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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1908)
E A POST MARITAL ROMANCE B1C CYRUS TO A Z VcJ T?A TOA& BY PAY WALTEPd LCOPYWGHr, 903 G j his chamber, my lord of Carrlng ton, thoroughly exhausted by the ex citing events of the evening, lay In a profound slumber dreaming perhaps of what he should do to my ladjr i the morninc CHAPTER VI. Lady Ellen Takes Flight. "Now. will you tell me your plans!" began Strathgate as the three descend ed to the mall. "Presently, presently," whispered Ellen. "We must get out of sight and Bound of the house." "Where shall we go?" "The arbor is the nearest and safest place of concealment." Strathgate led the way rapidly along the wall of the terrace and in a few moments the three fugitives gained the shelter of the arbor where they could talk without risk of being. over beard. "What next?" he said to Ellen, who bad stopped overwhelmed at the thoughts brought back by the place where she had seen Lady Cecily in her husband's arms. "We must have horses and a ve hicle of some kind," she said. "Would not a post chaise dot" "There are three of us, my lord," answered Ellen. "Does Mistress Deborah go with you then?" said Strathgate, much sur prised. "Certainly. Do you think I would leave her alone with the people yon der?" "I see," returned the earl, who was very much annoyed and put out by the infliction of this third party in what he had fondly hoped would be a tete-a-tete flight. There was no help for it, however. He trusted to fortune to assist him to dispose of Mistress Deborah later. "Where shall we get this carriage?" "In the stables, of course." "But the coachman and the grooms?" "It happens," said Ellen, "that some of them are away for the night. I be lieve there are not more than three stable boys at home and the coach man. The boys are devoted to me. The coachman will have to be per suaded." "And how will you persuade him?" queried Strathgate. "Bribe him?" "That would hardly be possible," re turned Ellen. "I shall hope that these'" she touched the pistols at her belt "may influence him." "Would you kill him?" "That would scarcely be necessary. With your assistance we will bind and gag him. They are bound to discover our flight anyway, and all we can do 13 to prevent their giving any alarm until they are sought for in the morn ing which will give us a fair start." "I see," returned Strathgate, "but would you not better let me undertake this part of the adventure? 'Tis scarcely woman's work." "Yes, yes," urged Deborah. "Let him go alone." "Not at all," returned Ellen, "for get if you please that I am a woman." "That were impossible," murmured Strathgate gently. "For I can use these weapons per haps as well as a man," went on my lady calmly. "How about the hounds?" queried Strathgate. "Their kennels are far removed from the stables and I do not think they v.ill give us trouble. Now, if we are to get away to-night, we must hasten. My lord, are you armed?" "As yourself," returned Strathgate, drawing aside his cloak and showing sword and pistols. "This way then," said Ellen, lead ing as if hers were the right unques tioned. "She was thoroughly familiar with the lay of the land and the location X the stables. The coachman, who was unmarried, slept in a house by himself. Entrance was easy since the door was not locked. Deborah stayed outside In the deep shadow of a little porch while Strathgate and Ellen entered the room. There was a low fire burning on the hearth which gave forth sufBcient light to enable the two to discover the coachman sound asleep in his bed. "Let me do the talking." said Strathgate. "He won't recognize you If you stay back here in the dark ness." "Very well," assented Ellen as the earl stepped over to the bed and roughly shook the coachman, who opened his eyes to find himself star ing into the muzzle of a pistol. "You know me, HIgginbotham," be gan Strathgate. "Yes, my lud." said the coachman, greatly surprised and endeavoring to rise. . Strathgate pressed him down in his bed. "Lie still. I want to borrow a pair and a carriage from your master. I'm driving far to-night and I want a good pair. No, you are not to bother about hitching them up. I simply wished to tell you the fact3 so you won't make any trouble." "But, my lud, why don't you ask Lord Carrington? I'm sure he'd give you anything you want" "It's not necessary to go Into my reasons," answered Strathgate shortly. Me wrVMTI '1 J I a I I Vif&r'i i i i vi PSA Mi v "This look3 crooked to me, my ma.'