The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1908-09-04

| ei'i Wal iiiohsteis swinging easily q
their anchors in the strong ebb-"bu
she's gone now"
She got under way at daybreal
this morning" said bystander: "yon
der she Is" He pointed down tht
harbor at ship under full sail rapid
ly working toward the channel.
Who has the fastest boat in ths
harbor? cried Strathgate with sue
den resolution.
Il have. yer honor" answered
Cooper
And although his claim was yocifer
ously disputed by a dozen men wha
crowded around Strathgate, who ratk
er liked the appearance of the man
pitched upon him for his purpose.
"A hundred pounds to you." he cried
loudly. "if you put me on board tn.
Flying Star before she gets out of the
harbor.'
I'D like to see the color of yer
money, yer honor, beggin' yer par
don," said Cooper.
Strathgate pulled out a full purse
and passed him a ten-pound note.
This for earnest money" he said.
Now hasten!"
I'll want hand to help me with
the Sails" said Cooper, full of excite
ment.
Five pounds to the man that goes
II we win. I'm the earl of Strath
gate"
Yes, your lordship."
Take me, Cooper!"
I'll go!" cried one and another.
Cooper quickly selected his man
choosing one of the lightest and most
agile of the applicants.
Into the boat with you!" cried
Strathgate as soon as the matter was
settled.
Now that he had made up his mind,
he was eager to be off. He did not
know where Ellen was. He had no
assurance that she was on that ship,
but at any rate it was possible clew,
and anything was better than passing
the day in idleness at Portsmouth
Perhaps Ellen had come in in some
way during the night. Stop! 1t sud
denly flashed into his mind that she
might have come by sea. There would
have been plenty OF time, II she had
gotten boat. anywhere near the
place where the carriage was wrecked.
This made him the more impatient
and anxious to get away.
Fired by the splendid reward for
success, Cooper and his man worked
double tides and soon had the sails
hoisted and the boat ready for de-
parture.
will yer honor come now?"
Immediately" cried Strathgate.
I'VE haven't moment to lose, your
lordship." returned Cooper. "Those
Yankees are swift footers and it'll be
nip and tuck II we overhaul her"
Strathgate sprang into the boat and
Cooper showed off, The boom swung
out to leeward and the sail OF the
cutter filled. She was in the lee of
the wharf. however, and was moving
very slowly when a horseman came
galloping down to the strand at full
speed. His sorry steed was COM
pletely blown. The rider dropped the
reins on the horses neck, sprang to
the ground and ran out on the wharf,
attracted thereto by the crowd Of peo-
pie watching the departure of Strath-
gate. AS he ran, he shouted:
Can any of you tell me anything
about the New Eagle?"
"Ay, MASTER" answered one Of the
boatmen. "she sailed yesterday morn.
ing for Philadelphia"
Yesterday morning."
"Ay, yer honor"
What ship is that" continued Car
rington peering straight down the har-
Dor. "She looks like an American"
He was viewing her with the eye of
sailorly experience.
"'Tis an American" answered an
other, that be the Yankee clipper,
Flying Star"
when did she sail?'
This morning at daybreak."
Where is"
At that moment Carringtons eye
comprehended the little cutter glid-
ing along the wharf. He recognized
Strathgate standing up in the stern
sheets with his arms akimbo, an in
sulting smile upon his face. With a
muttered oath Darlington in two
bounds reached the side of the wharf.
The boat was increasing its speed at
every moment.
"Strathgate!" thundered Darlington,
where is my" He stopped. Where
are the fugitives?"
Strathgate laughed ironically, while
Darlington with eager eyes searched
the recesses of the little craft, think
ing that Ellen and Deborah would be
aboard of her. His relief was mex
pressible when he found that Strath-
gate was alone. Yet that did not solve
the question that rose in his mind.
Where is she. l say?" he thun-
dered.
Strathgate's answer was an ironical
bow
Am l your wifes keeper" he
laughed. waving his hat in disdain.
(To BE CONTINUED
Art In Spanish Bank Notes,