The Washington herald., 1909-10-17

soon, after all the years that had passed
since he had introduced her to his
sister at Raleigh filed him with wild
delight. and he prayed that In her mad
/ flight from the Duke Of Ballywinkle no
harm might come to her
The three men rode out into the broad
highway at the red bungalow and paused
to listen.
He hasn't cot here yet Only one
person has passed and these must Do
the tracks of the girls horse" said
! Cooke, who had dismounted and struck
matches. the better to observe the faint
footprints IN the hard shell road.
Hell be along IN q minute. Let us
get into the shadow OF the bungalow,
and when he comes wen ride out and
nail him. The bungalows a sort OF way
house. ] often stop here when I'm out
on the estate and want to rest. have
tho key in my pocket"
As Ardmore's keys jingied IN the lock
Cooke cried out softly. Their quarry
was riding swiftly toward them. and
he drew rein before the bungalow as
Cooke and Collins rode out 20 meet him.
Il say" painted the duke.
You are our prisoner. Dismount and
come into this house"
Prisoner you fool I'm a guest at
Ardsley and I'm looking for a lady"
That's q very unlikely story. Collins.
help the gentleman down." and the re-
porter obcyed instructions with so much
zeal that the noble gentleman fell prone,
and was assisted to his feet with a
fine mockery OF helpfulness.
II tell you I'm looking for lady
whose horse ran away with her, I'm
the Duke OF BallywinlIle and brother-in-
law to Mr.. ArdmOre. I'll have you sent
10 jail If you stop me here"
Come along. duke, and Wen see what
you look like" said Cooke. leading the
way TO the bungalow veranda Within
Ardmore was lighting lamps There was
long room finished in black oak. with
fireplace at one end and a table In
the center The foOrs were covered with
handsome rugs and the walls were hung
with photographs and etchings Ardmore
sat on the back OF a leather settee IN a
pose assumed at the moment of the
dukes entrance. 1t was a pose OF en-
tire nonchalance, and ArdmOre's cap.
perched on the back Of his head, and
his brown hair rumpled bOyishly. added
10 the general effect OF comfort and ease.
The duke blinked for a moment in the
lamplisht. then he roared out joyously:
"Ardy. old mani" and advanced toward
his 6rother-in-law with outstretched hand.
Keep him on; he's undoubtedly quite
mad" said Ardmore staring coldly, and
bending his riding-crop across his knees.
Collins. please ride on after the lady
and bring her back this way
Cooke had seated the prisoner rather
rudely in a chair. and the noble duke
haIng lost the power Of speech in
anazement and fright. rubbed his eyes
and then fastened them incredulously on
Ardmore: but there was no question
about H. he had been seized with vio-
lence: he had been repudiated By his
own brother-in-law-th useless. stupid
Tommy Ardmore who, at best had only
a childs mind for pirate stories and who
was Individually the most negligible OF
negligible figures In the drama OF life IS
the duke knew H.
Cooke" began Ardmore, addressing his
lieutenant Eraveiy from his perch on
the settee what is the charge against
this person."
He says he's duke" griuned Cooke.
taking his cue from Ardmore's manner.
And he says he's visiting at Ardsley."
That" said Ardmore with decision,
'is creditable only 10 the gentleman's
romantic imagination. His face is any
thing but dukely. and there's a red
the recent sharp blow 81 a weapon: and
no one would ever strike a duke. It's
utterly Incredible" and Ardmore lifted
his brows and leaned back with his arms
at length and his hands clasping the
riding-crop. as he contemplated with su-
preme satisfaction the tell-tale red line
across the dukes cheek.
The Duke Of Ballywinkle leaped 20 his
feet, the color that suffused his pale face
hiding for the moment the mark Of the
riding-stick.
What the devil IS this joke Ardy?'
screamed the duke. ''You know I'm a
guest at your house; you know I'm your
sisters husband l was riding with Miss
Dangerheld and her horse ran away with
her. and she may come 10 harm unless
so after her. This cut on the face
got from a low limb OF one OF your
Internal trees You are putting me in
n devil OF an embarrassing position by
holding me here"
He spoke with dignity. and Ardmore
heard him through in silence; but when
he had finished, the master of Ardsey
pointed TO the chair.
"As I understand you. you are plead
ing not guilty; and you pretend TO some
acquaintance with me; but I am unable
to recall you. We may have met some
whore, some time. but I really don't know
you. The title to which you pretend IS
unfamiliar to me: but I viii frankly
disclose TO you that I, sir am the
governor OF North Carolina"
1.-The what?" bleated the duke, HIS eyes
bulging.
Il repeat. that I am the governor Of
North Carolina, and as a state of war
now exists in my unhappy kingdom. l.
sir. have assumed all the powers con-
terred upon the three coordinate
branches Of government under the Ameri-
can system, namely. or II you prefer it.
will say, to wit; the legislative, tho ex-
ecutive and the judicial 1t is thus not
only my privilege, but my painful duty
10 pass upon your case in all its sad as
poets. As 1 have already suspended the
write OF habeas corpus and set aside the
right TO trial by jury we viii consider
that I sit here as the supreme court"
Tor Gods sake. Ardy-" howled the
duke.
THAT remark I viii not now construe
as profanity but don't let It occur
again. The first charge against you Is
that of insulting a woman on the Sun
set Trail in the estate called Ardsley,
owned by a person known in law as
Thomas Ardmore. There are three wit
nesses to the fact that yOC tried to stop
q woman in the road, and that streak
on your face IS even more conclusive.
Are you guilty or not guilty."
You are mad, You are crazyi' shout
cd the duke; but his face was very white
now, and the mark of the crop famed
scarlet.
You are guilty. beyond any question.
But the further charge against you that
you pretend to be-what did he say his
name was. Cooke ?-that you pretend 70
DE the Duke of Ballywinkle must now
be considered. That is quite right, is
II; you say you are the dukeT
Yes; you foolr' howled the duke TN
have the law on you for this! III appeal
to the British ambassador"
IT advise you not to appeal to any
body" said Ardmore. land the British