- I duty to awaken his lordship." He opened his mouth to cry out. Strathgate shoved his pistol barrel closer to him. truculently remarking: "If you make a sound, I'll blow out your brains. Now, do you under- ) stand? I don't intend to steal the J horses. You'll find them well at some wayside inn 20 miles from here. Mean- j while, we will have to tie you up and gag you." N "Mercy, my lud," began the coach man. "Now, we mean you no harm. All you have to do is to keep quiet. You'll be released in the morning." "Very well, my lud," returned HIg ginbotham, to whom the shining weapon was a powerful persuader. Straps .and other bits of harness hung about the room. At a nod from Strathgate Ellen handed him several pieces of leather and the coachman was soon buckled hard and fast, his hands behind his back, his feet tied together and a gag in his mouth. Ellen had kept in the background and she was certain the had not been recog nized. She laid a guinea down on the man's table after he had been bound securely and followed Strathgate out of the room. They found Deborah shivering with cold and terror in the shadow and greatly relieved at their safe arrival. To enter the stable was easy. Three of the stable boys were there. They were devoted to Lady Ellen. She had to trust some one. She went boldly to their quarters, aroused them and told them she was going away. If anyone objected she handled her weapon threateningly! If they be haved themselves, there was a guinea apiece for them on the table. They would have to submit to being tied and gagged, which indeed they were willing to do, for only thus could they escape their master's wrath when he found his wife, his friend and his horses gone. The stable boys made no objection during the process and swore that if they were tightly bound so that there was no appearance of connivance on their part, no alarm should be given until the morning. Strathgate and Ellen trussed them up as they had done the coachman and then started for the horses. "Which are the best pair for travel ing, I wonder?" queried the earl as he, Ellen and Deborah surveyed the long row of stalls. "I have heard my lord say that the bays were the most reliable horses he had." "The bays it'll be, then," said Strath gate. "And now I cannot help you," said Ellen. "And now I need no help, madam," returned the earl. He quickly selected the harness, led out the bays and in a few moments the two were attached to a light trav eling carriage. "Where now?" said Strathgate when all the preparations had been com pleted. "We are going to Portsmouth, as I think I told you, my lord." "Very good," said Strathsate. "I'll drive, I suppose?" "If you will be so good.' "Get in, then, you and Mistress Deborah, and we will start away." "God send we may win safely past the house. There's no other way to get to the high road except around by the drive." "I shall put the horses on the turf and keep off the gravel so far as pos sible," said Strathgate, "and I think we'll probably get away without any alarm being given." Strathgate was an expert whip and he found no difficulty in keeping the spirited horses going quietly over the grassy turf which bordered the drive way and as he had predicted, they got past the house without making a sound. But one obstacle remained be tween them and . freedom the lodge keeper and the lodge gate. Ellen had forgotten it until they had gone some thing like a quarter of a mile through the park, when she suddenly thrust her head out of the window of the carriage and called it to Strathgate's attention. "Let me attend to that," returned the earl, confidently. "I have a plan. Do you keep close and let the curtains be drawn." He drove close to the wall of the lodgekeeper's cottage, - hammered on the window with the butt of his whip, and when that functionary appeared, Strathgate boldly avowed his name and title and said that he was riding forth on a wager with my lord; that he would be back in the morning. He held up a handful of guineas and bade the keeper peremptorily to come out and open the gate. The startled man, having no reason to suppose that any thing was wrong and recognizing my lord as a guest of the house, did as he was bid, pocketed his guineas and piled back into bed again, marveling much ere he dropped asleep at the ways of these gentlefolk. The blinds of the carriage were drawn and he had no Idea that he was promoting the escape of hfs master's wife and her friend. The road from the lodge rate ran for about half a mile through the park until It joined the main road. Ports mouth lay to the eastward, to the westward was Plymouth. Having pafsed the lodge successfully, Ellen rased the blinds cf the carriage and locked out upon the familiar scenes flying swiftly by them, for Strathgate Lad i ut the bays Into a fast trot and t'jc liiht carriage was going forward at a vdjld