Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-07-31


the ship, hats In hand, with much bow
Ing and salnting met him at the gang
way. As the royal foot touched the
white deck the royal flag was broken
out at the masthead, the boatswain
piped, the band struck up God Save
the King and the great guns Of the
main deck Numbered out the royal
salute.
The admiral turned, faced forward.
waved his cooked hat and the whole
ship rang with enthusiastic cheering.
The king nodded like the plain little
famer he was, without any particular
ceremony, shook hands with the id.
miral, waved his arm graciously to the
officers and, attended BY the admiral,
stepped aft and disappeared later in
the great cabin under the poop deck.
Nov" said the king, a. he sat
down in the cabin, has everything
been prepared!"~ al
Everything Il ready, your majesty.
/ The ship is provisionsd for her cruise,
the oficers and men aboard. -Ail
ready, SIR" e.
81 performed my part Of the under
taking this morning"
$ The king ehuckled. Kephard grinned
profoundly, but said nothing. So
you can fetch the prisoner here
now"
The admiral turned and called the
orderly, gave him q message, and in a
few moments my lord Darlington, IN.
armed, presented himself In the cabin
By the kings direction Kephard
stood in front Of his majesty, and Car.
rington did not at first see who was
there. He knew certainly from the
commotion that the king had cond.
aboard the ship. but that was all. =
Lieutenant Lord Darlington" be.
gan Admiral Kephard severely, the
hour Of your court-martial has arrived
but before you appear in its presence
his gracious majesty has kindly
thought At to see you in person. He
IL here to receive you, to hear what
you have to say for yourself" z,
Admiral Ksphard suddenly stepped
aside and disclosed little George sit
ting back in the huge admiral's chair
Little George had q very heavy frown
upon his face and did his best to as
sumo a godlike and .menacing mein
Darlington knelt at once. The king
looked hard at him.
Rise, sir" he said in a voice which
he strove to make harsh and forbid
ding Pretty doings l hear about
you"
Lord Darlington bowed profoundly
but said nothing.
Have you nothing to say for your
self, sir?" continued the king.
your majesty, nothing"
"Hey! Whati" cried King George.
Nothing, sir"
"You make love to another woman
Cecily Darlington; you are ashamed
Of your wife; you allow her to rur
away with Strathgate-"
Your majesty" cried Darlington
stung to action, give me leave, sir.
He bowed. To interrupt the king wal
4 heinous otfense. Have l permission
to proceed, sir?"
Proceed" returned his majesty.
"You have been misinformed In one
particular Nothing you can say Of me
or to me Is unmerited, that will I'D
NIT; but Lady Darlington did not rur
away with Lord Strathgats." "a
i Il understood he drove away with
her In your carriage at night, at two
o'clock In the morning" ~
Lord Darlington WINGED under thu
apparent insinuation.
That is true" he replied; but n,
lady was entirely innocent. She hal
with her a young woman a compaa
Ion. She knows not the world, YOU
majesty"
And you were ashamed of her fol
that"
Il was. your majesty. Now, / glory
in the fact"
Go on, sir"
And she simply used Strathgate a,
sne would a coachman. When h
would fain have abducted her sh,
tried to shoot him. She did escape
from him and, thank God! l was abb.
to place him out of the running befor.
he could pursue Ser or annoy hel
again"
You fought duel with Lori
Strathkate?"
Yes, your majesy."
You know my opinion of duelling'
You know the law"
Yes, your majesty. There wa
nothing else could do"
You're not sorry for it," asked tn,
king sternly.
Darlington had to tell the truth
Although he felt morally certain tina
ne would bring down upon his hea,
the wrath Of the king, which would b,
the last straw added to his alread,
heavy burdens. he scorned to lie.
No, l am not sorry, sir. I shout,
do it again"
You're an honest man. Lord Car
rington," said the king, If very fool
ish one"
1t was Lord Strathgate himself VIII
told me that I was, saving your ms