The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-23

ton Vi .--e---, ,--S 49, .O.O.es. IA1Iseep-
er. watching his opportunity. drew the
girl aside and asked her il she pos
sessed pass; il so he would like to
see il. He was very apologize. saying
all public house keepers SO near to Ok
ford We're compelled by the military
charge of the town TO assure them
selves that travellers who stopped with
them We're properly veuched 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 if he ex-
pected some comment. At last he said
Perhaps you intend To stop here on
your return"
ayes. Have you received instructions
Already"
Il have, and everything is prepared.
Would You come up now and look at
the room? Then, If for any reason 1
am not here when you come back you
will see that no mistake is made"
= took her to an upper room and
explained to her the action of the con-
cealed door, which moved without a
sound on well oiled hinges.
During the night you occupy this
room. l shall have n horse ready and
will be in waiting for you myself until
morning. / 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 l hope you
will have a safe sojourn there and a
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 shiver with repulsion. Yet, she
said to herself, conscience accusing,
this man was merely an assistant in a
deed where she herself acted the lead
ing part. He was mercenary, doubt
less, doing what he was bid, but against
a stranger and an enemy, while she
plotted against a friend and 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
carried no credentials. and Charles, If
he employed him, must accept the Dor.
derer's 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
trayal, from which, as events stood.
she saw no way of escape
CLAD was she to leave Banpury De-
hind her, but tremblingly did she dread
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 1t 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