gait. In a short time they camo to the main road. Now Ellen kr.ev the way perfectly. She was greatly astonished, therefore, to see fitrcthcate turning to the right. She iowtrci the window and thrust her head cut once more. "J.Iy lord!" she called. Strn'.hgate scarcely checking the pace of the horses leaned back to listen. "We wish to go to Portsmouth." "So you said," returned my lord. "Well, Portsmouth lies to the left and you are taking us to the right." "You will be safer at my castle in Somerset than at Portsmouth, I think, my lady." "But I don't wish to go to your cas tle," cried Lady Ellen angrily. "And do you imagine, my dear Lady Carrington," chuckled Strathgate, who was greatly amused over the situation, "that I have run away with you from your husband's house to defend yoirif need be by sword and pistol from your husband, for the sake of handing you over to some American sailor at Portsmouth V "My lord!" exclaimed Ellen, thun derstruck by this open intimation of the earl's feelings. "You must have seen that I love you," continued Strathgate coolly enough, "and In short I am taking you to my own house. I shall know how to hold you safe there." "You villain!" cried Ellen, while Deborah, overwhelmed with the horror of this revelation, for the conversation was quite audible to her, nearly faint ed within the carriage. Strathgate laughed. "My lady," he said, "you might as well make the best of it. You have fled with me and you are in my hands. The world will give you credit for nothing aside from me. My affection will protect you." Ellen had been fumbling at her belt while this was spoken and in a fit of passion she suddenly reached up her arm and discharged her pistol full at the earl. He had just time, catching a glimpse of the shining steel of the barrel in the waning moonlight, to throw himself aside when the bullet whistled by his ear. The startled horses bounded into a run at once, and for a few moments Strathgate had all he could do to control them. "The vixen!" he murmured. "But I'll tame her when I get her to Strath gate house." He succeeded in quieting the horses somewhat, but did not dare to bring them to a slow pace lest Ellen should She Looked Out of the Carriage. escape from the carriage. To attempt to jump from it, which, indeed, she had thought upon, was too great a risk to life and limb, and, beside, it in volved leaving Deborah behind. There was one thing she could do, however. After some tugging, she got the little window in the front of the carriage open and thus got access to Strath gate's person. She thrust the barrel of her pistol up toward his back and swore she would discharge it unless he instantly turned the carriage about In the road. But Strathgate was a man of re source. While she was talking and threatening he slipped down from the high seat and . took position on the foot board with his feet resting on the pole of the carriage. He could drive Just as well there and the high and heavy seat protected him from any further attack. Ellen did at random shoot through the seat, but the bullet was deflected and Strathgate was unharmed. He was greatly relieved when she dis charged her second weapon without effect, for he reasoned that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for her to recharge them in the darkness ol the carriage at the pace they were going, and he therefore felt safe for the rest of the journey, although he did not resume his seat on the box, nor did he check the speed of the horses. Indeed, fearful lest the pis tol shot might have been heard by one of the gamekeepers In Carrington park, who might perchance arouse the house, Strathgate put the horses to a gallop and sent them flying over the hard road. What if he did foundei the horses? He would get so faraway before morning a3 to make pursuit im possible. So through the long hours he kept ud the mad pace over hill duwn dale recklttf!y driving fcrwa-d thf neb'e beasts ur.tll they were almost reaJy to drop with fati?ue. He was In high glee at the s iroes3 of Us a-1-venture, and even tha effort of Ellen to shoot him added a zest to the af fair, a flavor cf novelty, to which his jade.1 ra'ate res;. end-; 1 niarvelously. Within the carriage Dbcral: crouched in Ellen's arms. She haJ ben terrified bfyond measure by the situation, but Ellen hai soothed her as Lest she might and the little Purl tan had at Ir.