The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-20

Who il your assailant?"
mo matter for that. Help me
home"
II shall first give the rogue taste
Of his own surgery" cried Armstrong
drawing his blade.
But the other restrained his ardor
leaning heavily upon him.
1T 10 her father. Do not leave me-
faint. If-I-if IL cannot direct you
take me down the lane, the highroad
My home-the house to the right"
The victim collapsed in heap on the
sward, reddening the grass with his
blood.
Armstrong was no stranger to the
rough art Of the leech. He undid the
doublet and flung it open; tore away
the waistcoat and shirt, disclosing an
ebbiEg cash.
well pierced" he muttered. "AE
inch to the right would have done the
Job. The poor CLAP parted, but not
enough; the onslaught was too fierce
and sudden. The old mans intention
was good. but the detection marred the
thrust"
He stanched the wound with the
torn shirt and tied sash tightly round
the body. Taking a leathern flask from
his pouch, he forced some fluid be-
tween the gray lips, and Wentworth,
with long sigh, opened his eyes.
Its nothing to boast Of" said Arm
strong carelessly. 81 have ridden
twenty miles worse mangled. Can you
sit your horse if put you ON him?"
20 God! o Godw moaned the youth,
near to weeping. Fool that was to
risk all for the chance Of a word!'
Tut. there's no risk. You'll be right
rs Edinburgh in three weeks"
Three weeks! Oh, my God! Would
he had killed me outright"
What is troubling you? Anything
in which l can help? l see you are no
coward, and it is not alone the wound
that hurts. Is it this Oxford journey 2"
The prone invalid made no reply, but,
groaning, turned his face to the turf.
"Harkenw cried Armstrong earnest
ly. Although our acquaintance is of
the shortest 1 would dearly love to
do you a service. l will go to Oxford
for you and do there whatever you
wish DONE"
The speaker Redeemed as he said this,
and his conscience reprOved him for
thus making use Of the others in
trinity, although he maintained stout
~ to himself that he was honest in
his proclamation.
The stricken youth was no less trou
bled in mind than in body, feeling him
self treacherous wretch, accidentally
we'll punished; but he, too, inwardly
braced his weakening purpose by the
thought that he acted for the good of
his country, an action tending toward
the speedy return Of peace.
Help me to my horse" he pleaded,
ignoring the proffer just made to him.
Il must get home and learn whether
this hurt is serious or not"
ut is far from serious, l tell you,
and it means only a months idleness.
Lean you on me. There; make no ex-
ertion. 1 will lift you to your sad
de-
The powerful Scot raised him as if
he were child and, with a woman's
tenderness, set him gently ON his horse.
He got into his own seat SO promptly
that his steadying hand was ON his
comrades shoulder before the swaying
body could do more than threaten q
fall.
This way, you say"
Wentworth nodded YEARLY, and the
two set out slowly for the highroad
Despite their awkward going, the edi
flee they sought was soon in sight,
situated in a park, to which a wind
ing lane led from the main thorough
fare The place seemed deserted, and
as they neared it Wentworth showed
faint anxiety that he might reach his
room unobserved
my sister must be told, of course,
and a doctor brought, but l wish to
avoid a rabble of gossiping servants
If can"
II will carry you wherever you di-
rect, and if we meet any one we must
enjoin silence. Can you indicate the
position Of private door through
which we may enter.''
THE most private door is the most
public door. The front entrance will
likely be deserted. l would walk but
that we must hurry or be seen. Take
me up the stair and to the second room
on your right. That is always ready
for me-"
The Scot took the youth again in his
arms and 81 uedily laid him on his own
bed. The jolting, despite the care
taken, had shifted the rude bandage,
and the wound bled afresh. Arm
strong, anxious for the safety of his
burden, had not noticed that his own
doublet was smeared with blood. With
the better appliances now at hand, he
did what was Immediately necessary
and revived the lads ebbing strength
with a second draft from the leathern
bottle. A sound Of singing came to
them as he finished his ministratiOns.
THAT Is Frances, my sister," breath
ed Wentworth, with closed eyes.