Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-14
selves that travellers who stopped with

selves that travellers who stopped with
them We're properly vouched for, other
wise it would be his duty to detain
them and report to the local command
ant. She presented the pass to him
without u word, and he read it in ST.
lence, then looked at her as if lie ex-
pected some comment. AT last he said:
perhaps you intend to stop here on
your return:'
Eyes. Have you received instructions
already?"
81 have, and everything is prepared.
Would you come up now and look ut
the room? Then. if for any reason
am not here when you come back you
will see that no mistake is made"
He took her to an upper room and
explained to her the action of the con-
cealed door, which moved without
sound on well oiled hinges.
During the night you occupy this
room. shall have a horse ready and
will be in waiting for you myself until
morning. am to show you the way
to the castle. You will find the road to
Oxford without impeachment until you
reach the lines of the king. hope you
will have Il safe sojourn there and a
speedy return"
The girl thanked him for his good
wishes with what courtesy she could
call to her aid, for ut heart she loathed
him, his smooth, oily, ingratiating man.
ner and his shifty glance making
her SILVER with repulsion. Yet, she
said to herself, conscience accusing,
this man was merely an assistant in
deed where she herself acted the lead
ing part. He was a mercenary, doubt
less, doing what he was bid, but against
n stranger and an enemy, while she
plotted against friend and man
who trusted her.
Fervently she prayed that Providence
might intervene between the resolu-
ton and its accomplishment, in some
way rendering her project unnecessary.
There was slight hope that the sus-
picious king might not receive Arm
strong rs the envoy of the Scots. He
carried no credentials, and Charles, If
he employed him. must accept the Dor
derer's unsupported word that lie was
what he declared himself to be. She
feared that Charles was In such straits
that he would clutch at any straw, but
hoped his natural distrust would come
into play, so that Armstrong might re-
turn empty handed 20 Scotland. while
she would be relieved of this fell he
trayal, from which, as events stood,
she saw no way of escape.
Glad was she to leave Banbury be-
hind her, but tremblingly did she dread
the time when she should see it again.
The road, rs the innkeeper had predict
ed, was clear, and now for the first time
during that journey she was alone with
her fellow traveller, old John pottering
over his lame horse in the stables of
the Banbury inn.
The spirits of the young man were
rs high as those of the girl were low.
He saw that for some reason unknown
to him she was depressed, and he tried
to banter her into more cheerful
frame of mind; but, this effort bringing
with it Indifferent success, he broke
out into song and caroled to her some
Of the border ballads.
Several times the obedicnt Bruce,
guided by an unseen touch, edged
close to her, but Armstrong could not
fail to perceive that the girl shrank
from his proximity. and this abSshed
him, silencing his song and POPULARITY.
But Il lover must be bold if he would
prosper. Here was heaven sent OPP
portunity, and what more can man
ask than that? In an hour or two they
would be in the midst of thronged
city, Where she would meet the friends
she expected to sec. Who could pre-
dict what might happen? 1t was pos
sible she would elect to remain in OK
ford. One or more of her friends might
accompany her back to Durham. Now
or never was the MOTTO Yet he had
not the least notion how he ought to
begin, but thought that in such crisis
a great deal must depend ON the pre-
sentation of the case. Why had he let
slip SO many chances of getting infor-
nation on n subject that now doomed
with new Importance before him? They
had gone mile or two in silence; a
silence in marked contrast to his So
niferous setting out. Frances feared
that her seemingly sullen indifference
had offended him, and, glancing sur
reptitiously at him from under her long
lashes, met his own eyes fixed upon
her. She smiled little and said:
"Have you no more songs?"
II have one more" he answered,
speaking hurriedly, "but have new
sung it before. and am just a little l.
doubt how to begin. think If l got
the measure of 1t could carry it on,
but am not sure"
Every well, let me hear the song. Is
1t one Of those fighting ballads?"
mo. 1t is love song, pure and
simple"
"Oh" said the girl, with GOODNESS
that froze instantly his budding en-
thusiasm. She sat up straighter on her
horse and turned her face resolutely
toward Oxford, as If she did not ap-
prove the tendency Of the conversation.
Armstrong was stricken dumb ut find
ing his indirect course thus blocked be-
fore him. The girl was the first to speak.
II wonder how soon we will be In
sight of Oxford" she said.
mot for a long time, hope"
"Why do you say that? Are you not
as eager Us to reach Oxford?"
Iro BE CONTINUED