Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-12-09
CHAPTER xX.-Continued.

CHAPTER XX.-Continued.
Lord Blythedale looked up as Sir
Charles approached.
Hello, Seton" he said "You know
Strathgate, l believe. He and Caring
ton have had it out here this morn
ing"
Il understand interrupted Sir
Charles.
Well Strathgate's got it terribly
DR.. Nevinson here has just succeeded
in stanching the blood Will you call
my head keeper, you'll find him over
beyond the coppice yonder, and we'll
have him bring shutter and take
Strathgate up to the house. It'll be
touch and go with him, I'm sure
Demned unpleasant piece of business
this and so early in the morning!"
did you find the ladies', Seton?"
came in weak and faltering tones from
Strathgate's pale lips as he recognized
Sir Charles bending over him.
NO. replied Sir Charles. He hated
the man, but he was terribly down and
perhaps would soon be quite out and
he could not get up the heart to treat
him cruelty. He had played the fool,
yes, and worse. the knave, but he was
paying for it a high price. "No, they
were not on that ship. They had got
ten away somewhere"
"Devilish clever woman, that" fall
tered Strathgate, land beautiful. Car
rington's a damned fool-if he-did-
run me through. You're another, Sc
ton, and-I'm---"
But what Lord Strathgate was in
his own opinion, he did not at that
moment reveal, for the effort at speech
had been too much for him. With a
sort of CHASTITY chuckle, he tainted
quite away again.
I'VE have no time to lose," said
Nevinson, abruptly. 1--WE must get
him to the house at once"
It'll call the keepers myself" said
Blythedale, who should have done it
at first, as he knew where he had
posted them.
Fetch me some water, if you will,
Sir Charles,' exclaimed the doctor,
from the brook yonder! Here's cup"
Sir Charles did as he was bid. and
although he went and came in the
tWinkling of an eye and extended to
the surgeon the cup of water desired.
he had time while he filled it to pick
up something else that lay by the
bank in the soft OoZe of the border of
the brook. He noticed the foot print
Of a woman's shoe and by the side of
it another little knot of ribbon like
that he wore, a knot of scarlet, the
color Mistress Debbie affected and with
which, he RECOMMENDATION he had
met Lady Ellen when she came from
the ship to England-the dress she
wore on the ocean, which she had I'M.
doubtedly assumed for travelling, was
trimmed. 1t matched that other knot
of scarlet which he had worn next his
heart since he took it from the car
rage floor.
Ellen and Deborah had escaped!
Why was it not possible for fortune
to have brought them there? His
eye swept the scene with the instinct
of a trained soldier to whom the habit
of seeking cover has become second
nature. The coppice! They we're
there and he would see them; they
should not escape him now. He has.
tily arranged his course.
In few moments Blythedale came
back with his keepers and shutter
from the nearest keepers house over
which blankets and comforts had been
hastily thrown. With infinite care,
they lifted the PROSTATE, senseless
Strathgate upon it and started for
the hall
'lf you'll forgive me, Blythedale,' ~
said Sir Charles in answer to an in
vitation to accompany them, II have
something to think about and / shall
stay here alone for a few moments"
"Oh, very well, suit YOURSELF" re-
turned Blythedale, but when you've
had your thought out, come up to the
hall and I'll give you some breakfast
and something to drink to take the
taste of this demned unpleasant busi-
ness out of our mouths, and so early
in the morning, too! Poor Strath.
gate!"
Seton stood quietly until he had
satisfied himself that the party had