The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1905-01-07
hand of a smith.


staggered to its feet, leaped the hedge,
with scream Of fear, and scampered
across the field to its farthest ex-
tremity. Armstrong swung himself to
the ground with a quieting word to
Bruce, who stood still. painting and
watching every movement Of his mas
ter. A pistol in each hand. Armstrong
strobe over to his victim.
You halter dog, traitor and scullion,
give me the kings commission"
"Sir, you have killed me-" moaned De
Courcy family.
you br1bed thief, the rope is your
end You'll take no scath through
honorable warfare. Disgorger'
De Courcy, vaguely wondering how
the other knew he carried it, drew from
within his torn doublet the second COM
mission signed by the king and handed
it up, with groan, to the conqueror.
AS 1t was an exact duplicate of the
one he had lost, even to the silken cord,
the honest Scot had not the slightest
doubt he had come by his own again,
and the prone man was equally con-
WINGED that some one had betrayed to
Armstrong his secret mission, yet for
the life Of him could not guess how
this were possible. The young man
placed the document where its pred
ecessor had been, then said to his
victim:
HAD | rope and hangman with
me you would end your life on yonder
tree. When first / learned your char
ncter you were in some danger from
my sword; moment since you stood
in jeopardy from my pistols. Beware
| our third meeting, for If you cross my
path again l will strangle you with
my naked hands If need be-"
De Courcy made no reply. he real
lied that this was not time for con
troversy. A standing man well armed
has manifest advantages over an en-
envy bruised and on the ground, and
some thought of this came to the mind
of the generous victor now that his
anger was cooling. So, whistling to
his horse, he sprang on his back and
rode to Banbury at slower pace than
he had traversed the same highway
some minutes before.
Grub down my horse well while
am at breakfast" said Armstrong to
the hostler, and, receiving every as
surance that the beast should get ear
nest attention, he went to the inn and
there found Frances awaiting him.
"Ah. my girl" he cried, you have
| - .I1r% xx,oM oop coo fhot al 0npQ
This will not do, never do at all. Blu
you are certainly looking better thi
morning than you did last night. 1
that not so"
you are looking very WELL" she saio
avoiding his question.
"Oh, I've had a morning gallop al
ready"
what! With the ride to Scotlan
still before you. Is not merciful ma
merciful to his horse"
"He should be, but / may say thi
for Bruce-he enjoyed the ride quit
as much as 1 did. And now am ray
, enous for breakfast and eager for til
road again." He tinkled little han
, bell that rested on the table.
The servant answered the tinklir
bell, and Frances busted herself actin
the housewife. She was convince
that he had as yet no knowledge Of b
: loss and wondered when and whe
! such knowledge would come to hir
She hoped the enlightenment would
delayed until they were near the Sec
: fish line or across it. Then she mu
tell him the truth at whatever cost
herself and persuade him, If she coul
not to return. When she made b
confession she would be In posid'
y to relate all Cromwell had said to be
= show him that the general had CIV
|. orders which would block any bac
e ward move and reveal his determin
y ton to hang the Scot should he enta
,, gle himself further with English 20
- tics. Yet she had the gravest douf
:, that these dangers would influence III
y These reflections troubled her un
= the time they were on their horses on
more, when Armstrong interrupt
them by crying out:
"Where's old JohnT
81 sent him on ahead long SINCE"
~ piled Frances. :,
Good! We shall soon overtake hi
H. Goodbye he cried to the hostler'
u one who had set him on the way In
!. attack on De Courcy.
IL GOOD luck to you and your fair la'
sir" replied the old man, raising
- cap in salute.
ne ''Why are you so friendly with
'H MANI" asked Frances.
.'Oh, the hostler knows much ap'
W. me-" said Armstrong. HE sees sec
ne comings and goings and draws his 81
lie conclusions. Banbury! o Lord, 81
re never forget Banburyl 1t is place
zee mystery. the keeper Of dark seer
ire and sudden rides, of midnight IN
and of treachery. Ask the Brough
Dis road. where Cromwell lies, to rev
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