The
Escapade
By Cyrus Townsend Brady.
Ills collar,'"3rew forth tile locket, ana
huded It to Dr. Nevlnson. It con
tained a picture of bis wife. Ellen
recognized it as one she bad given
fcim In tbe early days of tbelr married
life. Parkham'a Inspection of the
other combatant bad developed noth
ing. "I presume," said. Strathgate, with
an evil laugh, "that the victor takes
tbe locket and the lady."
"This," began Parkman, bis face
flushing at the Insult. "Is most unusual
and improper, and I appeal to you,
lord Illythedale."
You're right. Parkman. Damn ye.
StmtLsate!" cried Blythedale. hot and
angry. "I never beard of such conduct.
Anotrcr remark like that and I re
fur 'j lc :i.t in your behalf. You have
y.v.' here you want him. before
your ;.:..ls point. You can let that
talk for you in the future."
"Give yourself no concern as to
what Lord Strathgate says. Parkman,"
aald Carrington. coolly. "He hasn't
much time to talk, and I'm disposed to
tot him enjoy bis remaining opportu
nities to the full."
How grand and noble looked my
lord In crouching Ellen's eyes then!
8trathgate did not seem quite so
pleased with himself as he had been
when be made the unlucky remark.
"Are you ready, gentlemen?" said
Blytbedale, looking from one to tbe
other.
"Ready!" said Strathgate, stepping
lightly forward with upraised sword.
Carrington said nothing, but grimly
came to position.
"My principal desires no saluting,"
aid Parkman, stepping between the
two men.
''Very good, we are satisfied," re
turned Blythedale. "Lieutenant Park
man will give the word 'Engage, and
fter that ye may go at it when ye j
- will."
"BlythedaJe drew his own sword
and stepped near tbe two combatants,
facing each other for aii the world like
Sro tigers waiting to spring at each
other's throats. Parkman also
hipped out his sword and took posi
tion Opposite Blythedale. The doctor
straightened up and peered curiously
at the little group.
Ellen's heart stopped its beating. She
and Deborah lay side by side as close as
they could get staring through the
leaves.
-""parkman looked from one to the
other. Strathgate had a little smile
upon his lips. He bore himself gal
lantly. There was no denying that.
His air was one of Indifference, as If
he were slightly bored by the proceed
ing, although his eyes were shining.
Carrington, on the contrary, was very
pale. His lips were compressed, his
brow wrinkled. He looked the per
sonification of determination and in his
yjs, too. was a light.
The two men stood up, each with his
ftword turned downward, the point
Testing en his right foot, which was
lightly advanced and at right angles
to the left foot Each man had bis
left band behind his back.
"Parkman drew a long breath and
"cried sharply:
"Engage!"
On the instant two flashes of light
aplit the air. The next moment there
was a sharp ring of steel, and the men
stood facing each other with knees
bent, right arms extended, left arms
lifted high and the two blades press
ing like stone walls.
"Pray now. Debbie," whispered
Ellen, "as you never prayed before!"
This time neither woman hid her
face. The prayers were all in the
heart. Save for that ejaculation not a
lip moved between them. They stared
as the bird charmed by the snake
stares at his tormentor.
Carrington was a stronger man than
Strathgate. He had lived in the gay
world at times, as the other had, but
there had been long periods on the
sea. He had gained a power of wrist
that the other trembled to feel as tbe
blade pressed heavily against his own.
But battles with swords are not neces
sarily gained by strength of arm. The
victory is not always to the strong,
sometimes it goes to tbe swift.
With incredible quickness Strath
gate engaged his point and lunged
desperately forward. Carrington par
rled with all the swiftness of which
be was capable, and just managed to
ward the blow. The blade of bis ad-.
Tersary's sword ripped throgh the side
of his shirt, but no blood followed the
thrust. He had escaped unharmed.
Strathgate smiled.
"The next time!" he said softly to
bimself under his breath.
The next instant he warded easily
a furious return attack by Carring
ton, and thereafter for perhaps a min
ute there followed a succession of
thrusts and rarries with marvelous
rapidity.
