Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-08-12
CHAPTER vi.
Lady Ellen Takes Flight.

"Now, will you tell me your plans?'
began Strathgate as the three descend
ed to the mall.
Eve must have horses and We
hicle of some kind" she said.
would not post chaise do?"
There are three of us, my lord
| answered Ellen.
Il see,' returned the earl, who was
very much annoyed and put out by
| the infliction of this third party in
what he had fondly hoped would be a
tete-a-tete flight.
There was no help for it, however
| He trusted to fortune to assist him
to dispose of Mistress Deborah later.
| Where shall we get this carriage?"
! In the stables, of course
She was thoroughly familiar with
the lay of the land and the location
of the stables. The coachman, who
was unmarried, slept in a house by
himself. Entrance was easy since
the door was not locked.
LET me do the talking" said
Strathgate. He won't recognize you
If you stay back here in the dark
ness"
Very WE'LL assented Ellen as the
earl stepped over to the bed and
roughly shook the coachman, who
opened his eyes to find himself star
| ing into the muzzle of pistol.
''Lie still. l want to borrow pair
and a carriage from your master. I'm
driving far tonight and want a good
pair. No, you are not to bother about
| hitching them up. I simply wished to
| tell you the facts so you won't make
any trouble
| He opened his mouth to cry out.
| Strathgate showed his pistol barrel
| closer to him. truculently remarking:
IF you make a sound, I'll blow out
| your brains. Now, do you under.
| stand? l don't intend to steal the
horses. You'll find them we'll at some
| wayside inn 20 miles from here. Mean.
! while, we will have to tie you up and
gag YOU
Very we'll, my lud," returned Hig.
!
weapon was powerful persuader.
(Which are the best pair for travel
ing, l wonder?" queried the earl as
he, Ellen and Deborah surveyed the
| long row Of stalls.
Il have heard my lord say that the
bays were the most reliable horses
| he had
''The bays it'll be, then" said Strath.
gate
| He quickly selected the harness, led
! out the bays and in a few moments
the two were attached to a light tray.
cling carriage.
| Where now?" said Strathgate when
all the preparations had been com
pleted.
| eve are going to Portsmouth, as
think I told you, my lord
Strathgate was an expert whip and
he found no difficulty in keeping the
spirited horses going quietly over the
grassy turf which bordered the drive
way and as he had predicted, they got
past the house without making 8
sound. But one obstacle remained be
tween them and freedom-the lodge
keeper and the lodge gate. Ellen ha6
forgotten it until they had gone some
thing like a quarter Of a mile through
the park, when she suddenly thrust
her head out of the window OF tho
carriage and called it to Strathgate's
attention.
Let me attend to that" returned
the earl, confidently. Il have a plan
Do you keep close and let the curtains
be drawn"
He drove close to the wall of the
lodgekeeper's cottage, hammered or
the window with the butt of his whip
and when that functionary appeared
Strathgate boldly avowed his name
and title and said that he was riding
forth on a wager with my lord; that
he would be back in the morning
! The road from the lodge gate ran
for about half mile through the park
until it joined the main road. Ports
mouth lay to the eastward, to the
westward was Plymouth. Having
passed the lodge successfully, Ellen
raised the blinds of the carriage and
looked out upon the familiar scenes
flying swiftly by them, for Strathgate
had put the bays into fast trot and
the light carriage was going forward
at rapid gait. In short time they
came to the main road. Now Ellen
knew the way perfectly. She was
greatly astonished, therefore, to see
Strathgate turning to the right. She
lowered the window and thrust her
head out once more.
my lord!" she called.
Strathgate scarcely checking the
pace of the horses leaned back to
| listen.
I'VE wish. to go to Portsmouth"
$50 you said," returned my lord.
well, Portsmouth lies to the left
| and you are taking us to the right"
you will be safer at my castle in
Somerset than at Portsmouth, l think.
ny lady"
But don't wish to go to your cas-.
| tle.' cried Lady Ellen angrily.
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