Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-10-10
Tho Price Of /. Kiss.
p 1.

darkness of the February evening. The
jaded horses, exhausted with dragging
q cunlbrous chariot through h miry
lanes n rugged by-roads OF the
rough moorland. obeyed the command
with promptitude. disresardins the
lash of the postboy and the valiant
oaths of a couple OF serving men In the
rumble.
Keep still. unless you wish me to
o out what you are pleased to con-
slider your brains" said the highway
u My pistols have an awkward
habit of going off OF their own accord
when l am not instantly obeyed-so
don't provoke Them
The position became as still as a.
statue n the fOotmen, under cover
of the selfacting pistols, descended.
grumbling but unresisting. yielded up
their rusty blunderbuss with a trans
parent show of reluctance and with
drew to a respectful distance, while the
highwayman dismounted, opened the
carriage door and throwing the light
of a lantern within. revealed the
shrinking forms OF two women muffled
In cloaks and hoods.
One of them uttered a shriels of ter
rOr when the door was opened and in
coherently besought the highwayman
to spare two lone, defenseless women.
The highwayman hrust his head In
and peered round eagerly, as though In
search of other passengers. Then,
pulling off his SLOUGH brimmed hat, he
revealed a pair of dark eyes that
cleaned fiercely from behind Il mask,
and as much OF a bronzed and wealth
er-beaten face as it left uncovered.
Black hair, loosely gathered In q rib
bon and much disordered by wind and
rain. added considerably to the Wild
ness of his aspect, and the uncertain
light of the lantern hickered upon sew
oral WannnYC h0S3doo fhn rioto1c hA
carried so carelessly.
Il shall not hurt you. madam" he K
claimed ilnpatiently. Your money
and Jewels are all l seek. expected
to find Il very different booty here and
must hasten else where lest l miss it
altogether by this c%onfounded mishap.
So let me advise you to waste neither
my lime nor your OWL breath in use
less lamentations. but hasten to hand
out your purses and diamonds"
w have neither, Mr.. Highway
man" said h other lady in a clear,
musical voice, quite free from tre,nor.
Il am u poo widow without a penny
to take refuge with u relative almost
as poor as myself. This is my COM
panton-alack for her! The wage I
owe her might make her passing rich
II ever 'tWere paid-but it never will
be-"
" puoi WiuoWS tiaVeI IN cOaCn ana
four with serving mon and maids?" de-
manded the highwayman with an in
credulous laugh. Come, ladies, 1
am we'll used to these Do not
put me to the disagreeable necessity Of
setting you down in the mud while 1
search your carriag e and, mayhap, your
fair selves"
The lady threw back her hooded
cloak. revealing a face and form Of
rare beauty, n extended two white
hands and arms, bare to the elbow.
and entirely devoid of ornament. In
one hand h held a little purse
through whose silken meshes glittered
a few pieces of money.
This is all the money I have in the
wide world" she said, in a voice OF
pathetic sweetness. Take It. If you
will. and search for more if you think
It worth while-and IL you find any
thing, prithee, share 1T with met"
But the highwaylnan scarcely heard
her. Through his mask his eyes were
fixed upon her beautiful face with a
devOuring admiration of which she was
quite unconscious. Not that such an
expression would have seemed at all
extraordinary to her, OF otherwise than
the natural tribute OF n masculine
creature to the beauty she valued at
its full worth.
Keep your purse, Madame" he said.
IND HE voice had lose its hardness:
II will take but one thing from you
something you will not miss. but that
Q monarch might prize-a kiss from
those lovely lips
"A kiss, rascal! Do you know what
you ask?" h exclaimed, her sweet
Something / shall not miss. forsooth!
What can"
''Oh! kiss him, Prue; kiss him and
let US be Comet" implored her COM
panion. We shall miss the mall
coach at the cross-roads. and then
what will become OF us?"
The highwayman leaned against the
open carriage door and watched the
struggling emotions fickertng over the
q OF the widow. Anger and disgust
were succeeded by scornful mirth. and
at last. with q gesture OF indescribably
naughty grace, she extended her hand,
palm downward.
my hand. Sir Highwayman,. she
said lofttly. has been deemed not un-
worthy OF royal kissesi"
NY plebeian lips would not venture
where q kings have feasted," wa the
knocking ret0rt. But whoever In fu-
ture may kiss your lips must come AFT
go. sweet one. by your leave" He bent
suddenly over her and kissed her bold
" ON the scarlet blossom Of her mouth.
6he drew back. gasping with anger
ana amusement. How dare your she
almost screamed.
He stood . moment - Il half dased
Dy nus own audacity. then closed the
carriage door and replaced his beaver
on his head.
Good night. ladies'" he cried IA !
tone OF reckless gaiety. "A pleasant
journey to London and . merry tma
at court. n N 'tis all junketlng %
On empty purse. accspt mine IA ~
| AhmnAA Y0R VnNHRm x4--3