The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-09-17

to"utu AuHiTai hepndru Meet o.
grim war monsters swinging easily al
their anchors In the strong ebb-"but
she's gone now"
she got under way at daybreak
this morning" said bystander; lyon
der she is" He pointed down the
harbor at ship under full sail rapid.
ly working toward the channel
who has the fastest boat In the
marlboro" cried Strathgate with sue.
den resolution.
Il have. yer honor" answered
Cooper.
And although his claim was vocifer-
ously disputed by dozen men who
crowded around Strathgate, who rath-
er liked the appearance OF the man,
pitched upon him for his purpose.
"A hundred pounds to you." he cried
loudly. "if you put me on board the
Flying Star before she gets out of the
harbor."
I'D like to see the color Of yer
money. yer honor. begin yer par
don," said Cooper.
Strathgate pulled out a full purse
and passed him a ten-pound note.
This for earnest money" he said
| Now hasten!"
I'll want a hand to help me with
the sails" said Cooper, full of excite,
ment.
Five pounds to the man that goes
IL we win. I'm the earl of Strath
gate"
Yes. your lordship."
Take me. Cooper!"
"Tll go!" cried one and another.
Cooper quickly selected his man
choosing one Of the lightest and mos,
agile of the applicants.
Into the boat with you!" cried
Strathgate as soon as the matter was
settled.
Now that he had made up his mind,
he was eager to be OF. He did not
know where Ellen was. He had no
assurance that she was on that ship,
but at any rate 1t was a possible clew,
and anything was better than passing
the day in idleness at Portsmouth.
Perhaps Ellen had come in in some
way during the night. Stop! 1t sud
denly flashed into his mind that she
might have come by sea. There would
have been plenty of time, II she had
gotten a boat, anywhere near the
place where the carriage was wrecked.
This made him the more impatient
and anxious to get away.
Fired by the splendid reward for
success. Cooper and his man worked
double tides and soon had the sails
hoisted and the boat ready for de.
parture.
will yer honor come now?"
Immediately" cried Strathgate.
I'VE haven't moment to lose, your
lordship." returned Cooper. Those
Yankees are swift footers and it'll be
nip and tuck If we overhaul her."
Strathgate sprang into the boat and
Cooper showed off, The boom swung
cutter filed. She was in the lee Of
the wharf, however. and was moving
very slowly when a horseman came
! galloping down to the strand at full
speed. His sorry steed was COM
pletely blown. The rider dropped the
reins on the horses neck, sprang to
the ground and ran out on the wharf,
attracted thereto by the crowd of peo-
pie watching the departure of Strath-
gate. AS he ran. he shouted:
Can any Of you tell me anything
about the New Eagle?"
"Ay, master" answered one Of the
boatmen, "she sailed yesterday morn.
ing for Philadelphia"
Yesterday morning?"
"Ay, yer honor"
What ship is that?" continued Car
rington, peering straight down the har-
Dor. "She looks like an American
He was viewing her with the eye of
sailorly experience.
"'Tis an American" answered an
other, that be the Yankee clipper,
Flying Star"
When did she sail?"
This morning at daybreak."
Where is"
At that moment Carrington's eye
comprehended the little cutter Gid
ing along the wharf. He recognized
Strathgate standing up in the stern
sheets with his arms akimbo, an in
sulting smile upon his face. With
muttered oath Darlington in two
bounds reached the side of the wharf.
| The boat was increasing its speed at
every moment.
"Strathgate!" Numbered Darlington.
where is my" He stopped. Where
are the fugitives?"
Strathgate laughed ironically, while
Darlington with eager eyes searched
the recesses of the little craft, think
ing that Ellen and Deborah would be
aboard of her. His relief was mex
pressible when he found that Strath-
gate was alone. Yet that did not solve
the question that rose in his mind
Where is she. 1 say?" he thun-
dered.
Strathgate's answer was an ironical