The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-10-03

order some breakfast. and tnat spec
lily"
garet," said Lowton, without enthusi-
asm, but her ladyship keeps 10 closer
than ever, and I doubt IL there's any
thing for breakfast but milk and
bread"
The cousins crept softly up to the
little room on the top floor, where their
dismantled beds and the pare floors
gave so much evidence of disuse and
so little promise of hospitality that the
most courageous hearts might have
sunk q little.
we were better off at Bleakmoor.
even with the bailiffs in .attenda4ce,'
said Prue ~piteously.
"Mayhap-but there we were out of
helps way, and here, ii we will-or.
rather il you will-there is succorI at
hand" said the ~undaunted Peggie--
and eve while l speak of rescue,
here comes my ear old Lowton with
food for the starving and sheets and
blankets for the weary. Come, COZ, eat
and sleep, and when you wake you
viii be eadY tor any emergency"
1t was evening before the tired
travellers rose, and, ~ransacking ward
robes and closets for the wherewithal
to replace their soiled and dusty
travelling attire, made themselves pre-
sentable for the inevitable visit of
GSISllOhy W tIelF BFdHULlOlHeI
Quiet as they had been, the old lady
had become aware Of their arrival long
before the faithful Lowton ventured,
In l"ugubrious whispers, to communi-
cate the news.
There is no necessity, my good
Lowton, for you to apologize for my
grandTaughteTs," Lady Drumloch had
word was uttered. No doubt l shall
have to listen to half a dozen different
stories before l get at the true cause
OF this visit, SO you may as we'll a
yourself the trouble of %inventing eX-
cuses for you know not what. Let
me know when the travellers rise. and
! will receive them and hear what they
have to say for themselves"
The venerable countess lay, in a huge
four-poster bed, propped high with
pillows scarcely whittier than her
waxen face, upon which still fingered
some of h beauty and all of the in
domitable hauteur Of the belle of half
O. century G Her scant II snowy
locks were concealed under a cap Of
priceless lace and ruffes of the same
fell over her small ivory-white hands.
At the Ceremonious announcement Of
the Viscountess Brooke and the Hon
orable Miss Moffat, she slightly moved
her head on h pillow and turned her
bright, dark eyes from one to the
other.
ITO what do l w the honor of this
visit, my lady viscountess? she in
CURED dryly.
Partly. Leaf grandmother. to our
anxiety about your ladyship's health"
said Prudence, sweeping so deep a
curteSy that she seemed to be falling
on her knees, and party because a
whole long year in the wilds of York
shire hath made US homesick."
"A whole long year in your brother
inlaw's house, gaming, dancing and
unless l am mIsinformed-play acting
and fox hunting, has still left you with
an appetite for the follies of the
court, 1 doubt not" Lady Drumloch.
Does your ladyship return to York
shire today, or tomorrow? l under
stand that you Travelled without escort
or baggage and by the public con-
Veyance!"
DO not be angry with us, dear
grandmother" pleaded Prue, her bright
eyes filling with tears (the mink al
ways had a supply at her command).
You do not van us to go pack to-
morrow, do you? Are you not a little
tired of the excellent LoWton's con-
~versation, and do you not weary for
your little Prue to e you Mr..
| Pope's latest poem and Mr.. SteeIs new
play? and make you die of laughing
over her adventures with the York
shire squires?"
And not only the squires," put in
Peggie, who had been standing rather
in the background. eagerly awaiting a
chance to bring herself into notice.
"Prue has had adventures with gal
lants more romantic than Yorkshire
squires!"
"Ah! is that Margaret Moffat ?" cried
the old lady. TITS sure where Pru-
dence is, her shadow Canno be far
away! And, pray, what have your ad-
ventures been? Have not even bump
| kin squires fallen to your charms
| Surely Prudence has not carried of
| all the honOrs there as we'll as here ?"
This was a hard thrust, for Peggie
was as plain as her cousin was fair,
and had entered her fourth decade
without one serious assault upon her
maiden heart. Devoted to Prue, she
was too loyal to think that this was
partly the fault of the youthful
widows al~l-devouring ~coquetry, but
| she was very human, and it wounded
her to be forced into acknowledging
the contrast.
"Alack, Peggie made short work OF
their hearts," cried Prue, coming to the
rescue. II only turned their heads,
IT'S strange how foolish men will al
ways be about a widow"
Foolish enough to marry one widow
after being Tilted by another" &C
quiesced the grandmother, dryly. 81
hear they erstwEile lover, Lord Beach
combe, has married the Widow CurZon,
| The bakers daughter hath a second
chance of wearing strawberry leaves"
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