Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-03-13

tioning Of the old man, that | have
some reason to believe. in short"
I'm short, my boy, you've been chasE
Ing her all night, have YOU"
You're right, sir"
And what nowge
Il told you. admiral, that ! knew
where they were''
Well. where are they? Out with
it. lad. Disclose your information and
come to the point. All these side is
sues are unworthy of soldier
laughed the old seaman. well knowing
that for most OF them he was respon-
sble
They're on merchant ship bound
UP the channel and going fast when
saw them last"
''What?" cried the admiral Give
me the particulars
Sir Charles rapidly ran over the
scene OF the morning.
The old adrfiiral threw back his head
and laughed.
And SHE outwitted you all. shook
Strathgate off the track led you
ashore, watched Darlington and
Strathgate fight ii out under her very
eyes and got clean away?"
"She hasn't got away yet, admiral"
What mean you?"
= came here to make a proposition
to YOU
"a proposition to me?r
Yes
You have. a fast ship at your COM
mand, take IT,"
10 you mean the britannica said
the admiral, mentioning his flagship.
= do"
"Cf course she's fast The admiral
ty know me. wouldn't take a slow
ship
rs she as fast as that merchant
man. do you think?"
why my boy, there isn't mer-
chant ship on the seas that she could
nj overhaul in anything like wind"
admiral" said Sir Charles In
genuously, II lay you wager
what is that"
"A hundred pounds that you can't
overtake that merchant ship"
,"What.' reared the admiral "Me
take out one OF his majestys ships to
chase after a runaway wife and a fool,
ish girl?"
II beg your pardon, admiral, II you
refer to Mistress Deborah Slocnm, !
must ask you to moderate your Ian
guage.' protested Sir Charles, warmly,
his face flushing.
Go to, go to-" laughed the adj
niira1. I'm old enough TO be your
| father. But the idea OF an admiral
of the white taking a hundred gun
ship-of-the-line out 10 chase a paltry
merchantmen for-Impossible. my boy.
impossible"'
"But" said Sir Charles the navy
| cannot afford to decline bet, wager
| with its sister service. I'll lay you
a thousand pounds. admiral, that you
can't do it."
my lad" said the admiral gently,
after moments reflection, mo wag-
ers are needed. I'll do ii because I'm
fond OF the girl and Darlington. too.
can overhaul them before nightfall
without doubt and III be glad TO do it,
although just exactly what warrant
have for stopping an American ship
on the high seas and taking from her
another mans wife ] can hardly say.
Il can help you in that, admiral
AS to warrant, if you'll bring to the
other ship and give me boat crew,
I'll go aboard the American and do
the rest. Mistress Deborah, am sure.
will come willingly"
Don't be too SIRE of that" returned
the admiral. don't count upon wom-
an until she's your own, and don't
count too much upon her after that,
as Darlington might say"
Nevertheless, ] think ! speak by
the card said Sir Charles.
/ Very we'll You know best Hav-
| ing been a bachelor all my life,
know more about ships than women.
but bark We. Seton, this one thing.
Don't you come back to the ship after
/ put you aboard that trader, with
only Miss Deborah. The two have to
come together, or go together, you
understand"
Eyes, sir"
The admiral struck the bell on the
table beside him. Instantly the ma
rine orderly popped in the door.
my compliments to the officer of
the deck" said the admiral to the