The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-12-24


was bubbling over with high spirits.
He suddenly threw back his head and
laughed aloud, as If some humorous
recollection had come to him.
''That poor officer must have thought
me mad. When l came in from the
stables called for the lans.lady and
asked where you were She said You
were in your room. / then requested
her to find out If you would see me for
a moment, and without reply she dis
appeared up the stair. Iwaited and
waited, but she did not return. The
officer was now by my side, chattering
away about something to which gave
no attention. All at 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, 10 learn some
thing Of me and what 1 was about"
mo one asked me anything about
you or your business" said the girl.
"Of course not. l see that plainly
low, but 1 give you my word 1t was
:eal enough then. Without word OF
warning broke in on the amazed Of
jcer and shouted Where is General
Cromwell? The man looked dunn
founded, as we'll he might. Then he
answered quietly enough, The general
| is In the CASTLE half mile from here
Even then a glimmer of sense came to
me, and | explained that the general
| had passed us that afternoon, and 4
wondered II he had stopped at North
| ampton. The officer said he had, and
next moment the landlady appeared
at the stair head, and you moment
or two after What tricks imagination
can play with manT
81 was as anxious as you were last
night, and shall always think of North
ampton as the gloomiest town l ever
saw"
II am glad to be quit of it. wonder
If that officer has given us the right
direction? 1t seems to me that we
should be bearing farther south for
Oxford. But perhaps the road takes
turn presently"
1.-THE road is right for the way we are
going We pass through Banbury
which is not much longer than the di
.. rect route. l intend to leave old JohI
l at Banbury, and with him this per
nit, which will be a danger to carr,
: until we turn north again. Banbur.
= in on the straight road to Scotland
which suppose will be the way yo'
!, 90 on your return"
you are right In that. I'll trave
: north as the crow flies II / cam
:, "Then what say you to making Bar
bury our first stop on the homewar
run after we leave oxford, taking earl
=, to the road the next morningT
IL "How far is Banbury from Oxford /
u. LESS than thirty miles, think"
II "Oh. we can do better than that.
Is must make from seventy to one hui
+ dred miles day on my road home
" "There is sometimes real speed in a
. parent slowness."
ie NTrue We shall be guided by G
y cumstances, of course. Much Will q
We pend on the hour of the day we a
MS done with Oxford"
Frances said nothing more, for s
Ut saw that the stop at Banbury won
ne have to be managed from Oxford, a
'ie that it would require some tact on .
H. part to arrange 1t. The ever increasi
H. moon was against her, for II there W
he much delay at Oxford, not only wor
~. Armstrong be the more Impatient
III get north, but night would soon be
most as light as day, and theref'
re- travel would only be limited by the
'eu durance of themselves and their hors
at She wished Cromwell had selec
on some spot at least fifty miles fart
ap- away than Banbury, but, with 81
MI. accepted the conditions presented
ere her and resolved to do her best
At Bunbury she had no difficulty
'e," leading her unsuspicious comrade
the the Banbury Arms, and there they
aoe old John with his crippled horse.
d, landlord was q quiet, furtive look
ON man, with manner that suggested
10 intermittent glancing over the sn'
auy der. Frances resolved to say notn
to him at this time, believing they
ow. come SO quickly fron= Northamr
MIN that she was in advance OF any
structions he was to receive, but In
see she was mistaken. With Cromwell
decide was to act, and some one
'tair evidently come through in the nj
wer While they halted, waiting the prep
hne ton of meal, the soft footed innk
hich er, watching his opportunity drew
ling girl aside and asked her II she
two sessed a pass; If SO he would Tx
The see ii. He was very apologize, So.
ne all public house keepers so near 10
at ford were compelled by the MIL
low, charge of the town to assure u
Ilert- selves that travellers who stopped
con- them were properly vouched for o.
their wise 1t would be his duty to DC
'ut them and report to the local comm
hand ant She presented the pass to
y. without word. and he read II
shed lence, then looked at her as II ID
( to- pected some comment Al last ne
perhaps you intend to stop bel
Iskeo your RETURN
Eyes. Have you received instrue