Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-04-17

loogekeeper's cottage, hammered un
the window with the butt Of his whip,
and when that functionary appeared,
Strathgate boldly avowed his name
and title and said that he was riding
forth on a wager with my lord; that
he would be back in the morning. He
held up handful Of guineas and babe
the keeper peremptorily to come out
and open the gate. The startled man,
having no reason to suppose that any
thing was wrong and recognizing my
lord as a guest Of the house, did as he
vas bid. pocketed his guineas and
piled back into bed again, marveling
much ere he dropped asleep at the
ways of these gentlefolk. The blinds
Of the carriage we're drawn and he
had no idea that he was promoting the
escape Of his masters wife and her
friend.
The road from the lodge gate ran
for about half a mile through the park
until 1t joined the main road. Ports
mouth lay to the eastward, to the
westward was Plymouth. Having
passed the lodge successfully, Ellen
raised the blinds Of the carriage and
looked out upon the familiar scenes
flying swiftly by them, for Strathgate
had put the bays into fast trot and
the light carriage was going forward
at a rapid gait. In q short time they
came to the main road. Now Ellen
knew the way perfectly. She was
greatly astonished, therefore, TO see
Strathgate turning to the right. She
lowered the window and thrust her
head out once more.
My lord!" she called, -.
Strathgate scarcely checking the
pace Of the horses leaned back to
listen.
we WISH 10 90 10 Portsmouth.
so you said" returned my lord.
well, Portsmouth lies to the left
and you are taking us to the right"
You will be safer at my castle In
Somerset than at Portsmouth, think
my lady"
But don't wish to go to your cas-.
tle," cried Lady Ellen angrily.
And do you imagine, my dear Lady
Darlington" chuckled Strathgate, who
was greatly amused over the situation,
that ] have run away with you from
your husbands house to defend you II
need be by-sword and pistol from your
husband, for the sake Of handing you
over to some American sailor at
Portsmouth"
my lord!" exclaimed Ellen, thun.
dcrstruck by this open intimation Of
the earl's feelings.
You must have seen that / love
you" continued Strathgate eoolly
enough, and In short am taking you
to my own house. shall know how
to hold you safe there"
You yillain!" cried Ellen, while
Deborah, overwhelmed with the horror
Of this revelation, for the conversation
was quite audible to her, nearly faint
ed within the carriage.
Strathgate laughed.
MY lady," he said, you might as
VII make the best Of 1t. You have
I'D with me and you are in my hands.
n, world will give you credit for
nothing aside from me. My affection
will protect you"
Ellen had been fumbling at her belt
while this was spoken and In a fit Of
passion she suddenly reached up her
arm and discharged her pistol full at
the earl. He had just time, catching
a glimpse Of the shining steel Of the
barrel in the waning moonlight, to
throw himself aside when the bullet
whistled by his ear. The startled
horses bounded into q run at once,
and for few moments Strathgate had
all he could do to control them.
THE vixen!" he murmured. But
I'll tame her when I get her to Strath-
gate house" .. u
He succeeded In quieting the horses
somewhat, but did not dare to bring
them to Z slow pace lest Ellen should