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

i, malt and the hops. 1t never crossed
your mind that it was dungeon you
were approachingY
Il thought If you did anything it
would be hanging"
+ "And why not?"
Because my death by rope would be-
just the little FLIP that Scotland needs
at the present moment. I'd like to see
ye hang me! There's poor Traquair
at his wits end for disbursement
through dissension among the people
and their leaders. You hang me and
you've done the trick for him."
For some moments the general kept
silence, then he said abruptly:
Twill you take a commission in my
army?
Il will not"
| Il thought you were fighter"
Il am. but prefer to engage under
Traquair's banner if he raises It."
Against me?"
"Just that"
"And you think will let you go?"
"Fll take my oath on it."
"You are right. The way is clear to
Scotland, to Oxford, or where you
please. What have you come to me
for?"
For Frances Wentworth"
II thought as much. In this cannot
oblige you. With you l have nothing
to do. and you are at liberty. That
wench Of Wentworth's stands on a diff
ferent footing, inasmuch as she has
proved traitor to her own. l shall do
nothing to injure her, but she shall
taste captivity until she confesses her
error"
"She is no traitor, but did we'll the
work you set for her."
Il set no work for her. Twas given
to her brother, and his folly brought
her into the business"
"You gave your consent at North
ampton; thus say you set her to the
task, and we'll she performed 1t. II
your men had done your bidding al
faithfully, l had never crossed the
Esk."
and more honest than you; she admits
it."
II say she is true woman" cried
Armstrong, red anger flushing his
brow. The hot border blood spraDa
into mastery for the first time during
their controversy, and he failed to note
that Cromwell remained cold as at the
beginning, and might be negotiated
with, if he had remembered the com.
mander's resolve to enlist the Scot In
his service. But before the general
could give hint of bargain, the Inn
petuousity of the younger man left
him only the choice of killing the Scot
where he stood, or apparently succumb
ing to him, most dangerous alterna
tive had Armstrong to deal with one
less schooled in the repression Of his
feelings than Cromwell. The i'll adj
vised bordercr dropped his hat silently
to the floor. flashed forth his sword
and presented it at his opponents
throat.
"They tell me you wear concealed
armor'-hs voice was quiet in its
intensity, almost a whisper-"but that
will not help you. No human power
can avail you at this moment, for II
you cry out my blade advances, and q
bit Of your backbone sticks to the
point of it. You see I cannot help my.
self, but must kill you unless l get
your promise"
Cromwell sat rigid. not muscle Of
face or body moving. The sword was
held as steady as a beam of the roof.
II implore you to heed me-" con-
tinued the young man, seeing the other
did not intend to speak. II implore
you, as If 1 were on my Bonded knees
before you. and my life in your hands
instead of yours In n,1ue. Will you let
the great affairs of state be jeopardized
to thwart two lovers? With you slain,
the king wins, for there is none in Eng.
land can fill your place. Have you
sons and daughters Of your own that
your heart goes out to? Think Of them,
and be kind to u.s."
"Will you marry the g1rlT
Surely, surely"
Here, before you depart togetherT
Here and now, If there is one to
knot u.s."
"You know that promise given I'M
der coercion does not hold?'
II know it well, but the word Of Cen
eral Cromwell is enough for me, once
it is passed. however given"
"Then take down your sword; !
promise, and am well rid of you both"
With deep sigh Of relief Armstrong
sheathed his sword and lifted his hat
from the floor. Cromwell rose from
his chair and paced twice up and down
the long room between the great moon
lit windows and the table. He paused
in his march, looked up at the dim sal
lery and said:
cobb. come down."
To Armstrong; amaZement. wh7
thought he had been alone with the
general, he heard lurching heavy steps
come dumping down the wooden stair,
and a trooper, with primed musket In
his hand, stood before his master.
cobb, why did you not shoot this
man dead when you saw him draw his
sWOrdY'