The Washington times., 1913-05-31
CHAPTER XXX.
The Rising Tide.

T the hour when Thomsine. des-
perate, put up her prayer for
help, Karl Ludwig Won Kersten-
brock. set-faced and mud-be-
spattered to the shoulders, was spurrtns
along the road to York.
He had left Friars' Sulgrave with two
men at his back, of whom one now
nursed a wrenched knee at Bigglesbury
where he and mis- mount had fallen. and
the other, at Middleford. tended his
foundered horse
With never a thought to spare tc
them, Won Kerstenbroock rode break
neck on his predetermined course. He
was seeking General Cromwell. and fol-
Thomsine's sake.
With such a man to move and for
such a woman. he had neither time nor
strength TO waste on minor matters.
AT the red-smeared hour OF sunset
Won Kerstenbroock halted his blown
horse in the court of the Bun Bioie al
York-an inn which had borne the royai
In 10 minutes he had learned that
General Cromwell. here today and gone
tomorrow, lay to advantage on TINS
night in lodgings in High Petersgate.
In another 10 minutes he had MADE
himself presentable; and in q scant half
hour from the time that he had ridden
through Micklegate he was curtly giving
= house porter In High Petersgate< to
know that Colonel Castingbroke was
fain to speak with General Cromwell.
The general, Ii seemed, who had a
prettv taste in music, sat at that hour
In the withdrawing room. while an IN
9euious gentleman Gate master OF the
csfhedrai choir played to him on the
organ.
AZ the chords OF the ancient fug1e
exuIted through the twilight. the shad-
owy time-scented house seemed TO lock
arms and muse on old Joys and half
forgotten sorrows.
barytone, doffed his hat with a sigh
that relaxed his taunted spirit, ana
leaned his head against the easement
o. the little antechamber where he vas
set to wait.
that aspired like prayer made visible,
he saw the early stars akindle.
He thought of Thomsine-of the hours
thar had been, of the hours that might
he. Of a child with her dear eyes Graded
against the heart that he had felt
a-tremble with fear FOR him.
"Du meine Seele!"
"Dear God, Give her to me-she that
4. ninev' prayed Won Kerstenbroock
with ali his soul and body.
Then the fugue that pulled exultingly.
with promise Of fulfllment that had
eased his spirit, broke suddenly INTO
silence that wfdened through the hs-
tening house.
Upon the silence came the sound Of
opened doors of creaking footsteps, and
then a voice on the tnresnoio mat
bade Bring candles"'
A serying-man had come and gone.
Lights fickered on the table. and In
their glow Won Kerstenbroock looked
upon the rugged face of the man who
well. Colonel Castingbroke, spoke
the General, and pretty 1t was TO see
how the rapt look, that must have been
set on his stark countenance by the
music, melted away before the press
Of grim affairs, "and do you bring me
news?'
May: tits on my own concerns mat
am come, SIR" said Won Kersten.
brook, and stopped, amazed. could IL
be possible that he was trempnne
'.Sit Won down" invited Cromwell
But Won .Kerstenbroock stood 'front.'
ing him. with a hand upon the tapie'
where the candles fickered.
Sir" said he. Il have ridden s:noe
yesterdaynight from Friars' sulzra7e
to beseech you-to entreat you. SIR.
must take Kings Staversham ere Lam
mas-eve. and P,errepoint will not sur
therein without order Of yours
''I must take Kings Staversnam.
with your assent and countenance. !
hope. II not = why. then. without
them!"
'-sit DOWN. ordered Cromwell. and
he was not the man to order twice.
Won Kerstenbroock sat down. In the
candIe-light his thin face seemed no
more than a strained. boyish mouth
and deep-set eyes that burned.
You know my mind touching the