The Ordway new era., 1908-08-28

"and do you take Sailor. He's cast
shoe. Lead him on the road TO tue
nearest shop and come after me as
fast as is safe, but don't Kill the
horse I'm bound for Portsmouth.
You'll find me at the Blue Boar Inn
Here's money for the journey II any
thing happens, you can leave your
horse and come forward by post
horses. you understand
Darlington gathered up the reins,
sprang upon the mares back ana
without looking over his shoulder, gal
loned on ahead. The delay had given
him time to come to his senses,
he swept over the ground rapidly, and
after two hours of terrific going he
pullcd up at wayside inn lie
sprang from HIS horse the instant he
stepped before the entrance. hord
Carrington was well known in the VI
c,Iity. and in moment dozen obse'
ouious hostlers and horse boys scram-
bled about him while mine host came
blowing before the door.
"A horse, the best you have In the
stables
My lord. began the host. I'm very
sorry
no words. Interrupted Darlington,
bring me a horse and a araught OF
wine"
My best horse has been taken. your
lordship. some three hours ago. and |
have naucht but Indifferent ones left"
Bring me the best You have.
don't care what it is said Caring
ton. Don't you see my mare can go
no farther and l must have some sort
OF horse. How far is it to the next
posting staiun'"
A matter OF ten miles
Well. give me something that can
make the distance In an hour. and II
founder him or kin him, I'll pay you
well for him.
Here. Dick" said the landlord. you
hear my lord Bring old Joe. 'Tis
the best we have There's bay horse
in the stable. II he were only fresh.
He came in two hours ago, and Lord
Strathgate-"
Who came did you say cried Car
rincton. turning quickly
The earl OF Strathgate. your
honor"
Was he here
Two hours agone, sir He took
bite Of breakfast and draught OF
wine and our best horse and rode on"
Was he alone
Alone. your lordship, There's sum.
mat strange about it, too. for his head
was all bloody. his coat was streaked
with mud. he was riding bay horse.
looked Ike a carriage horse. bareback
with bits OF harness dangling to 1t
He had no hat on"
Where is that bay horse" cried
Darlington. tingling with excitement.
"Yonder. in the stable yard being
rubbed down"
My horse Betty. BY heaven" he
exclaimed. What is the meaning OF
this He turned and faced the
astonished landlord once more. Did
you say that Strathgate was alone?"
Absolutely alone
Did he ask any questions?"
He asked me II there was woman
and young man had got horses and
ridden on ahead. II anybody had seen
anything OF any kind OF coach. or
wagon. or carriage, or people on horse
back"
And what answer made you?"
'Cept the coach for Portsmouth,
which went up empty. and some farm
wagons driven by men. We knew that
nobody had passed this morning"
And you say Strathgate was in a
hurry"
Il never seed a man more in
hurry, your lordship. unless 1t was
Yourself" added mine host.
You're right" cried Darlington.
He was utterly bewildered by the
situation. His calculations were all at
sea What could be the meaning OF
Strathgate alone upon the road, with
a broken head and muddy coat, rid.
ing on coach horse and driving the
beast even as he had forced Sailor
and the mare? Where were Ellen
and Deborah?
II must be that he was pursuing
some one. but If SO. who? Who, but
Ellen and Deborah. and how could
they keep ahead of such furious chas.
ing? They had not gone off together.
then. In some way they had given
Strathgate the slip. Lord Caring.
ton jumped at this conclusion and his
heart bounded.
My lord rode with as heavy a hand
as before. but with considerably
lighter heart. OF one thing he was
certain. that Ellen was not with
Strathgate.
(TO BE CONTINUED