Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-11
NO. my lud; not in the dark

Ne De nightly afeard OF firearms.
your lordship." answered another
stable boy. They looked awful big
and monstrous in the night"
Which team did they takeY'' said
Darlington. cutting ia.
He knew all he had 90 know, and
he would waste no more time on these
men.
The bays. my lud."
The bays The best team in the
stable and the travelling carriage7"
Your lordship. yes. sir" returned
the coachnlsn.
That viii do. Go you and saddle
Sailor and the best rider among you
boys saddle the best horse left in the
stable and make ready 20 come with
me. See that your pistols arc ia the
holsters. Where is the lodgekeeper7"
! Here. sir" answered that individ-
ual. entering the library and making
8 scrape.
What do you know about this az
fair7'
What affair, my lud7"
The flight OF the earl Of Strath-
gate"
He came 10 the lodge about two
o'clock and said som'w'at about .
wager with your lordship and babe me
open tho gate"
And you opened II. you foOl7"
Yes. my lud."
"Jepson." said Carring ton 20 the but
Ter. tell M. Wilson, my steward, TO
discharge every man before me ex-
cept the one who rides with me.
| They are either knaves OF fools. and
I want none OF them about me Which
way did the carriage turn" continued
Darlington once more facing the lodge
keeper.
III I'm no longer In your Iordship's
employ. don't know as I can remem-
Der that" the man answered imperti-
/ nently.
You villaini" cried the Infatuated
earl. making a dash at him. but the
man did not wait He stood not upon
/ the order OF his going but fed az
once with the others from the room.
A moment later there was & timid
knock on the door and at Carrington's
bidding the woman who looked after
Mistress Deborah entered.
Your lordship. Mistress Slocum's
room IS empty"
Was her bed slept in last night?"
Yes. my lud."
And she is not there nowT"
NO. my lud"
she did not summon you this morn
ing7"
No. my lud. But, then. she often
dresses herself. and there's nothing
peculiar about that"
Have you looked for her else
where?"
NO. my lud."
Search the house for her at once.
and tell her l want 20 sec her"
Yes. my lud"
NOW. got" cried Darlington.
The maid disappeared only 20 give
place 20 Admiral Kephard
What's the trouble my lad?" said
the admiral. rolling into the room. Civ
ing evidence I'm the disorder OF HE
costume OF the haste Ia which be had
made his toilet
Admiral. you are the only friend
have In Gods world believe"
Well, ] am your friend. my lad
Count on that without fail What's
the trouble?"
LADY Darlington has gone. She lefr
me this"
lie drew from the pocket OF his
waistcoat the note. added the cheQus
20 90. and extcraod them 20 the al
miIaL
The old man took them, read then
slowly. folded them un and returne,
them 90 the injured husband
| Darlington" he said you've beer
a fool"
Il know g. returned the other
The idea." said the admiral. ~o
your giviur "a look 10 that painted old
coQuettc. when YOU had such a woman
as Lady Ellen fcr your wife"
You can't say anything too harsi
for me. admiral"
I'm glad you are awake 10 the
situation. Now the thing 20 do is e
clap on sail in chase. overhaul her
bring her TO. make your apologize.
handsomely and fetch her back tC
anchorage under convoy. Then wei
clear out this crew"
IT'S too late" cried Darlington
hoarsely. Too late for that"
What do you mean?"
| She's gone"
Yes" said the admiral. the lettet
tells that"
But not alone" groaned the youns
man.
With whom. then?"
| with Strathgate. Damn him.
cried Darlington. gritting his teecl.
Good Lord" gasped the admiral
sinking down in chair and passin,
his hand across his forehead. Il
isn't possible"
It's true"
IF you please, my lud." interrupt
ed the maid, coming In unannounce,
IA her excitement
What do you mean" cried Carrine
ton. by interrupting me in this way {?
please. my lud." curtsied the maid
terrified but standing her ground
Mistress Slocum's hat and cloak ar
gone, too"
What" roared Darlington.
TITS better than we thought, Berr
ard" said the admiral, rising and slaE