The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-25
O.Uer the
Border sx
BA RR,
C..,-x., ,oo1 g. Author Of "Jennie Baxter
Frederick ii. sfot.s Co. .yournoIisf." Etc.
Author 81 Jennie Bo><fer.
.yournoIisf." Etc.


ready for the fray. All these ques-
lions Armstrong answered as hopefully
as he could, in deep commiseration for
a defeated man. The king commanded
one of his secretaries to write out the
required commission, and while this
was being done Armstrong related to
him the purport Of the papers which he
had not dared to bring with him.
The names of the mobiles We're insert
ed in the document from the dictation
Of the Scot, then the kings seal was
affixed and Charles signed the parch-
ment. He seemed in feverish haste to
get the business done with, as if every
moment lost was irreparable. When
the ink was dried and the parchment
folded Armstrong placed it in safe
keeping within his vest. While thus
engaged the king said word to the
secretary, who handed him a light
rapier, then whispered to the mes
senger the single word "kneel.' The
Scot flushed to think he had been
wanting in the etiquette of the court,
his kind heart yearning to proffer any
Difference which should be rendered
to a monarch, more especially that he
was no longer in a position to enforce
homage. He dropped on one knee and
bowed his head. Charles, rising, touch
ed the rapier blade lightly upon the
shoulder of the kneeling man. saying:
Rise, Sir William Armstrong, and
be assured that if you bring this poor
signature of mine to Scotland, there is
no title in my gift you may not de-
mand of me-"
Armstrong rose, awkward as school
boy, not knowing where to look or
what to say until he caught the cynical
smile of De Courcy standing at the
right hand of the king.
Il congratulate you, Sir William"
said the Frenchman. The sight of the
smile aroused the new hatred against
the man which was smoldering in his
heart, and he made no reply to the
greeting, but said to the king:
Sire, the only thanks / can tender
you Is haste to the north, and may God
make my arm as strong to defend this
signature as my heart is true to your
majesty"
With that he turned his back upon
royalty, grievous breach in the eyes
of courtiers, and fed.
GOD grant it, said the king, with a
Ugh, as he sank once more in the seat
rom whence he had risen.
Tnere is no d0uOt~ o. ~ saU De
Courcy softly.
Doubt Of WHAT" asked the king.
THE oath he took will sit lightly on
his conscience. He prayed that his
arms strength might equal his hearts
fealty. l distrust those who talk glibly
of their hearts, and his was a most
ambiguous prayer"
Surely if ever honesty beamed from
mans face it was from Armstrong;
The Scots are trustworthy men,"
Some of them, your majesty"
Uneasy suspicion came into the sunk
en- eyes of the king as he turned them
on his chamberlain.
What do you fear, De Courcy?"
Il have been studying the man these
three days past. l accepted without
question his assurances, and threw him
est looking envoy, and from what Arm
strong said / am sure he saw Crom-
we'll no farther away than Northamp-
ton.> He was very ready with his ae-
count of his own country people, but
he told us nothing about the marvellous
luck that brought him safely through
hostile land, which we know to our
cost is admirably patrolled."
If you knew this man to be a
traitor or an emissary of that rebel,
why did you bring him into our pres
ence"
Il could not be sure of him, your
majesty, and there was always
chance that he was loyal and might
get through"
ITO raise my hopes like this and then
dash them to the ground!'
Not so, your majesty, if you will
pardon me. Do you place Importance
on this commission?
The utmost Importance. l know
Traquair, and he will raise all Scotland
for me if this commission reach him."
Then we will max siccar, as ia
SCol OlCS Sdiu.
"Ah, De Courcy, that was said when
treacherous murder was intended
How will you make sure that Arm
strong is honest?"
Il should trouble no more about Arm
strong, but if you will issue duplicate
of that commission l will guarantee
that it reaches the hand of Traquair
am Frenchman and a subject of
the French king, l carry my passport
to that effect. Even if | am stopped
shall resist search on the ground of
my nationality, and Cromwell is too
greatly in awe of the power of France
to risk its might being thrown in the
scale against him. Indeed l doubt if
l could offer a greater service to your
majesty than to be captured and ap-
peal to Louis"
The kings face cleared.
You would not stop Armstrong
then?"
'Assuredly not. If his copy gets into
Cromwells hands he may slacken his
alertneSS and not be on the outlook
for duplicate. AS l said before, there
is chance the Scot plays fair, but two
in the hands of Traquair
will do no harm, and we max siccar"
You are in the right, and your ad-
vice is always of the best. How soon
will you be ready to leaye?"