Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-12-07
CHAPTER Nvll.

Il MOTHER glorious summer
IA morning greeted the pilgrims
IA at York; morning SO clear
and splendid that it seemed to
have lifted the gloom which covered
the captured city, as the sun might
dissipate a veil of mist. In spite of
her fatigue of the day before Frances
was the first afoot, and at this setting
forth Armstrong and old John were
she laggards, as she blithely informed
them when they appeared.
AS they rode away from the ancient
town the girl could scarcely refrain
from joining the larks in their matin
song, such Il strange feeling of elation
filled her being. She glanced sideways
ut Armstrong riding so easily on his
splendid horse. What Il noble looking
youth he was, and how we'll his new
attire became him! Again she glanced
Mt him, and thus caught his gaze bent
upon her. He smiled ut her-was smil-
ing when she turned her head.
Il can read your thoughts in your
face" he said.
Can you" she asked in alarm.
Eyes. At first the pure sweet beauty
Of the morning appealed 10 you. You
were glad to leave the shut in streets
of the town and be once more in the
fresh open country. The thought of
your brother came to you, and the sun
shine Of your face died out in sorrow
for him, wishing you had news of him.
Do not be concerned for him. / have
seen many a wound deeper than his
and they were of small account with
| youth and health to contend against
them"
The girl sighed and turned her face
away, making no comment upon his
conjectures. which were SO far astray
from accuracy. Why had she given
no thought to her brother, whose wei
| fare had never before been absent from
her mind, yet who never before was i'll
such danger us now! Why had Il
strangers image come between them
SO monopolizing her mental vision that
| all her pity had been for him? A help.
less rage at the part assigned to her
| filled her heart with bitterness and her
eyes with tears
The young man saw that some strong
emotion had orerpowered her. against
which all her struggles We're III vai.
| Instant sympathy with her sorrow man.
| ifested itself in his action. lie brought
his horse close besiC- her. reached out
and touched her hand.
| Dear heart. do not grievc," he said
tendelly. ~ pledge my faith you,
fear about Kim. He'll be out and
about by the time you are home again
But cone we have now q level road
before us. Let us gallop. There's moth.
| ing so cheers the mind as n Charge or
Il good horse. We will make old John
| stir his stumps."
They set off together, and old John
did his best to keep them in sight
Some fourteen miles from York they
baited their horses, then pusho i OIL
through Bawtry until TuXford came il
| sight more than an hour and hall
after noontide. IL longer stretch thar
Armstrong thought good for either
man or beast. 1t was not yet i,
the morning when they left York, and
with the exception Of bite and sur
Mt their only halting place they had
nothing to eat until 2 o'clock. Many
Of the numerous inns along the road
were deserted and in ruins; the farther
south the journey was prolonged the
| more evident became the traces Of war
and Armstrong found that he had
scant choice as to resting places.
81 hope" said the girl, who knew
| the road, "that the Crown at Tux.