The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-12-26
CHAPTER x1v-(continued.)

Humanity" echoed the baronet, with
III dissembled irritation. Such angelic
sentiments well become the crue
bleeding hearts. But has my dear
Prudence no pity to spare for the un-
happy swain, condemned to worse than
death by Robin, the highwayman's I'M
expected good luck?"
O the contrary" laughed Prue,
"she congratulates you on your escape;
believe me, a far greater piece Of luck
than Robins"
do not Jest, dear one, I implore
you" said Sir Godfrey seriously. You
ton this miscarriage Of justice has
placed you in. Let me lay before you
the consequences
Pray, do not interrupted Prue. pet
tishly. IF I am resigned to the will
Of heaven, why persecute me with rea-
SOM for rebellion 2"
Sir Godfrey, with his hand upon his
heart, bowed to the ground.
Before uch piety. I am dumb" he
said. us it permitted to ask If you are
to the means you took to rid yourself
Of them?"
ut is not" replied Prue. with over
towering dignity. THAT is my private
affair and I do not care to discuss IT,
even with Sir Godfrey Beaudesert. By
the way" o1T I0OllISy -Wlll dl Gil
: tire change OF tone and manner-'you
always know the latest news; do tell
us why Mrs. Tewkesbury has gone
home to her father, and whether her
husband is going to fight q duel or will
merely horsewhip her hairdresser?"
The conversation drifted into safer
channels, and Prue was soon her own
bright, frivolous, enchanting self. 9th
or guests dropped in; fashion, scandal,
and the duchess masquerade were dis
cussed. and Prue had a saucy answer
for every compliment and a ready laugh
for every Jest, and beneath her dainty
bodice such a tumult of fear and shame
and sharp sense of defeat, and withal
such strange, swift stabs Of something
that was not pain. and yet hurt her
more h all the other emotions that
~Qutckened her pulse and sent the blood
surgtng through her brain.
1t was late in the afternoon, and
Prue's guests were making their adieux
When Robins messenger came-a rus
tic looking youth with a ruddy COM
plexion and a shock of tow colored
hair. He was dressed like the footboy
OF a prosperous tradesman, and carried
an oilskin covered basket-and of q
surety bore no resemblance to the
crippled beggar who had followed Rob-
in co persistently on his way to the
conference in Lincoln's nm.
Yet it was the same man.
With an air OF dense stupidity, he
evaded such questions as James
deigned to put to him, and reiterated
his petition for a personal interview
with Lady Prudence Brooke, for whom
he a a message that was to be de-
nvered to her, and to her alone. James,
scenting a discreet but persistent dun,
babe him wait in the library, and on
veyed his request to Prue with the
same air Of respectful coincidence with
which he would have any
other calamity. Although he disap-
proved Of her youth and frivolity,
James would have yielded to none in
admiration Of his beautiful young mis-
tress, when he had carried In his arms
as q baby and consptred with every
other member Of Lady Drumloch's
household to indulge. spoil and flatter
had opened on a world full of her
adorers.
"A young man is waiting below, my
Ia q n,,,1 ne mas a message for you which
were engaged, but he said he would
wait until o were at leisure"
What sort Of a u man, James ?
Does he look as If he came for money 2"
Prue asked. You know most of my
duns better than I do"
He Is a stranger TO me, my lady. but
1t is likely he may be a lawyers clerk
In Disguise"
Il will see him. James; bring him
up here" she Interrupted.
1He HdlTureSSer is here; Shall i tell
him to waltz" inquired James.
NO; send him upstairs. Peggie, go
and have your hair dressed first, and
by that time I will be ready"
She was alone when the young man
was shown in. You want to see me"
she said, as soon as the door was shut.
You come to fetch something, do you
not?"
The captain told me" he began.
then stopped n stared mutely at her.
Well, what did the captain tell your"
she demanded, impatiently.
He told me I should see the most
beautiful lady in the whole world. and
that l should know her for the Lady
prudence Brooke, without asking her
name" said the lad.
Your captain is a fool!" cried Prue.
But try as hard as she might to look
indignant. she blushed divinely and a
furtive smile played hide and seek
among her dimples. OF all Prue's many
charms there was none to equal her
smile. 1t was, perhaps, on that ac-
count that she smiled often and so
maintained a reputation for good ma
ture that iured many an u~nsuspecting
victim into disaster.
That he Isl" cried the messenger,
heartily. For he said he'd done this
beautiful lady a great injury, but for
all that he would trust his life-and
more than that-in her hands. Can
IN maj be a worse fool thar to trust
a woman SO far as that?"
Said he that, In very TRUTH asked