Ellen knew something about sword
play. She was no mean fencer her
self, and she saw with an anguished
heart that Lord Strathgate was forc
ing the attack, and that her husband
had all he could possibly do to keep
frcm being spitted upon his adver
sary's nimble sword. Rumor had not
exaggerated Strathgate's wonderful
mastery. His blade was like a lam
bent flame and played like lightning
about her husband's, weapon. Des
perate as was the task, however, Car
rington just managed to avoid theso
deadly thrusts. His shirt had been
cut In half a dozen places, and a thin
splotch of blood showed where one cf
the thrusts hvd grazed the skin, but
he was practically' scatheless.
He confined himself after that first
return to defense, not from choice,
but because therj was nothing c'se to
do. Strathgate rested l.lni u:i:n?r
cifully and gave him no opportunity
whatsoever for a return. It was
thrust, thrust, thrust! with the rapid
ity of thought Itself. Indeed, so fierce,
e? sustained, so desperate was Strath
gate's attack that the perspiration
beaded upen his forehead, bis breath
came qnicr.
Ellen, who had eyes for everything,
noted it, so, too, did Carrington. As
for my lord, be bad stood to it like
tbe man and sailor that he was. He
bad not given ground one instant, and
although in the excitement of the con
test Strathgate bad pressed him hard
er and approached much nearer, my
lord bad stood as if be were rooted to
the spot. It . was a magnificent ex
ample of determination coupled with
a high degree of skill, for no mean
fencer could have stood at swords'
points with Strathgate without having
been thrust through a dozen times, un
less his skill had nearly matched tbe
other's or equaled it.
The two men approached so close
ly that further fencing became Im
possible. With a swift movement
Strathgate forced aside Carrington's
sword and sprang back out of reach.
He dropped his sword for a moment
and stood panting slightly.
Carrington spoke now.
"Has my lord exhausted his attack?"
be said softly.
Strathgate's answer was a resump
tion of bis guard and another hard
and direct lunge for his enemy's heart.
Carrington smiled as he parried. He
bad been In some doubt as to his abil
ity to sustain Strathgate's attack. He
was no stranger to the field of honor,
but he had never faced a sword so im
bued with venomous life as that that
slivered along his blade this morning.
Yet he imagined that Strathgate had
done his best. He had shot his bolt
He could do no better than he bad
done, and there began to come into
Carrington's mind a sense of mastery.
Again he met Strathgate's furious at
tack. This time it seemed to Car
rington that the onslaught was less
rapid and less dangerous. Probably
this was a misapprehension and the
fact that Carrington parried the vi
cious thrusts more easily may have
been due to a growing sense of famil
iarity with Strathgate's method.
Btu Strathgate was not yet spent.
There were certain dangerous thrusts
he knew of, dangerous In that Un
exposed the one who used them o a
counter-attack, and dangerous from
their unexpectedness to one against
whom they were made; consequently,
Strathgate was usually doubtful about
employing them, but Carrington had
confined his attention simply to parry
ing, save the first thrust, and Strath
gate, thinking rapidly, determined that
it would be safe to employ this un
usual stroke. After a marvelous
burst of speed in which he seemed to
have regained all his power, he sud
denly dropped almost upon one knee,
leaving his body uncovered, and thrust
terrifically upward.
If Carrington had been returning
stroke for stroke, that moment had
been Strathgate's last. As it was, the
parry was rather slowly executed and
Strathgate's point got fairly home in
Carrington's side. It was not a thrust
through the body, nor was it a graze.
It was betwixt the two.
Strathgate sprang violently back
ward as Carrington made an Ineffec
tive reply wtih his weapon.
The two faced each other once more.
"Stop, gentlemen." cried Blythedale
and Parkman In one moment, inter
vening between the two.
"Nevlnson!" called out Parkman.
The surgeon came bounding for
ward. "Tis naught," cried Carrington,
waving them aside. "See!"
"Only a flesh wound," said Nevin
son, examining it quickly.
"Back, gentlemen, you are giving
Lord Strathgate a breathing space."
"I am of the opinion that enough
has been done," began Blythedale,
"for honor "
"Not while one of us lives," an
swered Carrington.
"My lord speaks for me," cried
Strathgate; "away, gentlemen!"
And once more the two men fell on
guard.
