Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-25


determined to wreak HIS vengeance
upon the earl. AS the boat drew close
60 his bows. by sudden sweep OF the
helm he sent his own heavier cutter
crashing fair into IL The force with
which he struck the other boat caused
/ Strathgate's smaller vessel to hang on
the bows OF Carrington's boat There
was no loss OF life. for Strathgate.
scarcely worse for the disaster, fol-
lowed by Cooper and the lad, scram-
bled aboard Haights cutter.
White with passion Strathgate
rushed aft. shaking his FIST at CARING
ton. who sat laughing bitterly IN the
stern sheets. At Strathgate's back
were Cooper. furious over the deliber-
ate wrecking OF his boat. and the boy
eager to join in the fray.
by heaven" cried Strathgate,
flcreely. what did you mean by
/ that?"
Il should think that my meaning
was obvious even 20 you" says my
lord, indinerently, although he was
seething with anger to see his adver-
sary within his reach.
II don't know you, sir" cried Coop
er. shaking his fist. but you sunk my
boat You done II deliberately. tn
cost you a matter OF ESQ"
"'Tis cheap at the price" answered
| Darlington. Don't worry. my man.
Just pipe down." he continued, as
Cooper opened his mouth TO expostu-
late. I'm Lord Darlington. You shall
be paid for your boat and something
for your trouble"
Payment is not enough to com
pensate me, Darlington" cried Strath-
gate. furiously.
NO" returned Darlington. there's
nothing that I might offer you that
would pay you for what you've done,
you dastardi"
What DO you mean?"
you know very well what I mean.
although I confess / have done some
wrong to your powers Of fascination"
/ returned Darlington.
AND what, pray, may be the ex-
/ PLANTATION OF that statement" queried
Strathgate.
i thought that you had run away
with my wife; I thought so yesterday
morning. that is; but now see that
she fed from YOU as well as from
me"
Its a liei" cried Strathgate.
Both men were now so worked up
and so blinded with passion that they
did not care for the open-mouthed.
open-eared audience which crowded
around them.
"She did go with me-" continued the
runaway.
IT looks like Il this morning. II
she went with you. how did she come
% be on yonder ship while you were
hereT"
StrathEate laughed evilly.
II you must know IL, my lord. your
wife fed IN my company"
Damn youi" cried Carrinston.
But Strathgats went on without
needing.
An accident. a broken coach wheel
stopped cur journey. ] rode on ahead
70 make arrangements for our passage
20 some happier land on yonder ship.
Lady Ellen elected 90 go by water"
Il don't believe word OF IT," re-
turned Darlington. III Il were true. 90
asked my lord again. Il ask you
why you were not on the ship?"
Il oversight myself this morning.
with the consequences which you see. -"
You haven't seen the end OF those
consequences. my Lord Srathgate. q"
continued Darlington.
MOI"
Not by any means. Wen settle
the question as TO which Of us is TO
| live"
And have Lady Enen?" interrupt.
ed Stratheate.
| Carrineton whipped out his pistol
Another word like that and I'll
kin you without giving you a chance
for defense
| you threatened 90 murder me on
the wharf an hour or so ago" and
Strathgatc. equally. What prevents
you from doing il now?"
"A thing OF which you know moth.
ing" answered Darlington.
And what is that. pray?"
| A sense OF honor"
Indeed" answered the earl, Il had
understood that your honor was in
Lady Ellens keeping"
The sweat stood out on Darlington S
face. He locked his Jaws until the
A4AoCiCS IOSt lAhr WlApColIS. Tie Was
under the strongest possible con.
straint a man may put upon himself
MY honor is in her ladyship's keep
ing" he said slowly az last. and I am
confident that she will never put it at
the hazard of a backyard like your.
self"
| This time it was Strathgate who
gave way.
you have another pistol at your
belt Give it TO me- Take you one
end Of this boat and I the other Wen
see then who has the right to live and
love"
. Il dishonor myself" said Caring
ton. rising and abandoning the tiller
which was instantly grasped by one
OF the crew. by meeting you in this
way, but I'll do IL. Herei"
He extended one of the pistols.
!. Il would prefer a choice" said
Strathgate. not extending his arm tc
take H.