The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-12-05
1911, The Bobbs- Merrill Company

is not dead-he has beer pardoned
and is out of prison. OH! my poor,
dear Prue, TO think you were all night
breaking YOU heart for nothing
Hush, hush, Peggie!" Prue was
scarlet to the roots of her hair and
with both her hands over Peggie's
mouth, tried to stife her voice.
Mercy" shrieked Peggie, suddenly
discovering Robin. How did you get
here? What did you come for?"
For no evil purpose, my good Mis-
tress Peggie," he replied good humor-
edly. Il came as any other visitor and
requested a few words in private with
Lady Prudence Brooke. By good for
tune, l found her here alone, and will
now proceed to disclose the object of
my visit, which is simply to ask her
70 take charge of this small packet
for me, until | send a messenger for it.
Inc packet was a compact one, about
lne size OF an ordinary letter, and
scarcely thicker, carefully stitched in a
piece of white silk, and secured by a
seal without any device.
Robin held it out to Prue, but she
no movement to take 1t.
on, don't be afraid that 1 would
ASK you to do anything dangerous" he
myself, 1 would not dare to trouble
you, but this is a sacred trust, which
l hold far above my life, and lie 1 We're
rearrested, which Is quite possible, I
might not be able to rid myself of it
IN time to prevent a great disaster. 1t
was Tor this reason that I took the UNI
Vlscountess Brooke. This packet con-
Germs the life and fortune of many
friends of hers, but no one would think
OF okln for it in the keeping of the
Duehess of Marlborough's favorite."
FRIENDS OF mine%' she exclaimed.
nic~reoulously who are your
"A poor soldier of fortune" he re-
pied, bowling low as though introduce
ing himself. who has for a moment
crossed your path and in a few days
VIII return to his natural obscurity and
trouble. Ali he asks is forgiveness for
having SO signally failed in keeping his
part Of the marriage contract"
thoroughly abashed, though not less
angry than before. II should.
De the n to ask pardon for forcing
a marriage upon you which must be
very irksome now; for, sure, you must
De even more embarrassed to find your
seif saddled with a wife than / with a
husband. Yet, believe me, L am not SO
pad as l seem. Peggie knows I did
not wish you harm. but OH! L wish I
mad never seen you. Why did you at
eack US on Bleakmoor, and why, OH!
why did Q let yourself be caught and
PNN - pAASoAIDS oT 1SOIIrey, OF all
men! Even the devil could not have
put such an idea in my head. about a
hlghwaylnan l had never seen or heard
Of" "a
Poor Robin turned so pale while
prue poured out these lamentations
tnat reggie took compassion on him.
Out upon you, cousin, for a railing
shrew! If you must needs blame
somebody, let it be me. for If I had not
you to run away from York
snlre, captain Freemantle would not
nave klssed-I mean waylaid you-and
II l a refused to carry your message
to Newgate, he would have been spared
a scolding wife, and God he knows. his
state would have been the more gra-
clous-lf | had not nodded in things
l had better have left alone"
Well, Peggie, 1 forgive you; and
you TOO, Sir ~Highwayman. The only
person i cannot pardon is Prudence
Brooke, who never looks the length of
her nose before she jumps over a preci-
plce," said Prue. give me your pack
Ct, she held out her hand without
raising her eyes, "and tell me how /
can serve you; but do not trust me
TOO Tar, you can see for yourself what
an empty-headed little fool / am"
II you knew how you hurt me by
blaming yourself, Q would refrain
said Robin, in a low voice. .Belieye
me, death would be welcome, If 1T WoIIld
make you as kind to me again as you
We're when l was condemned 10, die
But a higher law than mans law for
blds us to take u own life or ever
throW it away recklessly; yet do not
despair, the outlaw walks blindfold
through a worldful Of ex~ecutioners."
gu wrong me in speaking as
though as though 1 were one OF
them, she replied, with a touch of dis
dam. What do you wish me to dc
4 with YOUR Dackat 2s
To keep it safely until my messen-
ger calls for it, and to be alone when
you ! 1T to him. He will carry nc
credentials, Robin added, and will
merely inquire if you have anythins
Tor the captain. You can surrender
your charge to him without fear. Ac.
cept my profoundest thanks for this
n my humblest apologies fol
ladies'
Once more he bowed ceremoniousl.