The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-12-26

stately figure, picturesquely draped in
q yoluKnlnous red domino. had nothing
about II to attract attention, and a red
mask with a deep fall of gold-lace
concealed b entire face, except the
firm mouth and strong, square chin.
What made you come here, OF all
places In the world?" she asked.
Chiefly to see you, but partly be-
cause I had business hers" he an
Poor Prue thought q the bank
business could a highwayman have at
q ball unless to rob the guests while
pretending to be one OF them? Just
then Peggie drew her attention by pull
ing at the cord.
"For heavens sake" she whispered,
come out of this crowd. l am 80
hot. muffled In this sheepskin. I shall
die IL I don't get to the air"
Prlle signed to Robin to follow, and
led her lambkin away. Outside the
ballroom, they were soon In compare
tive solitude. In the card-rooms a
few elderly people had thrown off their
masks and given themselves over to
the fun enjoyment OF whist and ecarte.
Here n there q t~ete-a-tete was pro-
crossing behind the kindly shelter OF
albums or portfolios. In the library q
sedate couple unused side by side over
the latest number OF the Spectator,
upside down, while two or three portly, :
be-starred and be-ribboned fogies dis
Icussed the threatened Jacobite upris-
Ing over an exclusive bottle of Bur-
gundy.
Prue was at home in every corne.
or Marlborough house, and had no diff
iculty In plotting her companions into
a COO, dim-lighted conservatory,
where the sound OF voices and music
reached the ear ~agreeably softened by
distance,
Every zone has seen me- said
Peggie; "Ili get rid OF this sheepskin,
and then ! can dance"
Peggie would rather dance than eat,
sleep or go to church. remarked Prue.
seating herself and making q little.
Misunderstanding, half-inyiting move
ment toward the seat beside her.
Robin was not slow in avaiiing him
opportunity. There was something In
Prue's manner that allured him, while
1t kept him at a distance. He longed to
take her In his arms as he had done
once; yet he dared not touch her hand.
II am glad to have an opportunity
or speaking to you" she said, removing
her mask. You sent me something to-
day"
"Yes-ohl you don't know how hap
py you have made me by wearing
them" he said earnestly.
As! yes" she started and looked
down at the gloves; they are beautiful
just the very thing for my dress,
too. But that was not what I meant"
A deep flush burned his face under
the mask. II beg and implore you not
to speak Of anything else 1 sent" he
said, In a low, tremulous voice. Let
me deceive myself into the belief that
you acknowledging, at least, as my
rightful privilege"
She raised her lovely ayes to his
with a puzzled expression, then dropped
them, a little embarrassed. We win
not discuss that" she said, but unfor-
tunatelyI can not avoid speaking about
the money, because-you see, / can not
help knowing that you-that perhaps
that perhaps 1t honestly belongs to
somebody else and you have no right
to give 1t to me. -herel" She looked
apprehensively at him, fearing an out
burst Of rage. but he was quite calm,
andthe mask concealed any change OF
countenance.
rYou are very scrupuious." he said
scoIdly. 81. = h
"ohi I know you had no reason to-
expect honesty from mel" she ex-
claimed, with a touch Of temper in her
voice. But when you threw your
purse to me in the carriage, I had no
opportunity OF returning IT and l never
expected to see you again. Besides, you
took mine and-and-" She glanced at
Him out Of the tail Of her eve, but he
did not acceptthe challenge. 'sYouthink,
perhaps" she went on. quite angrily
now, that / have done O. much worse
thing for money than ever you did; but
IL / have married a robber-" p
"Stop, stopl" he said authoritatively.
IF you must say these. things about
yourself, 1t shall not be to me. Insult
me as much as you please, but do not
accuse me OF daring to blame you for
anything you have done, or could do.
Tell me, IL I assure you that that mon
ey Is my very own, will FOL take my
word for it?" @.~ ~
She hesitated and softened. Tell me
truly-in what way your own2 Do not
fear to trust me-
Trust you'll Do you not know that
you could charm any secrets OF my own
from me by a kind word? But this is
no secret; itsis the price of my birth.
right, received in honest sale and barter
over a lawyers table. You will be-
lieve me, won't your"
She put out both her hands, with a
gesture OF enchanting frankness. "I
will believe anything you tell me" she
said; II know you would not deceive
me-" a."
He took the two little iuttering hands
In his, and raised them one after an
other to his lips.
IT see you are not wearing a sling"
she remarked. Us your arm healed?"
1T was nothing; a broken collarbone
il quickly cured" he said carelessly,
though delighted by even so slight a
token OF interest from her. Resides.
the person whose domino I borrowed,
does not wear his arm in a sling, and
/ do not wish any difference to be
remarked when he resumes 1t" t
Then you are here in some one else's
disguise?" she said quickly. What
will you do when we unmask?"
"At midnight the right face viii be
found under this mask" he replied.