The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-26


Rub down my horse well while I
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
not slept well. l can see that at once
This will not do, never do at all. But
you are certainly looking better this
that not so:'
You are looking very WELL" she said
avoiding his question.
"Oh, I've had morning gallop al
ready"
What. With the ride TO Scotland
still before you. Is not u merciful man
merciful to his horse:"
He should be. but 1 may say this
for Bruce-he enjoyed the ride quite
as much as did. And now l am raw
enous for breakfast and eager for the
road again" He tinkled a little hand
bell that rested on the table.
The servant answered the tinkling
bell, and Frances busted herself acting
the housewife. She was convinced
that he had as yet no knowledge of his
loss and wondered when and where
such knowledge would come to him.
She hoped the enlightenment would be
delayed until they were near the Scot
fish line or across il. Then she must
tell him the truth at whatever cost &c
herself and persuade him. If she could.
not to return. When she made her
confession she would be in a position
TO relate all Cromwell had said to her.
show him that the general had given
orders which would block any back
ward move and reveal his determina-
ton to hang the Scot should he entan-
gle himself further with English poll
tics Yet she had the gravest doubts
that these dangers would influence him.
These reflections troubled her until
the time they were on their horses once
more, when Armstrong interrupted
them by crying out:
"Wheres old John?"
81 sent him on ahead long since" re-
piled Frances.
Good. We shall soon overtake him.
Goodbyw he cried to the hostler, the
one who had set him on the way in the
attack on De Courcy.
Good luck to you and your fair lady,
sir" replied the old man, raising his
cap in salute.
why are you so friendly with the
man" asked Frances.
''Oh, the hostler knows much about
me-" said Armstrong. HE sees secret
comings and goings and draws his sage
conclusions. Banbury! o Lord, l shall
never forget Banbury! 1t is place of
mystery, the keeper of dark secrets
and sudden rides. Of midnight theft
and Of treachery. Ask the Broughton
road, where Cromwell lies, to reveal
what it knows. Things happen along
that track which the king knows moth
ing of, and his royal signature takes
" journeys that he never counted upon"
Heavens pity! What do you
meanT' moaned the girl, whitening to
the lips. He laughed joyously, but
checked himself when he saw the ter
rifying effect Of his words on his COM
panion They were now clear of Ban
bury and trotting along the Coventry
road. Their departure had met with
no opposition, and they had seen not
even a single soldier. The open coun-
try lay before them, the turrets of the
town sinking in the rear.
"My foolish words have frightened
you Forget them! 1 am accumulat-
ing experiences that will interest you
to hear when the time comes for the
telling Of them, but Of one thing l
am assured. the good Lord stands by
his own, and he has shielded me since
yesterday morning broke. Come, Fran
ces, let us gallop. That and trust
in the Lord will remedy all the ills OF
man or woman"
/ She was glad of the respite, and they
set of at full speed. Nevertheless her
mind was sorely troubled. What did
he know, what did he know" beat
through her brain in unison with the
clatter of the horses hoofs. 1t was not
possible that chance had brought him
thus to the very center Of her guilty
secret Cromwell, treachery, midnight
stealth, the Broughton road-these
words and phrases tortured her. Was
this, then the line Of his revenge? Did
he know ALL and did he purpose to
keep her thus in suspense, limiting,
soothing her fears, then reviving them,
making her black crime the subject Of
jest and laughter? She cast a glance
over her shoulder. Banbury had dis
appeared; they were alone, flying over
the land. The doubt was unbearable;
she would endure it no longer. I'm
petuously she refined her horse to a
stand. STOP. she cried, and at the
word her own horse and Bruce halted
and stood. The young man turned with
alarm to her agitated face.
What do you mean by your talk OF
Broughton and Cromwell?"
-"Oh, that is a secret! / did not in
tend to tell you until our journey was
ended, when we could laugh over it to-
gether."
ut is no laughing matter I must
know what you mean"
"All dangers are laughable once they
are past. An unknown, unsupported
danger threatened me at Banbury 1t
is now past and done with, and the
person who plotted against me can
harm me no more There are reasons
why / do not wish to mention this per-
sons name. Barring that, I may tell
you now as we'll as another time, il you