Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1904-12-10

4 men are on the retreat. Defend the
town to the south. Barricade! Barri
cadew Thus he clattered through
Lichfield, shouting.
The soldiers began the running out Of
carts and whatever other Instructions
they could lay their hands upon tt
make the way difficult for the oncom
| ing colonel, who swore as loudly al
| their stupidity as If he were the kings
| own.
'"What are you about, you accused
clodhoppers? Don't you know kings
man when you see one? Leave that
rubbish and follow me to the cathe
dral."
I Armstrong; horse, nearly done, stag.
gered over the bridge and up the slight
incline that led to the cathedral pre-.
cincts. Across the gounds surrounding
the church had been raised great
earthwork, and the battered west front
Of the sacred building showed that
war had been no respecter Of sculp-
tured beauty. A lone pikeman paced
up and down before the cathedral door,
but paused as he saw this impetuous
rider, whose horse had stumbled and
fallen at the top Of the rubbish heap.
"What do you there?" shouted Arm
strong, springing nimbly from his fall
en- horse. didn't you hear the firing?
Down to the street and help your COM
rades! The town is attacked! RUM
II was told to stand here" objected
the bewildered guard.
"Run, confound you! Do you ques-
ton the word Of an oficer?"
The man, trailing his pike, ran and
disappeared down the street.
Frances, Frances, are you within ?
Open the small door. It is I, Arm
strong"
eyes, yes; knew you would come"
he heard her say, and then followed
the welcome rattle Of the bolts. But
they must be speedily drawn If they
were to clear the way for a man hard
pressed. Over the barricade surged a
wave of pikemen, twoscore or more,
the mounted colonel behind them urg-
ing them on with pungent oaths.
Sanctuary! Sanctuaryp' shouted
Armstrong, raising his sword aloft,
standing under the arched doorway,
steadfast as one Of the stone knights
beside him. "a -
In spite Of the cursinge of the colo
mel, in spite of the battered condition
Of the great church, in spite of the
deadening influence of the war, the
cry of "Sanctuaryw' struck home to
many of the hearts there opposed to
the fugitive, and the pike topped crest
of the human wave paused for one
brief instant, yet it was enough. Be
fore the wave broke and fell the small
door gave and swung inward. AS the
pixies ratified against it Armstrong had
the bars and bolts in their places again
"Break down that door, he heard
the colonel roar outside, while the i'm
petuous William clasped the girl in
his arms and kissed her.
"Lassie, I'm glad to meet you again,
although it's just dark enough in this
place for the seeing Of any one"
The young woman shook herself free.
''We wasted too much time at that
before. Let it be a lesson to us. This
place is stable. Our horses are well
fed, and the saddles are still on them
"But is there way out?'
"Yes; a small door in the northeast
corner. Come"
''It will be guarded surely"
mo. think they wanted me to es-
cape, for they went out that way after
barring the front door. But they
didn't think you would be with me
when l took my leave. Come quickly
Or they will be round to it from the !;
'front.'"
The two made their way to the far
Their end of the cathedral, where the /
horses We're stalled. The vast nave !
was dark and would soon be black
as cellar until the moon rose. 1t !
was used as military storehouse, as
4 stable. and as dormitory for troops
when the accommodation in the town
was overtaxed. AS Armstrong and !
his companion stumbled over obstruc-
ions toward the horses, the spacious
chamber rang with the impact of tim
Der against the stubborn doors.
Frances, knowing the geography of
he place. led the way with her horse,
Ind Armstrong followed with his.
Once outside, there was more light
han he wished for, but their way to
he rear was clear. and, mounting, he
ook the lead, crossing an alpine ridge
which had done duty during the siege,
md taking a somewhat terrifying
cap down to the greensward Of the
ield at the back of the cathedral.
Then they ran north through slight
ALLEY and for the moment were safe
rom observation.
"The moon will be up soon," said
he young man, "and 1 don't know
whether to welcome it or fear it."
"We shall do neither, as we have no
influence one way. or another, and