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

Continued from Page Nine.
but you are not safe until you are
over the Scottish line We shall be
north of Manchester in three or four
hours, and then you have your own
pass. You are really a most credit
able Roundhead. After Manchester
we can travel in company again, if
you wish. Have you anything better
to propose?
Eyes. l propose we stay together
and take our chances"
'Goodby," she cried gayly, touching
up her horse, then, over her shoulder
as she galloped off, "Remember-west.
safety; east, danger"
Armstrong had not only to curb his
own inclination, but his horse as well,
who viewed with evident disapproval
the departure of his mate. At the
summit of the first hill the girl turn
ed her horse across the road facing
west, waved her hand to him and dis
appeared over the crest. And thus the
journey went on; sometimes two miles
between then. sometimes less. Man
chester was seen and left in the rear.
He now tried to catch up with her.
but she kept valorously ahead. as If
she were some tabled siren Turing the
poor man on. For a time he lost sight
of her. then. as he mounted hill, saw
her standing on a crest a mile away.
like an equestrian statue against an
inky sky, but this time her horse faced
the east and he thought she was mo-
tioning with her handkerchief In that
direction.
She stood there until he sent his
horse over the hedge and made in the
direction of forest. then the darkness
seemed to swallow her up. He skirted
the edge of the wood. Rain was now
coming down heavily, but before 1t
blotted out the landscape he passed the
head Of valley and saw dimly
through the downpour large encamp-
ment of white tents. A man in drab
on a black charger stood little chance
of being seen against the dark forest
from the encampment, but he moved
on as rapidly as he could, knowing
that if a lull came in the deluge he
ran great risk of detection by the out
posts. Some distance on he stood for
time under the trees. blessing the
long cloak, which formerly he had
maligned for it's ugliness. for now 1t
proved of good material and water
proof. The girl had evidently gone
down into the camp, and he was at
a loss what to do.
He resolved to turn north, go on I'M
| til he reached some place of shelter
and there wait for Frances. Progress
was slow, for the lane had become a
uuagmire. The forest which he had
| skirted extended now to the west. and
the road became a woodland track.
| but Just where it began to penetrate
into the wilderness there shone upon
| him ray of hope. From an over
| hanging branch of the first tree hung
| a limp and dripping white rag, tied by
one on horseback in such a position
| that it might brush the face Of a rider
passing that way. He took 1t down.
| chief. He thrust this token under his
| cloak and chirruped to his discouraged
| horse. When something like mile had
| been cast behind him, his horse neigh
| ed and was answered by another far
| Their ahead. Then he came to a for
| ester's hut, and in an open shed, shell
| tered from the storm, stood the COM
| panion Of Bruce, who showed lively
| pleasure at the encounter.
Inside the hut a cheerful sight met
his eyes. A fire of fagots blazed on
| the hearth, and before it stood a radi-
ant young woman arranging the
! brands to their better burning with the
tip of her boot On high stool was
| spread her steaming cloak. In a far
| corner sat the old forester and his
wife. The moment the dripping horse
| man showed in the door the old woman
| rose and began to set out meal OF
| dark bread and swine's flesh. boiled
! and cold.
| "Ah, here you are at lastr' cried the
girl. II was beginning to fear should
have to go back to the camp for you
| Did you find my tokenT
Eyes"
"Give it to me-"
mot so. Findings are keepings. You
cannot prove your right to the proper.
IT,"
| ALAS. honest travellers are few, az
these good people seem to think. Throw
OF your cloak. Here is a wooden hook
by the IRE that I have kept for It
Draw up your stool and eat was
90 hungry that didn't wait You see
what it IL to possess a good conscience
once more"
"What news have your
| "Hush! Great news, for am the
very princess Of scouts. One thing at
4 time, however, and the one thing now
| Is this black bread. We can get moth
ing for our horses at this place, so
must set out again as soon as possible,
| - kl,o ~