The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-29

| more SuperDly att1re0 than ever had
been the case before, but Armstrong
held that this was merely interested
praise Of the castle tailor. Traquair
endeavored to persuade him not tc
trust himself again on English soil.
but his advice was unheeded, as is
usually the fate Of unasked counsel.
! TraQuair wished him to take a body
guard Of score or more, but Arm
strong pointed out that unless he had
an army at his back able to defeat
| Cromwell's forces all other assistance
was useless.
| When Armstrong had once gone
over a road he needed no other guide
than his own memory and instinct of
direction. He made directly for the
farm stealing where first he had been
arrested, and found it deserted; then
took the route over which his captOrs
had conducted him, expecting to reach
Corbiton Manor before darkness set in.
This plan was frustrated by the fact
| that he had allowed too scant time for
the Gordon across the country to be
withdrawn.
About midday Armstrong caught
sight Of the first large body Of men,
and he was compelled to hide for sew
eral hours in a depression on the moor
until they and the danger We're past.
This delay retarded his arrival at Cor
biton Manor until after nightfall. when
the full moon shone upon the ancient
mansion. instead of the silver crescent
which hung in the western sky when
last he visited the place. 1t seemed in
credible that the space Of time could
have been so short, for the events of a
life were crowded into the interval. As
he approached the ancient house the
challenge of a sentinel brought him to
a stand and called from the hall sew.
eral officers.
us Cromwell hereT' asked the new
conner.
"This is the headquarters Of his ex-
cellency General Cromwell" said one
of the officers, with some severity in
his tone, rebuke to the questioners
offhand method of designation.
That's the man l mean," replied
Armstrong. Il never heard there were
two of the name or the kind. Well
tell him that William Armstrong, who
carried the commission from the king
to Scotland, is here and requires pri,
vate conference with him."
The chief officer hesitated for mo-
ment then turned and disappeared
within the mansion, while Armstrong
dismounted and gave to the soldier who
took his horse minute instructions
touching the treatment of the animal.
you are all good horsemen," said
the visitor in his most genial accents
land will doubtless respect Bruce here
whatever you think of his master. fol
this is the charger that louped over the
parapet of Carlisle bridge, and. after
that, beat the best you had in your
cavalry in a race for the border. II
your chief should come to disagree
ment with me, take care of the horse
at least, for you haven't another like
him."
The horse was led away. palpably
admired By all the men. for some OF
them stroked and patted his flank
speaking soothingly to him. William
stood with his hands in his pockets
the center of a ring Of armed men. his
gay dress in striking contrast to the
more sober uniform Of his guards
Cromwell was taking his time making
up his mind, and the young man
thought this delay was not an encour,
| cir III bod
between the lions jaws, and the min
utes that passed before he could know
whether the brute was going to bite OF
not were irksome to him, especially an
there was now nothing to do but await
the issue. At last the officer reap
peared, dismissed the guard and sale
CURLY to the prisoner:
Follow me-"
Armstrong was ushered into the huge
room which he remembered SO we'll
and found Cromwell sitting alone al
the table, as If he had never left 1t
Even the two candles stood where they
had been placed before, but the face
Of the seated man seemed more inscru
, table. more stern than he recollected 1t
Armstrong swept off his feathered
hat most courteously as be approached
the table, bowed and, standing at ease
on the spot he had formerly occupied
said:
Good evening, general" The gen
eral lifted his heavy eyes and. al
) though his firm mouth remained I'M
mobile. the slightest suspicion OF
twinkle scintillated for one brief mo
ment in his searching glance.
Good evening. You wished to SCI
mer
Eyes, general, and have come froD
Scotland this very day for no othse
purpose"
"You are out of employment, per
. haps, and are looking for re-engage'
ment?'
"Well, general. If was, you are the
man should come to for a recommen
dation. In a manner Of speaking, you
are in the right. have been riding hard
this while back for other folk. and
now l have taken a bit Of journey on
NM oxyp account Won soc nv case is