The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-20

IA ly behind him. The melody
was coming from the broad
stairway and ceased as the singer
seemed to pause on the landing. He
remembered that landing as he came
I'D with his burden. He stood hesitat'
ing. undecided whether to advance as
far as the head Of the stair or await
the coming Of the girl where he was
Then he heard her voice evidently
calling through the open window:
John, there are two saddled horses
under the trees. See who has come"
Armstrong strobe forward to the
stair head.
"Your pardon, madam" he said. Zone
Of the horses is mine; the other be.
longs to your brother. May ask the
man to look after them?'
The girl turned quickly, her dark eyes
wide with alarm. Into the mind of
the intruder, looking down upon her
from his elevation, flashed the words
of her brother: at simply means you
have not yet met the right woman.
When you meet her, you will be in as
great daze as that in which l found
you at the crossroads"
"She is magnificent" he said to him
self. With her mass Of black hair fall
ing in wavy cascade over her shout
ders, her midnight eyes appealing and
dashed with fear that swept the
color from her cheeks, she looked a
pallid goddess.
my brother!' she cried at last.
what of him." Then, noticing the
blood on Armstrong; coat, she gave
utterance to a startled exclamation,
moving a step forward and checking
herself. "Is he wounded? Has there
been battle? Where is hep
HE is wounded, but not seriously. I
brought him to his own ROOM"
Without another word she sprang up
the stair, past her interlocutor, and
few along the hail. disappearing into
the invalid's chamber. Armstrong
thought 1T best not to intrude at the
moment of their meeting, so passed
on down the stair and out to the
horses. where he found an old servitor
standing guard over them. Armstrong
dispatched him for the doctor.
Then he led his own horse to a stall
in the stables, took off saddle and bri.
die, then went to the well and removed
the stains from his clothing as well
as water would do it. Going toward
the house he met the girl
my brother says you tell him the
wound is not dangerous. Is that trueY'
she asked.
"Quite true. I've had a dozen worse
myself he replied, with encouraging
exaggeration. But he will have to
lie still for a month or more"
"He says that is. impossible, but I
told him he shall do as the doctor or
ders. duty or no duty. 1 am going to
send for DR.. Marsden, so pray pardon
me-"
Il have already sent for DR.. Mars
den. took that liberty, for it is bet
ter in such a case to lose no time"
The girl turned and walked to the
house with him. He found the patient
restless and irritable. The wan white
ness of his face had given place to ris-
ing fever His eyes were unnaturally
bright. and they followed Armstrong
with a haunted look in them.
When DR.. Marsden arrived he went
about his work in businesslike fash
ion. A physician of that day had
ample experience with either gunshot
or sword wounds, each being plentiful
enough to arouse little curiosity respect
ing their origin. He brusquely turned
Armstrong and the sister out of the
room after having requisitioned what
materials he needed, and the two stood
together in anxious and somewhat en-
barrassed silence on the landing, with
in call If either were needed. The
girl was the first to speak
Il fear my brothers case is more
dangerous than you would have me
suppose" she said in tremulous voice
Not from the wound" he answered.
From what. then?' she asked in sur
prise.
Il do not know. He has something
on his mind. l saw that from the mo-
ment he was hurt. He is very brave,
and this accident in itself would make
little impression on him. My acquaint-
ance with him Is but few hours old,
yet know he is fearless youth. Are
you aware of a mission that takes him
to Oxford?"
Il have not the least knowledge of
1t. heard no hint Of his going, and he
said nothing Of his journey when we
spoke together"
HE told me he had expected a COM
rade who had failed him. Cromwell
himself gave him a pass for two. He
said he was to see the brother Of his
sweetheart, who is with the king in
Oxford"
THAT is very likely. The two were
great friends always, even when they
took opposite sides in this deplorable
contest which Is rending our distracted
country"
There must be more than friend
ship In this journey; otherwise Crom-
well would not have given him such
pass as he holds. If can render
service to him In Oxford I shall be
glad to undertake his commission"
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