The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-10-17

chanted to provide the one ana the liv-
eryrnan the other" said Aarcns, nave
~.
True, but everyone knows ! was
banished from court. and nothing will
satisfy them that / am In favor again
but 70 see my name In the Court News
account OF the queens leyee. ] cannot
get there without money, and for that
1 look TO you. who have stood my friend
before. Now listen" she went on
quickly, laying her little dimpled hand
on his arm, In her eagerneSs TO I'M
terrupt the impending expcstulation.
II am going to be married-oh, yes, ]
know what you would say-tis not h
first time by several. and ] am still
Widow Brookel This time, however.
you may consider 1t final; within q
month, / wed Sir Geoffrey Beaudesert."
The money lender started. "Str
GeOffrey Beaudesert!" he exclaimed
your creditors, my lady Viscountess,
Will carce be pleased at this hearing.
n may find cause to remind you that
there are lodgings for ladies In the
Fleet and Queens Bench. Sir Geoffrey
lis a member OF parliament and cannot
be arrested for his own debts. let alone
MS wife's."
Arrested Do you mean to suggest
that Sir Geoffrey cannot, or will not.
pay my debts2" she cried, angrily.
HE may be willing: indeed. who
could doubt that n mai would es-
TEEN 1t an honor to pay the debts Of
Lady Prudence Brooke? But that he Is
able, Is quite another matter, and %
may take my word for 1t, that Sir
.Goeffrey B~eaudesert couldn't pay his
own debts, IL every acre he owned was
free, Instead OF mortgaged, lock. stock
and barrel"
"You are maligning a gentleman,
sir!" h exclaimed, losing all control
OF her temper. II will tell him how
you have lied 60 me, and he will have
his servants beat you within an inch
of your lifel Sir Geoffrcy a bankrupt!
his estates mortgagedi--was ever such
IA slander7 He Is a man Of substance,
I tell you. l have visited him In. his
ancestral domain. where he entertained
me royalty. He is lord OF h manor,
and has the retinue Of a duke-no man
In Yorkshire Is more highly respected
rho is NTH. and might be Sheriff
bof his Riding an he chosei" She be-
gan TO subside a little, though still
angry. aud looking. II must bss0wned.
traIscendently lovely In her excite
ment. with cheeks like damhsk roses.
and flashing sapphire eyes. Good Mr..
Aarons, why did you give me such q
5care?s she went On, with q ring OF all
most entreaty in her tone. Tell me
" WV ~ u ~ GA ~ AAA1W
about Sir Geoffrey's estate7 He hath
borrowed OF you. mayhap; who has
net But since he has come into his
~patrisnony-"
4His patrimony, Lady. Prudence? His
father was n Of King James most
devoted followers, and one OF the most
lavish while a guinea could be raised,
70 prove his loyalty. SIR Geoffrey can
not cut a tree In his ancestral domain
and you may be sure there was atbail-
III or two wearing his livery among the
ducal retinue that dazzled your lady
ship"
"Mr. Aarons, you must be mistaken"
she persisted, stubbornlys III his
fortunes are so low, why does he seek
to- join them to those Of a portionless
widow? Sure, there are heiresses a.
plenty who would gladly buy his title
with their dowriesl" w
"OhI your ladyship has but to look
Iin your mirror to answer that question"
cried the usurer, with q low bow and a
look Of open admiration. There are
also men of wealth and substances who
would gladly pay the debts OF Lady
Prudence Brooke and settle such q
fortune upon her as would keep her
busy iu the spending"
mo doubt, no doubt said Lady
Prudence hastily, "but I am betrothed
to Sir Godfrey Beaudesert and these
benevolent persons do not greatly In
Iterest me. Let US quit the subject Of
throwing away. and return to BUSH
yet believe me, Lady Prudence" he
insisted, you viii never wed Sir Geoff-
|rey B~eaudesert."
She rose with great haughtiness. Il
decline to dispute the subject with you.
Mr.. Aarons-" h began.
You will not marry Sir Geoffrey
Beaudesert," he repeated. III you do
way to release himself; tbs his mis-
fortune more than his fault. Mark me.
Lady Prudence, and do not let him
place you IN false posit.on. You
want to be a rich woman as well as q
great lady. You can marry q man who
will give you the finest house In town,
the most splendid establishment, the
more money to spend than you have
ever dreamed of. and who asks moth
ing In return but to see you queen Il
at his expense" f
She smiled a little. ana met his
glance with a most deceptive air of in
nocent curiosity.
And who is the gentleman. Mr..
EAarons? 2" she inquired, In her sweetest
tone, with but the hint Of an emphaA
Can you not guess2" he replied more
boldly.
Faith, I came hither seeking a mon
ey broker and was not prepared to find
a marriage broker insteadi" she said.
Struggling her pretty shoulders. do
not keep me In suspense. good Aarons;
I am dying to know the name OF the
admirable creature who desires to res
cue me from povtrty--ands Sir
Geoffrey--and confer so many benefits
upon my unworthiness,
He placed hts hand upon his breast,
and bowed deeply.
You see him here. fair Lady Pru-
dence,'' he said.
"The humblest Of slaves, the most
ardent OF admirers and, IL you will,
the most devoted and sir-dulgent OF hus-
bands"
She burst into a peal OF laughter
but the faint note OF bitterness thai
perrneated the charming music was
not lost upon the money-lender's sharp
ear.
Truly, Mr.. Aarons, your Jest Is
subtle and we'll conceived. and a fit
ting rebuke to my silly vanity she
began. But he interrupted her. 'sIn
truth, madam, tits no jest, but a ser
lous offer. ! have always admired
your ladyship, and q year ago. endeav-
ored to@give fitting exlsresslon-
A knock on the door interrupted his
flow OF eloquence, and the clerk, from
| without, announced that Sir GoOffrey