told of me;
Never mind. He's the coming man
The kings game is up, and 1 shake
the dust Of Oxford from my feet to
night. st. Denis, if she had only
known! Every man in Oxford distrusts
me except the king"
When Armstrong was Brought before
Charles he found no difficulty in con.
vincing the king that he was well
accredited envoy. and his majesty in.
CURED eagerly about the disposition of
the Scottish people toward him, the
number likely to take the field in his
behalf, who their probable leaders
were, and how soon they would be
ready for the fray. All these ques-
tons Armstrong answered us hopefully
as he could, in deep commiseration for
defeated man. The king commanded
one of his secretaries to write out the
required commission. and while this
lin he pnrposf 81 iSs 5aBsrs s M,sah t.
had not dared to bring with him.
The names of the mobiles were insert.
ed in the document from the dictation
of the Scot, then the kings seal was
affixed and Charles signed the parch.
ment He seemed in feverish haste tc
get the business done with, as If every
moment lost was irreparable When
the ink was dried and the parchment
folded Armstrong placed it in safe
keeping within his vest While thus
engaged the king said word to the
secretary, who handed him light
rapier, then whispered to the mes
senger the single word "kneel" The
Scot flushed to think he had been
wanting in the etiquette of the court
his kind heart yearning to proffer any
Difference which should be rendered
to monarch. more especially that lie
was no longer in n position to enforce
homage He dropped OH one knee and
bowed his head. Charles, rising, touch
ed the rapier blade lightly upon the
/, shoulder Of the kneeling man, saying:
rise, Sir William Armstrong, and
be assured that if you bring this poor
signature of mine to Scotland, there is
no title in my gift you may not de-
mand of me-"
Armstrong rose, awkward as school
boy, not knowing where to look or
what to say until he caught the cynical
smile Of De Courcy standing ut tho
right hand of the king.
| II congratulate you, Sir William"
said the Frenchman. The sight of the
smile aroused the new hatred against
the man which was smoldering in his
heart, and he made no reply to the
| greeting, bit said to tie king:
| "Sire, the only thanks | can tender
you is haste to the north. and may God
make my arm as strong to defend this
signature as my heart is true to your
majesty"
With that he turned his back upon
| royalty, a gricvous breach in the eyes
Of courtiers. and fed.
God grant it." said the king, with a
sigh, as he sank once more in the seat
from whence he had risen.
"Therc is no doubt OF it." said De
sourcy softly.
doubt of whatI asked the king.
''Thc oath lie took will sit lightly on
his conscience. He prayed that his
arms strength might equal his hearts
fealty. l distrust those who talk glibly
| Of their hearts, and his was most
ambiguous prayer"
Surely if ever honesty beamed from
q mans face 1t was from Armstrong;.
The Scots are trustworthy men,"
Some of them, your majesty"
Uneasy suspicion came into the sunk
en- eyes of the king as he turned them
on his chamberlain.
What do you fear, De Courcy?"
Il have been studying the man these
three days past. l accepted without
question his assurances, and threw him
OIL his guard. Cromwell loves an hon
est looking envoy, and from what Arm
strong said am sure he saw Crom-
well no farther away than Northamp-
ton. lie was very ready with his ac-
count of his own country people, but
he told us nothing about the marvellous
luck that brought him safely through a
hostile land, which we know to our
cost Is admirably patrolIed."
IF you knew this man to be a
traitor or an emissary of that rebel,
why did you bring him into our pres
ence"
Il could not be sure OF him, your
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