Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1906-01-04
CHAPTER NNlv.

Il-Al 4 AAlN,
"N!!E road between oxford and
Hanbury is the most peaceful
OF thoroLghfareS laid with rea-
sonablc dircctness. gently UNI
IulatinS in parts. passing through quiet
villages and II sweet country. mildly
beautiful. YET 10 the mind of Frances
Wentworth this innocent highway ever
remained. rs ii We're. Il section of the
broad path 10 pcrdition. In after life
She never thought of it hut with a
creepy sensation of horror
Dependency seemed To be the por-
ton OF William Armstrong as We'll as
of his fair companion She surmiscd
that he WAS bordering on the events
which had happened when their faces
We're set south over this course, and
in part she was right hut the thoughts
which railislcl in his mind We're those
implanted hy De Corey and the willy
Frenclman had hc,n accurate enough
in his belief that the young mans
pleasure in the northwanl journey
would he >puilvd He could not bring
himself Ia ask any explanation from
the girl. ner even toll her what De
Courcy had said. for he SAW that al
ready 4 weight of Woe oppressed her.
and To that burden he would not add
q pressure of the slightest word
He possessed Il supreme confidence
III her and only feared that she had
loved this ru.iag:ite once and that some
remnant OF this long ago affection still
remained. Her own words before they
reached ONfnld. her own action dur
ing the encounter fronting the Crown
inn disturbed him far more than the
destinations of the FrcnchmaM. He
stroyr to rid himself nj these thoughts,
but they We're very intrusive and per
siStcnt Al last with an effort he
reused himself and cried With fcigncd
hiiari,y::
Frances. we travel like Two muteS.
The influence oi >addc.cd oxford is
| still upon us both We are long out
of Sight of tile town, 50 lei us he done
/ with Ill remembrance of il. The meet
/ ing with the king this morning has
4 stirred me up 10 \ great pity for him.
but vcNcl mc,liiations on his case are
no help either 10 him or TO us. The
spur is the only weapon can weld
for him NOW. so let us gallop and cry.
God save the king
With that they raced together for Il
time and We're the better of il. He
had itecomc almost cheerful again
wien the spires of Banbury came into
view, and thanked fortune that the
first stage OF their march was safely
over.
They found old John an,. his pack
\ horse both ready for the road again,
and Armstrong WAS plainly loath to
let such Il tine evening slip by without
further progress but Frances seemed
so wan and worn that he had not the
heart to propose IA more distant stop
ping place, and. with a sigh. he put w
his horse for the night.
While lie WAS gone the innkeepel
came furtvcly to Frances. and. after
seeing the pass led her to the prepared
room and showed her the door.
Much against her will. Armstrong in
sisted upon her coming to supper Will
him, although she protested she had III
appetite. and indeed sat opposite hin
forlorl and could not touch Il morsel
In vain he urged her to eat. but shs
shook her head, avoiding his glance
\. and Keeping her eyes downcast.
MN girl he said anNiously, "yol
! are completely tired. see that yo'
: are on the point of being i'll if bette
care is not taken. Rest here il few
DAYS. beg OF YOU Eager as l an
J to be forward. will stay if you wisl
to have Inc near YOU. or will pusl
on and come back for YOU
II shall lie we'll enough in the morn
. ing. most like am tired tonight
And dispiriicd too
: YES. and dispilited. You will eN
cuSe me. know.
! Frances rose to her feet. but sceme'
e SO fain, that she leaned against til
e table for support He WAS by her sid
:. Mt once.
I My sweet lass, ! am so sorry TO
7 you. Tell me what can do for yo
4 and on my soul my life is yours if 20
I require it
NO. no. Heaven grant you take y
c hurt for my sake
g He slipped his arm about her walls
4 and would have drawn hef towar
= him. but With more strength th;'n
had expected he. To possess she lel
away. His great love for her almos
ovcrcame him and all the prudence d
s had gathered was scattered suddenl
10 the winds. Dear. dear lass. on
o touch of our lips and see if al doub'
is do moi dissolve before the contact
* Now She wrcncled herself free an
e would have escaped Int that he spiah
o forward and caught her .by wfis'
il rip size was 10 remcnibnr later
the night. In spite of this prlsohlh'
J. her hands were raised To the SIDES
N her face and !: look OF such terror sii'
from her eyes that he feared SOB
y. madness had como upon he's
Not that, Not that. she sirlcke'
lie 1.-THE kiss Of judas. II would XII me
III His arms dropped paialyzcd 70 u
sides and he stepped back i PFC
M amazed at the expression she had use
..a eh., t,rror of her utterauce. Ne.