The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-06-17

leading her unsuspicious comrade to
the Banbury Arms, and there they left
old John with his crippled horse. The
landlord was quiet, furtive looking
man, with manner that suggested an
intermittent glancing over the shout
der. Frances resolved to say nothing
to him at this time, believing they had
come so quickly from Northampton
that she was in advance Of any in
structions he was to receive, but in this
she was mistaken. With Cromwell to
decide was to act, and some one had
evidently come through in the night.
While they halted, waiting the prepare
ton Of a meal, the soft footed innkeep-
er, watching his opportunity, drew the
girl aside and asked her if she pos
sessed a pass; IL SO he would like to
see it. He was very apologize, saying
all public house keepers so near to Ok
ford were compelled by the military
charge of the town to assure them
selves that travellers who stopped with
them were properly vouched for. other
wise it would be his duty to detain
them and report to the local command
ant. She presented the pass to him
without word, and he read it in 81
lence, then looked at her as II he ex-
pected some comment. At last he said:
perhaps you intend to stop here on
your return?'
Eyes. Have you received instructions
already"
II have, and everything is prepared.
Would you come up now and look at
the room? Then, if for any reason I
am not here when you come back you
will see that no mistake is made"
He took her to an upper room and
explained to her the action Of the con-
cealed door, which moved without
sound on well oiled hinges.
During the night you occupy this
room. l shall have a horse ready and
will be in waiting for you myself until
morning. l am to show you the way
to the castle. You will find the road to
Oxford without impeachment until you
reach the lines of the king. hope you
will have a safe sojOurn there and
speedy return"
The girl thanked him for his good
wishes with what courtesy she could
call to her aid, for at heart she loathed
him, his smooth, oily, ingratiating man
ner and his shifty glance making
her SILVER with repulsion. Yet, she
said to herself, conscience accusing,
this man was merely an assistant in
deed where she herself acted the lead
ing part. He was mercenary. doubt
less, doing what he was bid, but against
stranger and an enemy, while she
plotted against friend and a man
who trusted her.
Fervently she prayed that Providence
might intervene between the resOlu-
ton and it's accomplishment, in some
way rendering her project unnecessary.
There was slight hope that the sus-
picious king might not receive Arm
strong as the envoy of the Scots. He
he employed him, must accept the Dor
derers unsupported word that he was
what he declared himself to be. She
feared that Charles was in such straits
that he would clutch at any straw, but
hoped his natural distrust would come
into play, so that Armstrong might re-
turn empty handed to Scotland, while
she would be relieved of this fell be-
trayal, from which, as events stood
Ehe saw no way of escape.
Glad was she to leave Banbury be
hind her, but tremblingly did she dreaG
the time when she should see it again
The road, as the innkeeper had predict.
ed, was clear, and now for the first time
during that journey she was alone with
her fellow traveller, old John pottering
over his lame horse in the stables of
the Banbury inn.
The spirits of the young man were
as high as those of the girl were low.
He saw that for some reason unknown
to him she was depressed, and he tried
to banter her into a more cheerful
frame of mind; but, this effort bringing
with it Indifferent success, he broke
out into song and caroled to her some
of the border ballads.
Several times the obedient Bruce,
guided by an unseen touch, edged
close to her, but Armstrong could not
fail to perceive that the girl shrank
from his proximity, and this abashed
him, silencing his song and jocularity.
But q lover must be bold if he would
prosper. Here was a heaven sent op.
portunity, and what more can a man
ask than that? In an hour or two they
would be in the midst of a thronged
city, where she would meet the friends
she expected to see. Who could pre-
dict what might happen? 1t was pos.
sible she would elect to remain in OK
ford. One or more Of her friends might
accompany her back to Durham. Now
or never was the motto. Yet he had
not the least notion how he ought to
begin, but thought that in such crisis
a great deal must depend on the pre-
sentation of the case Why had he let
slip so many chances of getting infor.
nation on subject that now loomed