The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-12-31

oSSAetoiJ, WHO nanueu MIN 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 he
was no longer in position to enforce
homage. He dropped on 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 a school
boy, not knowing where to look or |
what to say until he caught the cynical |
smile of De Courcy standing at the |
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 but said to the king:
"Sire, the only thanks l can tender
you is haste to the north, and may God
a.al1e 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 grievous breach in the eyes
OF courtiers, and fled.
"God grant It," said the king, with n
sigh, as he sank once more in the seat
from whence he had risen.
.srhere is no doubt OF it." said De
Gourcy softly.
, doubt Of what?" asked the king.
1.-The oath he took will sit lightly on
his conscience. He prayed that his
. arms strength might equal his hearts
, fealty. l distrust those who talk glibly
t of their hearts, and his was a most
| ambiguous prayer"
8 Surely If ever honesty beamed from
i a mans face 1t was from Armstrong;
l. The Scots are trustworthy men,"
"Some of them, your majesty"
g Uneasy suspicion came into the sunk
en- eyes Of the king as he turned then
l. on his chamberlain.
lei What do you fear, De CourcyT
t. st have been studying the man these
ID three days past. 1 accepted withou
10 question his assurances, and threw hin
le OF his guard. Cromwell loves an hon
le est looking envoy, and from what Arm
T. strong said l am sure be saw Crom
we'll no farther away than NorthamI
r ton. He was very ready with his &C
count of his own country people, bu
h. he told us nothing about the marvelou
n luck that brought him safely through
d hostile land, which we know to GU
or cost is admirably patrolled."
IT. eff you knew this man to be
~ traitor or an emissary of that rebe
80 why did you bring him into our pre-
he enceT
ID 81 could not be sure Of him, yol
majesty, and there was always
odl chance that he was loyal and migl
ed get through"
'"To raise my hopes like this and the
dash them to the groundT'
~ mot So your majesty, II you WI
-, pardon me. Do you place important
on this commission
H 1.-THE utmost Importance. l kno
en Traouair. and he will raise all Scotial
for me If this commission reach MIN
~ Then we will max siccar, as a I
nous Scot once said"
"Ah, De Courcy, that was said VIII
- a treacherops murder was fntende
How will you make sure that Ar
~. strong Is honestT'
AN 1T should trouble no more about Ar
az strong, but If you will Issue dupnct
the of that commission l will guaranl
her that 1t reaches the hand of Traqua
Ivy I am Frenchman and subject
the French king, 1 carry my passp'
my to that effect. Even If l am stopI
est I shall resist search ON the ground
on my nationality, and Cromwell Is
lali greatly in awe of the power OF tral
DON to risk its might being thrown In
scale against him. Indeed l doubt
Veo / could offer a greater service 10 y
majesty than to be captured ana
anu peal to Louis"
you The kings face cleared.
nYou would not stop Armstr'
ing them
late "Assuredly, not. If his copy gets
8 II CromwelPs hands he may slacken
zine oIor+ness and not be on the outl
Ia for duplicate. AS 1 said before, II
the Is a chance the Scot plays fair, but
commissions in the hands OF Iraq'
nut will do no harm, and we max sicc
fore "You are in the right, and your
at vice is always of the best. How
que. will you be ready to leaveF
me? This very moment, your maze
nan. There Is no time to be lost
lake "True! True! True" Then 10
to- secretary: write another. DO
only remember the namesY
-usts eyes, your majesty. have I
here on a slip"
.fora q. -l.o.,rcr hnda farewell % Lne !