Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1908-03-19
Continued from Yesterday

sward, well in the shade of the trees.
deposited his box, opened It. knelt
down and busted himself over its CON
tents, which so far as the women
could make out consisted OF bottles,
bandages and shining Instruments of
some sort Lady Cecily would have
known instantly what was about to
occur. but 1t was some time before
either Deborah or Ellen OWNED that
they were to be the spectators to
duel.
II wonder where they areg'' the
little man carrying the swords yawned
out, looking vaguely about the clear
ing.
Strathgate pulled out his watch.
Ills not yet the appointed hour"
he answered.
What the devil made you get up so
early, them" asked the small man,
grumpily.
Il always like to be beforehand in
affairs of this kind. Blythedale," re-
turned Strathgate.
Wei. ] wish the others would come
so we can have it over and get back
to breakfast, or more like to bed,'
growled Blythedale, Grossly.
Strashgate laughed at him.
They'll be here on time. You
needn't worry. Darlington IL a fool
where women are concerned, but he's
not afraid of any man, take it, and
youll see him in due course.
Wei, wish he'd hurry up" grum-
eled the bad-tempered baron as Strath-
ate turned and walked over toward
the doctor.
Have you got everything ready, DR..
Nevinson?' asked the earl.
Everything, my lord" replied the
doctor, grayely Il hope, however,
that you gentlemen win give me little
to do
Strathgate laughed again.
III Il depends on me, doctor, you'll
have nothing to do but certify to a
death =
Il didn't mean it that way, my
lord said the doctor. gravely.
But do" asserted Strathgate,
turning away.
Every word of the conversation had
been heard by Ellen and Deborah The
whole situation was now clear to
them both. This was to be duel
Darlington and Strathgate were to
meet. Strathgate's deadly purpose
was evident from his grim remark to
the surgeon. Ellen could not doubt
but that Darlington shared the same
ruthless feeling to the full He was
coming to battle about her. Her
heart leaped at first at the thought
and then contracted like lump Of ice
at the possibility Of disaster and
death which lay before the man she
loved
Her first impulse was to rise, dash
into the clearing and dcnounce Strath-
gate, but a second thought assured her
OF the folly Of that purpose. Those
men were bent on fighting They
would only fight the harder and more
fiercely II she interfered. She would
simply be removed from the scene Of
action and the duel would go on.
The situation was an intolerable
one whichever way she turned what
ever she did That she should lie
quiet IN a thicket and watch her hus.
band fight for his life was unbearable.
That she should burst out and inter
ruyt them and then simply be removed
and the battle be waged the more
fiercely was also uncomfortable, Yet,
she would have chosen the latter
course had IT not come across her
mind like fash CT intuition, that her
appearance at that juncture would
probably greatly agitate her husband,
and that his chance for life would be
worse in that he would be less cool
than Strathgate. She had sense
enough to see that Strathgate would
welcome her arrival. and how easily
he could turn 1t to his own advantage
by claiming, in spite Of any protest
she might make, that she was there
by her own contrivance and at Strath-
gates request.
She dug her feet into the ground
and locked her teeth In anguish. The
sweat stood out on her brow. But
there was nothing to do but lie still
and keep watch.
1t was Debbie who broke the silence
by approaching her ear and whisper
ing:
Lord Strathgate is going to fight q
duel with Lord Darlington. Let us go
out and stop it,"
I'VE can't" answered Ellen. "'Tis
impossible.
Are you going to lie here and
watch them kill each other?' asked
Deborah, to whom the situation did
not present itself asvit did to Ellen.
There's nothing else ! can do, re-
turned Ellen. Don't you see II they
were here, they would simply take us
away and continue the fight, and II
we came out now. 1t would appear as
II we had been with Lord Strathgate.
1t would unsettle Bernard So"
OH" said Deborah, turning to look
closely at her wretched comrade.
What she saw moved her to in
slant pity She drew closer to Ellen
and reached her arm around the
others neck
MY poor girllv she murmured.