The Ordway new era., 1908-09-25

open-cared audience which croWuco
around them.
she did go with me-" continued the
runaway.
| 1T looks like II this morning, II
| she went with you. how did she como
to be on yonder ship while you were
here?'
Strathgate laughed evilly.
IF you must know II, my lord. your
wife fed in my company"
Damn you," cried Darlington.
But Strathgate went on without
needing.
An accident, broken coach wheel
stopped our journey. l rode on ahead
/ TO make arrangements for our passage
to some happier land on yonder ship.
Lady Ellen elected to so by water.
Il don't believe word OF II" re-
turned Darlington. IF 1t were true,
asked my lord again. Il ask you
why you were not on the ship?'
| Il oversight myself this morning,
with the consequences which you see"
You haven't seen the end OF those
consequences. my Lord Strathgate.'
continued Darlington.
| "No?"
Not by any means. Wen settle
the question as to which of us is to
live"
And have Lady Elem" interrupt
ed Strathgate.
Darlington whipped out his pistol.
Another word like that and I'll
kill you without giving you a chance
for defense"
You threatened to murder me on
the wharf an hour or so ago" and
| Strathgate. equally. What prevents
you from doing it now"
"A thing OF which you know moth.
ing" answered Darlington.
And what is that, pray?"
"A sense OF honor"
Indeed" answered the earl. Il had
understood that your honor was in
Lady Ellens keeping"
The sweat stood out on Carrington's
face. He locked his jaws until the
muscles rose like whIpcords. He was
under the strongest possible con-
straint a man may put upon himself.
My honor is in her ladyship's keep
ing" he said slowly at last, and | am
|
| the hazard of blackguard like your
self"
This time 1t was Strathgate who
gave way.
You have another pistol at your
belt. Give II to me. Take you one
end of this boat and the other Well
see then who has the right to live and
| love"
Il dishonor myself" said Caring
ton. rising and abandoning the tiller.
which was instantly grasped by one
| of the crew. by meeting you in this
way. but I'll do II. Here,"
He extended one of the pistols.
Il would prefer n choice said
take II.
"As you will" returned Darlington.
extending both OF them to him. You
honor me in doubling my good faith"
he remarked as Strathgate took one
of the pistols. 'Haight," said Caring.
| ton. take your station amidshlp. out
Of range. and count three. There
shall be no firing done by either OF us
| until after the word three Are you
| agreed. Lord Strathgate?"
Entirely returned the other. step
| ping forward.
But Master Haight did not propose
TO have his vessel turned into a field
/ of honor which would be a field of
blood. He interposed a vigorous OBJ
| lection.
Gentlemen" he began, "I'll have no
murder done here"
There shall be none" said Caring
ton. "'Tis a fair duel with each man
chance for his life
Il don't know about that, my mas
ters," returned the sailor. but say
this: This boats mine. I'm the cap.
tain Of it, and I'll have no fightin'
aboard. Savin' yer honors' graces. it
| can't be done. You agree with me,
Cooper? You, Jack? You. Ned?"
"Ay. ay," returned the others. clos.
ing about Haight and interposing be-
tween the would.be combatants.
CTO BE CONT1NUEDJ