-.t e uik to sleep resting on Ellen's shoulder. This was a fine end, or a fine begin ning of her adventure, thought Lady Carrington, bitterly. She had never dreamed of this and she blamed her self fcr a fool not to have thought cl it. Of course Lord Strathgate's inter est In her was a selfish one. Almost she wished that she had stayed at Car rington even though my lord had proved faithless to her with that paint ed Lady Cecily. But at the thought of that woman she almost forgot her own desperate situation for the time being. She loathed Strathgate, she hated Carrington, she abominated the whole sex whose garb she wore. What could she do? Again and again she looked out of the carriage at the road flying alongside. Again and again she resolved to try a leap which she had sense enough to know would be terribly dangerous at the rate they were going. She was not much of horsewoman, but she realized after a time that such a pace could not be kept up forever.- Her- opportunity would come when the horses gave 6ut and their speed slackened. She wished that she had not dis charged both pistols uselessly. She would like to kill Strathgate when she got out of the carriage. She had never been so Insulted In her life. The blood flamed to her face as she thought of it. And yet she had justice enough In her soul, in spite of the tur moil raging within her, to see that there" was a certain amount of excuse for Strathgate. Educated as he had been, with the habits and customs of his time which she was beginning dimly to comprehend how could he suppose that she expected purely dis interested service from him? He counted upon being paid for all he did for her,, in his castle. Her escape would be discovered In a short time; his absence would be noted; the testimony of the coachman, of the stable boys, of the lodgekeeper would be had. It would be known that they had gone away together. She would be ruined forever. Her husband Strathgate would kill him, or She would have given all she possessed if she had not abandoned Carrington. It was too late to go back now, however. What she must do would be in some way to get away from the earl and carry out her original plan of boarding her ship at Portsmouth. She vowed that she would force Strathgate to kill her rather than enter his house for a single moment. How she hated the man! How she longed for morn ing to come when she could stand face to face with him and tell him what she thought of him! The pace seemed to be a little slow er. Were the horses at last giving out? She leaned far out of the win dow to see. It was totally dark, how ever, and she could see nothing. The road was rougher now. They were passing through a heavy woodland. The carriage bumped and swayed frightfully, but Strathgate did not dare to slacken the pace, at least not at present. With whip and voice he urged the tired animals on. They had borne' themselves gallant ly. He judged that they had gone at least 20 miles from Carrington. A few miles farther on was a tavern where the ladies could be bestowed. The tav ern keeper was a friend of his who would ask no questions. From thence he could summon factotums of his own, who could by force, if necessary, compel Ellen to continue the journey. And there he could leave Deborah, whose presence was most unwelcome to him. Once let him get Ellen in his own castle, he would hold her there at all hazards; and by that time she would be so hopelessly compromised that she would have no place else tc go. He trusted to his powers of fas cination to render her captivity agree able, and But fortune was on Lady Carring ton's side that night In more ways than one. For with a sudden jolt the fore-right-wheel of the carriage sank into a deep rut. There was a crash as the wheel gave way at the hub. Strathgate was hurled violently from his seat and lay stunned in the road. The horses, utterly tired out, were glad to stop. Ellen and Deborah were thrown against the front of the car riage, but beyond a severe shaking and some bruises, sustained no injuries. Surmising what had happened, El len tore open the door of the carriage seized Deborah by the hand, dragged her out and ran desperately down th road. She did not see Strathgate; she did not know where he was; she did not care. She suspected that he must have been thrown from his seat by the shock, but she had something else to do than, to think of him. Hei first duty was to get away. With all the strength of her stout young body she ran down the road. She did not turn back toward Ports mouth, for she divined that if Strath gate recovered consciousness he would immediately imagine that she had gone that way. She was unfamiliai with the part of the country in which she found herself, but she had a geu eral idea that the roads in either di rection led to the sea, and her hope was to reach the shore. There was nothing that floated that she could nol sail. If she could get a boat, she could make Portsmouth harbor with out danger of pursuit. Holding fast 30C fl MkulQ Mums 7 A Y