Why Ellen had not fainted at that
moment she could not tell. The world
swam before her vision, but by an ef
fort she commanded herself. The bat
tle was not over, and she must see
it until the end. She had confidence
yet. My lord's wound was not a se
rious one and certainly now Strath
gate had shot the bolt.
But no, Strathgate attacked as furi
ously as ever, but this time my lord's
tactics were different. As if the sight
of his own blood had maddened him,
he was not content to parry, but he
himself assumed the offensive. Like
diamonds the points of the blades
sparkled in circles of light. The ring
of steel on steel and the grating as one
blade fell upon another blade was con
tinuous. It was bewildering to Ellen, be
wildering to everyone except the two
men. Blythedale and Parkham stood
staring a3 if their eyes would be
strained from their heads. Their
breaths came shorter and shorter.
Even the cool, phlegmatic doctor came
forward and stood "gazing. Ellen and
Deborah had long since passed the
stage of expression. They lay scarce
ly breathins, their eye3 following as
they ' could every movement of the
straining men, of the flashing sword,
There was no advantage for either
of the combatants yet, save that
thrust of Strathgate's, that is. no out
ward advantage; .but Strathgate v.a3
beginning to pay. the penalty ol his
life and of his desperate endeavors in
the commencement of the attack. His
breath came shorter, the sweat stood
thick upon his brow. Carringtcn grew
cooler after the first flush of passion
consequent upon his slight wound. His
strength grew greater. . He pressed
Strathgate harder. But tbe earl was
not yet done. Nerving himself, sum
moning all his resolution to his aid,
in a series of brilliant onslaughts he
sought to bring to a sudden end an af
fair for which, if it should be much
more prolonged, he knew his strength
would be unequal.
But Carrington met him with a
wrist of steel and a blade quicker than
tbe light itself. How it was done,
no one could see, but after a series of
rapid thrusts- and disengagements, the
spectators saw Strathgate suddenly
throw up bis arms. His blade fell
wavering to tbe ground. Those who
stared saw two feet of bloody steel
thrusting out from his back. Carring
ton had seized an opportunity and bad
lunged with such force and power and
directness that the quillons of tbe hilt
of his rapier had actually struck tbe
breast of Strathgate as he ran him
through the right shoulder over bis
guard. The thrust just grazed the
lung. Carrington strove to withdraw
his weapon, succeeded partially, when
Strathgate collapsed . uttterly and
crashed to the ground, snapping off
the projecting end of tbe blade behind
bis back as he fell upon it.
He strove horribly for- a moment to
rise and then settled back biting his
Hps to stifle a groan of agony. Car
rington stood over him with hand up
raised. Which bad the whiter face
It would be hard to say.
"Strathgate!" cried my lord, bend
ing over him.
"Carrington," murmured Strathgate
fn bis agony, fairly wrenching the
words from his lips, "you're a damned
fool. Tbe woman loves you not
me!"
He stopped.
By this time Blythedale and the doc
tor were by Strathgate's side. Park
man also woke to action. He ran
to Carrington's side -and drew him
back.
"A damned fool!" cried my lord,
hoarsely, "ay, that I've been."
Parkman 6aid nothing. He fetched
Carrington's coat, waistcoat, sword
and shoes and assisted him to put
them on.
"We had best go now, Bernard," he
said when Carrington was clothed.
"Find out how he is yonder before
we leave," said Carrington, looking
toward the group busied about poor
Strathgate.
Presently Parkman came back with
hews.
"He's desperately hurt. Your blade,
just grazed tbe lung."
"Will he pull through?"
"Nevlnson doesn't know. He hopes
so. God! it was a terrible thrust. I
thought he had you at first. I never
saw such play, but, man, you were his
master."
"I was his master because he was a
villain," answered my Lord Carring
ton. "He nearly had me undone at
first, but I knew he couldn't go the
pace, and a clean life and an honest
heart wore him down at last; and yet
I don't know which is much tbe werse,
the damned scoundrel or the damned
fool! I hope he'll live. Somehow,
when I saw him there helpless on the
grass, my sword through his breast,
a good deal of the enmity went out of
me. If I could get my wife now, I'd
be satisfied. A damned fool!' my lord
laughed nervously as he turned away.
