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

lufeu Deauty. "A lone p1keman paced
up and down before the cathedral door.
but paused as he, saw this impetuous
rider. whose horse had stumbled and
fallen at the top Of the rubbish heap.
What do you there?" shouted Arm
strong, springing nimbly from his fall
en- horse. Didn't you hear the firing
Down to the street and help your COM
rades! The town is attacked! Rum
Il was told to stand here" objected
the bewildered guard.
run, confound you! Do you ques-
ton the word of an oficerY
The man, trailing his pike, ran and
disappeared down the street.
Frances. Frances, are you within?
Open the small door. It is I, Arm
strong"
Eyes, yes; knew you would come"
he heard her say, and then followed
the welcome rattle Of the bolts. But
they must be speedily drawn IL they
were to clear the way for q man hard
pressed. Over the barricade surged a
wave Of pikemen. twoscore or more,
the mounted colonel behind them urg-
ing them on with pungent oaths.
Sanctuary! Sanctuary shouted
Armstrong, raising his sword aloft,
standing under the arched doorway,
steadfast as one Of the stone knights
beside him.
In spite Of the cursing Of the colo
mel, in spite of the battered condition
Of the great church, in spite Of the
deadening influence Of the war, the
cry Of "sanctuaryv' struck home to
many Of the hearts there opposed to
the fugitive. and the pike topped crest
Of the human wave paused for one
brief Instant. yet It was enough. Be-
fore the wave broke and fell the small
door gave and swung inward. As the
pixies ratified against it Armstrong had
the bars and bolts in their places again.
Break down that door, he heard
the colonel roar outside, while the i'm
petuous William clasped the girl in
his arms and kissed her.
"Lassie, I'm glad to meet you again,
although it's just dark enough in this
place for the seeing Of any one'
The young woman shook herself free.
1--WE wasted too much time at that
before. Let it be lesson to us. This
place is stable. Our horses are we'll
fed, and the saddles are still on them"
But is there a way out?'
eyes; a small door in the northeast
corner. Come"
ut will be guarded surely"
mo. l think they wanted me to es-
cape, for they went out that way after
barring the front door. But they
didn't think you would be with me
when 1 took my leave. Come quickly
or they will be round to it from the
'front.'"
The two made their way to the far
Their end of the cathedral. where the
horses were stalled. The vast nave
was dark and would soon be black
as a cellar until the moon rose. 1t
was used as a military storehouse, as
a stable. and as dormitory. for troops
when the accommodation in the town
was overtaxed. AS Armstrong and
his companion stumbled over obstruc-
tons toward the horses, the spacious
chamber rang with the impact Of tim
Der against the stubborn doors.
Frances, knowing the geography Of
the place, led the way with her horse,
and Armstrong followed with his.
Once outside. there was more light
than he wished for. but their way to
the rear was clear, and, mounting. he
took the lead, crossing an alpine ridge
which had done duty during the siege.
and taking a somewhat terrifying
leap down to the greensward Of the
field at the back Of the cathedral.
Then they ran north through a slight
valley and for the moment were safe
from observation.
1.-THE moon will be up so0n." said
the young man, "and I don't know
to welcome 1t or fear It,"
1--WE shall do neither, as we have no
influence one way or another. and
must bear its disadvantages or the
reverse, as chance wills. Now tell me
what happened. How did you es-
cape"
The tale was soon told. half humor-
ously, as If it were an escapade rath-
er than an escape. and the narrator
wound up with a determination to |
avoid the main road in future.
II give you full credit for great In !
genuity, but we stumbled upon the !
with no plans made. !
has been done on the spur /
Of the moment, and has not been |
thought out before the crisis came. A /
few chance remarks got us clear at
while inspiration and fog
were your safety at Lichfield, and even
then by one brief instant of time. The
of such strokes of luck
and good management are not to be
looked for. Some time the moment
needed will go against US, and then all
Is lost. I propose we take to the main
road again, which must be near at
hand on our left"
"You forget we have no pass from
Cromwell now. The lieutenant has
It."
you will have a pass for yourself
the moment you are north of Manches-
A1nv