Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-11-12

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He took her to an upper room an6
explained to her the action of the con
cealed door, which moved without 6
sound on well oiled hinges.
During the night you occupy this
room. I shall have horse ready and
will be in waiting for you myself until
morning. I 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 a 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 at 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 a
deed where she herself acted the lead
ing part. He was mercenary, doubt
less, doing what he was bid, but against
a stranger and an enemy, while she
| plotted against friend and a man
WHO trusted Qer.
Fervently she prayed that Providence
might intervene between the resolu-
ton and its accomplishment, in some
way rendering her project unnecessary.
! There was a slight hope that the sus-
picious king might not receive Arm
strong as the envoy of the Scots. He
carried no credentials, and Charles, if
he employed him, must accept the bor-
derer's unsupported word that he 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 to Scotland, while
she would he relieved Of this fell be-
rrayaI, rom 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, as 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
as 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 a 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 obedient 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 abashed |
him, silencing his song and POPULARITY. |
But lover must be bold if he would |
prosper. Here was heaven sent op-
portunity, and what more can man
ask than that? In an hour or two they
would be in the midst of a thronged |
city, where she would meet the friends |
she expected to see. 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
q great deal must depend on the pre-
SentatiOn of the case. Why had he let
slip so many chances Of getting infor-
nation on a subject that now loomed
T. ~ o NH
had gone mile or two in silence; a
silence in marked contrast to his So
1lferOuS setting out. FRANCES reared
hat her seemingly sullen Indifference
had offended him, and, glancing sur
'eptitiously at him from under her long
ashes, met his own eyes fixed upon
her. She smiled little and said:
"Have you no more songs?'
II have one more,' he answered.
peaking hurriedly, "but 1 have neve;
Jung it before, and am just little in
loubt how to begin. think if l go!
he measure of it l could carry it on.
,ut am not sure
every we'll, let me hear the song. Is
one of those fighting ballads?"
imple"
"Ohv' said the girl, with a GOODNESS
hat froze instantly his budding en-
husiasm. She sat up straighter on her
orse and turned her face resolutely
oward Oxford, as if she did not ap
rove the tendency of the conversation.
lrmstrong was stricken dumb at find
ng his indirect course thus blocked be-
ore him. The girl was the first to speak.
81 wonder how soon we will be in
light of Oxford" she said. !
mot for a long time, hope"
"Why do you say that? Are you not
9 eager as to reach OXford?"
"There are some important matters {
} be settled before we come to the end {
our journey" c
Frances directed upon him look Of U
roubled resolution. Intuitively she q
new that they were come to the edge
{ a declaration which she had hoped t
hight be avoided. Several times on b
lie way the danger seemed to approach f