The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-07-15

here and Manchester. once north Of
Manchester think you are fairly safe.
So propose we ride now for the main
road and keep going as long a. our
horses are able to travel"
agreed! But, following your own
instructions. what are we to say when
we are stopped? We have no pass. %
how am I to account for myself?"
"You are a Roundhead soldier, sent
on to Manchester by the colonel at
Lichheld."
Il look like Roundhead soldierr'
cried William. with laugh.
you will. 1t is always well to have
some one in travelling party who can
think. Have you not noticed the load
you carry behind your saddle?"
Armstrong turned. The rising moon
displayed steel cap that looked like
an overturned pot and a bundle Of
cloth, all neatly strapped on.
1.-The cathedral Is q st0rehouse for
uniforms and accouterments enough to
ut out regiment. selected the lar
gest suit I could ind, with cloak and
cap, and belted them to your saddle.
Now shall hold your horse while you
to into the thicket and change your raj
ment. Conceal your cavalier costume
as well as you can, 90 that II they trace
us over this fog sodden turf, which II
likely, they will get no hint Of your
new appearance. It might be well to
climb a tree and tie your discarded
shell among the leaves with the atrapa
that bind the bundle to your horse, and
be careful to leave neither the kinGo
message nor your purse with your IN
cry"
It was happy omen for future do
nestle peace that the huge man did It
once and without question what the
comparatively fragile young woman
babe him, she holding his horse while
he made the rapid change. When he
emerged the horse plunged. and she
had some ado to hold him until he
heard his masters voice and laugh.
They speedily came upon the main
road and cantered on through the beau
tiful night, determined to put fifty
miles or thereabout between them
selves and Lichfield, but before they
had accomplished half that distance
Armstrong saw that the girl was COM
pletely exhausted in spite Of her dis
Chalmers, for aside from the tiresome
night before. 1t was most tempting to
push on, for the night was perfect and
the road was good. Even though they
passed through several villages they
were not questioned. Soldiers in drab
clOaks and steel caps were too common
on the road to cause comment, and
they were as yet In advance Of any
news Of escape.
At last they came to a farmhouse
near the roadside, and Armstrong beat
up the inmates, bringing woman's
head to an opened window. At first
she would admit no one at that hour Of
the night, but the moon shining on the
steel cap and the long cloak apparently
gave her confidence. Her husband was
in the south with Cromwell, she said.
She could make a place In the house.
for the lady, but the soldier would lind
better accommodation than he was ac-
customed to in an clubhouse.
With this Armstrong expressed him
self as amply satisfied. They dismount-
ed, and he led away the horses. He
found a place for them in a shed. ex-
amined them and rubbed them down
with care. Having satisfied himself
that they were none the worse for
their long journey, he attended to their
wants and flung down some bundles
Of straw for his own nights lodging.
He began to think he must go supper
less or run the risk Of foraging in an
unknown pantry, II he could find en-
trance, when he saw Frances approach
from the house with a loaf Of bread
and lump of cheese on trencher and
a measure Of ale.