The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-27
CHAPTER XVI.
Csexrt(As. 1908. BY
Frslsrick II. .SfoksS Co.


hall, visibly impatient However, he
appeared gratified that the stranger
had contented himself with so short an
interview.
Armstrong bade the practitioner fare
WELL and this proved the last he was
to see of him. The young man went
to the stables to feed and water Bruce,
not knowing how soon he might have
need Of him.
Returning to the house he met Fran
ces Wentworth evidently in search of
him. It seemed to him she had been
change in the cordially Of her man.
ner toward him. He feared this was
perhaps to be accounted for by the
admiration of her beauty which his
glances might have betrayed, and he
resolved to be more careful in future.
although it was difficult to repress the
exaltation he felt at the prospect of
being her companion on long and
possibly dangerous expedition.
HAS my brother spoken to you of
my visit to Oxford?" she asked.
"Yes."
would it be as convenient to you to
set out tomorrow morning as this after
noOnY"
"Quite. 1t would be better, in fact
for ny horse had a hard day of it yes
terday, travelling l don't know how
many miles. Perhaps you can tell me
where 1 am. l could get no informa-
ton from my surly jailers."
you are in the southern part of Dur
ham, near the Yorkshire border"
1--WE have come even farther than I
thought. A days rest will do no harm
to the horse"
II thank you," the girl said some
what primly as she turned away.
Then, pausing and hesitating mo-
ment, she continued, with face half
averted, MY brother and l are twins,
and perhaps the more devoted to each
other on that account. would do
anything for him. / wish to stay and
see the nurse installed
Il thoroughly understand the situa-
ton, and l wish l were able to tell
you how completely 1 sympathize with
you. Although I know your brother
SO short time, am only too glad to
be of the slightest assistance to him."
This gracious avowal did not appear
to have the effect it merited. Some
trace of a frown marred the smooth
ness Of the girls brow, and her lips
became compressed. If a stranger is
to be robbed and thwarted it is embar-
RAISING to hear friendly protestations
from him, especially when there is no
doubt about their truth"
II thank you," she murmured again
and left him abruptly.
It was very early next morning when
Armstrong stood by his black horse in
the lane under the trees, waiting for
his fair charge, who seemed to exercise
the privilege Of her sex in being late.
Old John was already mounted ON an
animal that, besides carrying him, was
pack horse for the luggage required by
the young lady on her travels. When
the girl appeared Armstrong stepped
forward to offer his assistance, but he
was fraction of a second too late for,
ignoring him, she was in her saddle
and away before he could utter word
He admired the light ease with which
she accomplished this act and saw at
once she was a practical horsewoman,
on as good terms with her steed as he
was with his own. She rode down the
lane to the main road, then turned
south, never looking again toward the
home she was leaving-hurrying, in
deed, as If it were her purpose to get
out OF sight as soon as possible
After an hour Of this Armstrong be-
gan to wonder where he was going
Nothing had been said to him regard
ing the route to be taken. and the girl
went on as confidently, never turning
her head, as if she and not he were
to be the leader of the expedition He
laughed quietly at this. Then, gathering
rein. Bruce, requiring no other hint,
stepped out and overlook the horse in
front.
Have you any plan marked out with
reference to the roads we may take or
the towns We are to pass through or
avoid?" he asked.
Yes. We will reach York tonight.
then follow the London road as far as
Stamford. After that we branch south
west through Northampton to Oxford. "
1T Is all settled then" he said, smil-
ing.
Il know the way we'll, and you told
me you were stranger / have pass
ed between York and London four
times" she answered seriously, and
with chilling tone Of fnality which
seemed to indicate that further discus
sion was unnecessary. The infection
may have been too subtle to impress
itself upon the young man, for he con
dnued with obvious geniality:
You have wandered far afield 70,
one SO young"
To this remark the girl made no re
ply. Her eyes were fixed on the road
ahead, and Armstrong, being at q losf
TO continue one sided conversation
round nothing further to say. He was
vaguely conscious Of the constrain,
that had come between them, for shs
had talked with him freely enough