The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-04-11

and gszed stupidity about him ID great
bewilderment.
Ellen was gone, actually gone. How
could she for a moment have believed
that there was anything between him
and that painted old coquette, Cecily
Darlington? How he loathed that
woman! What had Ellen said; that
one or the other Of them must leave
the house7 Why did she not wait
until morning? Why. had she not
given him an opportunity to show
that, after all, It was she he loved,
and none other? He had treated her
%abominably, his sweet, pure, lovely
wife. What II she had lacked some
OF the petty accomplishments of her
day? She was a woman nobly planned,
and one OF whom any man should have
been proud beyond measure. He had
been a fool. He would find her, tell
her the truth, bring her back and drive
out the whole wretched crew. They
would be happy at Darlington again,
as they had been happy before.
But It was no time for useless re-
grets now. The need for action was
imperative. He started to his feet
and ran toward the door that opened
into his own room. He drew the bolts,
swearing that If he v e got his wife
back she should need no bolt to pro-
tect her but his love.
And then he heard his name called.
"E NJ lord, my lordi"
1t was the aged butler coming up
the stairs, white-faced and painting.
What Is 1t, ~Jepson?" cried Car
rington, confronting the man. Speak
out. What has %happened?"
Zone of the footmen, Thomas, my
lord, has just come in from the stables
He says that he found the three stable
boys who were there last night bound
and gagged"
What" cried Lord Darlington.
That's not all, sir" continued the
faithful Jepson, the coachman-"
Has he gomez" queried the earl.
mo, my lord. He was bound ani
gagged, too, in the coach house"
WHO did it,"
He says the earl Of Strathgate."
Good God" cried Darlington, turn
ing pale. "The earl of Strathgate!'
yes, my lord. And the bay team
and light travelling carriage are gon,
from the stable"
~"Impossiblel" protested Darlington
fighting against the awful suspicion
that entered his heart.
It's quite true, my lord"
"~Jepson," said Darlington, firmly
send the eoachman to me. Have on,
Of the footmen ask Admiral Kepharl
to come to the library at once. Noun
some one on a horse and brinI
the lodgekeeper here, also. And
stay" he added as the butler turne,
away-"ask one Of the women to sum
mon Mistress Slocum as well. Now
say nothing about this to anyone elss
but hurry as II your life depende,
upon It."
Darlington dashed back madly Int
his wife's room. He had known tina
she had hanging in her closet tn
sailors suit which she had worn o.
her cruises with him. A dark susp
cion had come to him, He tore ope
the door Of the closet and tore fror
: the hooks one after another the 20
!, geous dresses which hung there. H
did not find what he sought. Sh
had evidently worn 1t away. H
turned from the room, ran through tn
hall and down the flight Of stairs I
the library. The coachman awaite
him.
: Who was with Strathgate when h
bound you last night?'
! "a young man, I take it. my lud,
: answered the coachman. THE rool
: was dark, with only the freligh
and l couldn't see very well. Lor
S~trathgate threatened me with a pi
: tol, or I'd have made cutlery an
resistance. He kept me covered wit
! my head turned away. The young ma
. handed him straps to lash me-
! "You cowardIn cried Carringto.