Yes; if he could have gotten his
wife then, he wdMd have been satis
fied, and his wife would have been
satisfied, too. But Ellen lay in the
bushes in a dead faint Tbe relief of
the denouement had been too much
for her. And there was horror at the
picture of Strathgate, blood spurting
about the blade of the sword where it
entered and where it left his body,
reeling, his hands in the air, white
faced, desperate, crashing down at her
husband's feet
Debbie, in a like state of collapse,
but not quite insensible, not knowing
what to do, not daring to do what she
knew, if 6ue had known.
CHAPTER XX.
My Lord Is Arretted.
But Lord Carrington was not to go
very far In his present path, for two
carriages which had galloped rapidly
across the park toward the one which
bad brought him thither stopped sud
denly before Carrington and Parkman.
The door was thrown open- and Sir
Charles Seton and a naval officer in
full uniform alighted from the first
From a second a sergeant and four
marines, completely armed, descended
to the sward.
.The marines instantly fell in ranks
and stood at attention. The naval of
ficer looked back toward them. The
"On These," Answered McLear.
sergeant saluted and declared bim
self ready for tho business on which
he had come. Seton had taken a step
toward his friend, when the latter, his
pale face suddenly flushing, darted at
him.
"Seton."- he said in a low, fierce
voice, "where's my wife?"
In- the intensity of his passion he
seized Seton by the shoulders and
shook him slightly.
Now, Sir Charles bad come there
with a great pity for Carrington in his
heart and a willingness to forget and
forgive the other's Insults and threats,
but the soldier was as quick tempered
as the 6ailor, and his own face an
swered the ruddy flag in Carrington's
cheek.
"Take your band off me. Lord. Car
rington," be cried, wrenching himself
free and springing backward, his own
hand upon his sword.
"I've bad one man's blood on my
hands this morning," returned my
lord, savagely, "and I don't want to
have another's, but, by heaven, if you
do not instantly declare to me what
you did with my wife, I'll strike you
where you stand!"
"And I swear to you," cried Seton,
whipping out bis blade, "that if you
come near me again I'll run you
through without benefit of clergy."
"Sir Charles Seton," began my lord,"
evidently mastering his feelings with
great difficulty, "little do I care for
your threats, but I must have an an
swer to my question. Lady Carring
ton is known to have boarded that
merchant ship which was overhauled,
I have no doubt by the Britannia.
Knowing our navy as I do, I have no
hesitancy in believing that Lady Car
rington was taken from that ship;
that she was brought back to Ports
mouth on the Britannia, and has been,
or is now, under your care. Where is
she?"
"Lord Carrington," returned Sir
Charles, standing upon a punctilio, "I
recognize no right In you to question
me and I decline to give you any reply
in your present condition."
"Will you reply to my sword's
point?" exclaimed my lord, passion
ately. "With pleasure," said Sir Charles,
proudly, "but perhaps I may. say this
much. I don't know where your wife
Is, or Mistress Slocum, either. I wish
to God I did. She isn't under my pro
tection as you Insinuate."''
"That's a He!" burst out my lord,
fiercely.
"Good God!" cried Sir Charles, step
ping forward menacingly.
"Charles," said Carrington' with a
sudden change of manner, "you were
once my best friend, for God's sake,
tell me where my wife Is?"
"You've insulted me publicly," cried
Seton, a man of slower temper, but of
quite as hot a disposition, once
aroused, as his former friend. He
recked nothing of my lord's appeal.
He saw only the fearful insult that
had been hurled upon him. "Draw
your weapon!" he exclaimed, extend
ing bis own blade so that the point
almost touched Carrington's breast
My lord suddenly seized Seton's
sword by the blade with his naked
hand, and although the sharp edge bit
Into his palm, with a quick jerk be
tore it from the surprised baronet,
who was naturally not expecting an
act of that kind.
"Tell me, tell me!" he cried. "You
may kill me after that, ot I you if
needs roust be, but where Is my
wife?"
"Bernard, you're beside yourself.'
said Parkman, picking up Sir Charles
sword, "let me apologize to you, Sir
Charles, for my principal."
