Morris tribune., 1904-12-03
CHAPTER XIV.
- :.
Copyright. 1908. ~
Frsdsrieks-A. Ssekss Go.

"
'Broughton,'" the innkeepel
whispered, then took bel
horse by the bride and lei
him down the street. The girl became
aware that the town was alive with
unseen men. for at every corner the
innkeeper breathed the word "Brough.
ton" to some one who had challenged
his progress She realized then that
Cromwell had surrounded Armstrong
with a ring OF flesh. living clasp, az
her own wriss had been circled earlier
In the night. At last they came sud
denly from the shadow OF the houses
into the open country, and the might
seemed lighter.
straight on for about a league
said the innkeeper. "You will be chal.
ienged by sentinel before you reach
the castle, and he will lead you there.
Remember that the word. going and re.
turning is 'Broughton.'
In spite Of herself the girl expert.
tenced that exhilaration which comes
.of the air, the freshness Of the country
and the movement Of spirited horse.
Through the night she galloped until
1aer horse suddenly placed his fore feet
sigid and came to stop so abrupt that
the shock nearly unseated her.
"Eho goes?" came the sharp chal-
ienye from under the trees that over
siadowed the highway.
''BroHghton," she answered automat.
ically.
''Are you the woman from Banbury?'
ayes"
This is Rroughton castle. will
lead your horse"
They descended slight depression
and came to drawbridge. passed un-
der an arch in the wall, then across a
.aevel lawn, on the farther side of which
stood the broad eastern front of the
sRastle with its numerous mullioned
swindows, mysterious half light in the
Aorizon playing on the blank panes,
(which, recalled the staring open eyes
sf blind man. The house seemed
high and sonber with no sign Of light
tyithin. The sentinel beat against the
door, and it was oNened at once Muf-
fled as had been the knocking on the
ADak, it awoke the alert general. for
.Mhen Frances had dsmounted and fol-
lowed her guide into the ample hall
EfOmwell stood at the head of the stair.
y candle in his hand.
''Come up" he commanded. and us
she assembled the stair cried Impatient
y, "Well"
N'There is the kings commission"
fbo
naent to him. He took it without
word, turned and entered the room, she
following him. He placed the candle
sen a table, did not take the time to
ANntie the silken cord that bound tbs
sUoyal communication, but ripped II
sasunder and spread open the crinklina
parchment, holding it up to the light. !
lie read it through to the end. then.
.easting 1t contemptuously on the table.
said:
''Wench. you have done we'll. Would
you were a man." |
'"The pardon for my brother. sir. if !
it please you" i
SIT is ready. and the commission as I
captain also. You see trusted you"
$50 did another, and through his
faith he now lies undone in Banbury."
"You have not killed him?" cried
Cromwell sharply, looking with some
thing almost like alarm at the uncanny
apparition. All beauty had deserted
her, and her face seemed pinched and
small, white as the parchment on the
table, and rendered unearthly in it's
hue by the mass Of cavern black hair.
skilled him? No! But have killed
his faith in woman, cozened him. lied
10 him, robbed him, to buy from you.
with the name of your Maker on your
lips. a life that you know was not for
feited,: but which you had the power
to Destroy
"Ahs,yes, yes. yes! l remember your
tongue of old. but it may wag harm
less now. for all of me- His life was
forfeited. Aye. and this Scots as WELL
But no: matter now"
He threw before her the pardon for
her BROTHER and his commission as
captain, then strobe out of the room
10 the!head of the stair again. and she
heard his strenuous voice:
Ride at once to the commandant at
Banbdry. Tell him the Scot goes free.
Tell him to send word north and see
Ehat he Is not molested, but should he
Aurn iD his tracks and attempt to reach
Oxford again. hold him and send word
D. me- ...
: Eyes. excellency"
SEND up stoup of wine" 49,
: He waited at the stair head until the
Wfne was brought then took it into
The room and placed it ON the table
Before. her.
= Drink" he said.
= 81 cannot she >ried.
, "Drinkw he rrared, bringing his
elincled fist downs on the oaken table
with force that made the very room
culver. The word had all the brutal
eoarseness Of an oath. and it beat down !
her weak resolution as the storm level,
the sapling. She drank deep, then let