The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1908-09-25

open cared audience which crowded
around them.
She did go with me-" continued the
runaway.
1t looks like it this morning. II
she went with you. how did she come
to be on yonder ship while you were
here?'
Strathgate laughed eyilIy.
IF you must know 1t. my lord, your
wife fed in my company"
Damn you!" cried Darlington.
But Strathgate went on without
needing.
An accident. broken coach wheel
stopped our journey. rode on ahead
to make arrangements for our passage
to some happier land on yonder ship
Lady Ellen elected to go by water
Il don't believe a word of it," re.
turned Darlington. "If it were true
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 Strathgate,
continued Darlington.
MOP"
Not by any means Wen settle
the question as to which of us is to
live
And have Lady Elem" interrupt.
ed Strathgate
Darlington whipped out his pistol.
Another word like that and I'll
kill you without giving you a chance
for defense"
You threatened to murder me on
the wharf an hour or so ago. and
Strathgate. equally. What prevents
you from doing it 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 Ellen's keeping"
The sweat stood out on Carringtons
face. He locked his jaws until the
muscles rose like whlpcords. He was
under the strongest possible con.
straint man may put upon himself
My honor is in her ladyship's keep
ing he said slowly at last, and am
confident that she will never put it at
the hazard of blackguard 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 the other. Well
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 1t. Here,"
He extended one of the pistols.
Il would prefer a choice" said
Strathgate, not extending his arm to
take it.
las you will" returned Carrington,
extending both of them to him. You
honor me in doubling my good faith"
he remarked as Strathgate took one
Of the pistols. 'Haight," said earring.
ton, take your station amidship, out
of range, and count three There
shall De no firing done by either of US
until after the word three Are you
agreed. Lord Strathgate?"
Entirely" returned the other, step
ping forward
But Master Haight did not propose
to have his vessel turned into a field
of honor, which would be a field of
blood. He interposed a vigorous OBJ
lection.
Gentlemen" he began, I'll have no
murder done here
There shall be none," said Caring
ton. "'Tis fair duel with each man
a chance for his life
Il don't know about that. my mas
ters," returned the sailor, but l say
this: This boats mine, I'm the cap.
tain Of it, and III have no fightin'
aboard. Savin' yer honors' graces, it
can't be done. You agree with me,
Cooper? You, Jack? You, Ned?"
"Ay, ay," returned the others, clos.
ing about Haight and interposing be-
tween the wouldbe combatants.
(TO BE CONTINUED1