SS HOWS GO gj14I Hudnut's is made for critical users of the BEST. It is a pleasure for us to show them to you. : : : : Mm THE DRUGGISTS. o o DC Notice to Tax-Payers. The County Board of Equalization will set for the purpose of equalizing the assessment of Cassjcounty, for the year 1903, in the commissioners' cham ber at the court house, in Plattsmouth, beginning June 9th, 1908, and continue from day to day up to and including June 20th, 1908. All claims for equal izing must be filed on or before J une 17th, 1908. W. E. ROSENCRANS, County Clerk, Enkrta'ned the Freuen Verein TheFreaen Verein, of the Caflfey Club were entertained yesterday afternoon at the home of Miss Anna Goos, south of the city. Those attending being con veyed by carry-alls from the city. A very delightful time was had, consist ing of games, social conversation and musical numbers. Among: the most pleasing features of the afternoon's en joyment was the de'.ightfull luncheon which was served by the hostess. BUSTER BROWN OXFORDS or LOW CUT SHOES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS Style F 10 at $1.60 to $1.85 is a very graceful low cut, plain toe, two eye Gibson pump, medium sole. Style F 19 at $1.70 to S2.I0 for girls, patent leather blucher, fancy inlaid quarter, large eyelets, medium sole, a dressy low cut with lots of wear. All Buster Browns have smoothe in soles, no nails or tacks to wear out the hose. This Way forChildren'sSlippers 55c UP! Sherwood & Son. Y0Y NEEDN'T from the pleasure of having an Kdison Phonograph in your house simple be cause you cannot afford to pay for it all at once. We will be glad to furnish it so you can pay a small amount down and the rest on payments. Come in and hear them play. H. G. VAN HORN, DC3DQ DOC 0 Perfume 5 0 DC Wanted to Get Here in Time. J. H. Bailey, living near Yt'eeping Water, desired to spend Decoration Day in Plattsmouth,' and the trains not run ning to suit his convenience, he walked eight miles to catch a train at Louis ville. Mr. Bailey Is 60 years of age, and made the eight miles in two hours, P.etty good time for an old man. He got here in time to attend services. Charley Bell, of the B. and M. shops, went to Burlington, la., Friday even ing to spend Decoration Day and Sun day and return with Mrs. Bell, who has been vjsiting there for some time. Both returned this morning. Notice to Creditors. State of Nebraska. ) County of Cass. ( In County dm I. In the matter of the est ale of Margaret A. Pat terson, deceased. Notice Is hereby n ven that the creditors of said deceased will meet the administratrix. Mae l'atterson. of said estate lie fore me, coun ty judtre of Cass county, Nebraska, tit th county emit room in l'lattsmont li. in said county.on the. Sot li clay of June. H'tj. and on Uih l!th clay of Decern lier.l'.ies, at ten o'clock. a. m., of each day. for the purpose of presenting their claims for examination, adjustment and allowance. Six months are allowed for the creditors of of said decreased to present their claims, and one year for the administratrix to settle saicl estate, from the Sot 1 1 of May. wo. Witness my hand and seal of said County Court at I'lattsmouth, Nebraska, this Smh day of May, iWf. A1.I.KN J. IJKKsc N. County J udire. ltamsey & Katnsey, Attorney for Kstatt. SHERIFF'S SALE. By virtue of an order of sale, Issu-.l by James Itohertson. cleric of the district court, within and for Cass county. Nebraska, and to nie directed, I will on the 24th Day of June, A. D.f 1908, at 11 o'clock a. m., of said day at the south door of the court house, in said county, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate, to-wit: The north half of the northeast (n'i of the ne'i) cjuarter. of section thirty-three CCD In township twelve (12). ianre iiine(J). east of the '! h I'. M.. in Cass county. Nebraska. The same beinir levied ujion and taken as the projierty of Walter A. I.auirhlin. administra tor of t lie estate of Keuben A. Chapiit. deceas ed. Ira Chapin. Edward Chapin. Jesse o Chapin. Tacie Laiurhlin. nee Chapin: Kate Heeler, nee Chapin: May E. Chapin. Florence H. Chapin. Koy M. Chapin, mid Waller A. Laut-'lilin. t'uardian of M ay E. Chapin. I 'loi-iice H. Chapin. Koy M. Chapin and All-ri I. Wel ton. are defe ndants to sat isfy a jnd'm-nt of said court recovered by Oscar W. I.autrlili n. plainlitr. against said defendants. ('. I. fJriNTON. Sheriff Cass county. N ' raska. I'lattsmouth, Ne!., May -'tli. Notice to Cass County Farmerls The secret of curing hams and bacons lies in the use of Wright's Liquid Smoke. It's quicker, safer and gives better results than the old style method of using a wood fire. Sold by F. C. FRICKE& CO., Druggists, Plattsmouth, Neb. Plattsmouth, Nebr.