The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-18
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DO you, then, go to Oxford?" asked
the girl innocently, turning her disquiet
and disquieting eyes full upon him.
II had no such intention when
set out" stammered Armstrong, abash-
ed that for once his natural caution
had forsaken him. 1T matters little
how far south l go, and l am willing
to do an errand for friend. I tonk
him for royalist at first and saw no
danger in his purpose, but if he be a
parliamentarian, then Oxford is place
to avoid"
Did he not tell you he was a parlia-
mentarianT' questioned the girl, now
alarmed in her turn.
NO. You told me so.''
'I? You must be mistaken, sir. I
gave you no information about my
brother"
"You said his friend In the kings
forces had not thought the less Of him
because he took the other side
IT am distraught with anxiety about
him and gave but little heed to my
words. / would have you remember
only what my brother himself told
YOU"
Their conversation was interrupted
by the opening of the door and the re-
appearance of the doctor. The girl
could not conceal her trepidation. for
the nontechnical strangers assurances
had slight weight with her.
Thomas is doing very we'll; very
well indeed" said the old man. "You
have no cause for alarm, not the
slightest, If he can but be kept quiet
for some days and rest where he is for
few weeks. You attended to him,
sir, and 1 take it that you possess a
smattering of our art"
II have need of that knowledge, doc
tor" replied Armstrong, for those
me through rarely had the considera-
ton to make their attack within easy
call of a surgeon"
Then, turning to the girl. the doctor
said: Your brother wishes to speak
with you, and l have reluctantly given
my consent You will stay with him
as short time as may be, and I will
be here to see that you do not overstep
reasonable limit. One word more.
Do not argue with him or dispute any
thing he says, no matter how absurd
it may seem. Agree to any proposal
he makes even if you know it cannot
be carried out. He is evidently dis
turbed about his duty. Soothe him
soothe him and concur. There is little
use in telling a lad in his condition
that duty must wait till wounds are
healed, but he will recognize that fact
when he is we'll again. Meanwhile hui
count the minutes till you are out
again. I will find John and send him
for a competent nurse
Frances opened the door gently and
met her brothers hungry eyes. She
sat down beside him, taking his fe-
vered hand between her cool palms.
"Oh, I'm a doomed man, q doomed
mani! be groaned.
Nonsense. Tom! The doctor quite
agrees with the stranger that your
wound is not dangerous"
II was not thinking of the wound.
That does not matter"
What does, then, dearT'
"Sister, this morning at daylight
was to have been taken out and shot"
The girls hands frightened on his.
Cromwell himself reprieved me last
night. but on conditions, The sentence
still hangs over me, and now I'm help
less to avert it., and all through my
own folly. Oh, have been needless
fool! With every incentive not to take
risk have walked blindly"-
Eyes, dear, yes. But tell me how /
can aid you. The stranger says he will
do anything you want done in Oxford,
going there specially on your errand,
and he looks like man to be trusted"
Trust him. he cried impatiently
Frances. Frances, it is against him /
am going to Oxford! The man is a
spy carrying a message to the king.
He is interfering in a quarrel that
should be no concern of his, and his
life is already forfeit, as indeed is the
case with my own. But the price Of my
life is the thwartinG of him. The king