He bowed gravely and extended the
hilt toward Sir Charles. But Sir
Charles would not be pacified.
"Tell your principal to make ready
at once," be continued, "or I shall
feel justified in cutting him down."
"This can go no further, gentlemen,"
now interposed the naval officer who
had come with Seton.
"And what business Is it of yours,
McLear?" cried my lord, laying his
hand on his sword hilt and quite des
perate at the situation in which he
found himself. "I take It that you
have no interest in this quarrel unless
it is to perform a friend's office for
Sir Charles Seton with whom you
came."
"Have I not?" said McLear, sharply.
"Nay, never menace me with your
blade. Lord Carrington. I'll take
charge of it"
He stepped closer and extended his
hand for my lord's sword.
"And on what grounds, pray?" asked
Carrington in a high voice.
"On these," answered McLear,
equally determined. As he spoke he
hauled out from his pocket a folded
paper.
'Tis an order of arrest from
Admiral Kephard for disobedience of
orders, failure to rejoin your ship,
insulting language to your command
ing officer. Admiral Kephard's sign
and seal, sir." He shook the paper
forth as he spoke. "Now, your sword."
"As a gentleman and I make no
doubt a man of honor yourself. Lieu
tenant McLear," continued Carring
ton, glancing at the single epaulet on
the officer's shoulder, "you will, I am
'persuaded, grant me a few moments
respite In v.hlcn this gentleman and
I may continue our debate."
"What and run the chance of hav
ing to carry bark a dead body to the
admiral? No, sir," returned McLear
peremptorily. "I have orders to bring
you to the Britannia in your proper
person."
"And if I refuse?"
"Sergeant," McLear turned to the
marine, "if Lieutenant Lord Carring
ton does not hand me his sword be
fore I count ten, you will advance your
men and take it from him by force."
"Parkman, will you see this thing?
done?" cried my lord as McLear, who
was a man of great determination, be
gan to cszzzt.
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8
STATEMENT OF THE CONDITION
OF THE
LIVINGSTON LOAN AND BUILDING
ASSOCIATION.
Of riattsmouth, Nebraska, on the.
30th day of June, 1j08.
ASSETSt
Flrwt moi-t crape loans .5.7i Pi
Stock loans 4.7i t-0
Cash 4.5U5 VI
Delinquent interest, premiums, tines
and dues 2ri 03
Other assets. Insurance and taxes paid
and advances tl 9
Feat estate contracts 4..V.6 0
Total $115.3)9 (JO
LIABILITIES:
Capital stock iald up.
Ueserve fund
Dividends declared...
... 1.33 OU
... :.G;i St
Total $M5.f 00.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
for the year ending June 30. l'JOK
RECEIPTS
Balance on hand July 1. VM7 " 25.
Dues - rJ7.4;t v
Interest and tines s.;V7 f7'
Loans repaid 14.i'.t (x
MemlershiD fees 2:.' iI5
Transfer fees 'St
Insurance and taxes h1 and advauced 2tW Xt
Heal estate contracts
Bills payable 7.-W t!
Total.
.ri5 45
EXPENDITURES
Loans &U.4i5 00
Expense and salaries I.iwi 07
Stock redeemed. 14.M0 2
Cash on hand . 4.5 S4
Ileal estate contracts 30 io
Insurance and taxes pd and adv 15 25
Bills payable 7.240 t9
Interest oa bills payable :."7 34
Total .
J2.3u5 45-
Statk of Nkbraska, I
Cass Cousfnr. ( I. Henry K. Gerinsr.
Secretary of the abore named Association, do
sMmnly swear that the foretroln? statement of
the condition of said association, is true and
correct to the best of my knowledge and lelief.
Hinkt K. Gehixq. Secretary.
Approved:
D. B. Smith.
C. A. Makshaci. Directors.
William Holly.
Subscribed and sworn tobefore me, this 1st
SEAL) day of July.
Thom. Walling. Notary Public.
Two Boats Missing at Omaha
Deputy Sheriff Manspeaker received
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It was not said whether the boats had
been stolen or had only drifted away.
Eli is on the look out for the missing
crafts.
Don't
Worry!
Conkcy
Will Cure
Me.
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