The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-11-14

uFOppe0 Ineir WArilke atr. ana E0Dl0,
who was astounded to recognize Prue
in Sir Geoffrey's companion, seemed
petrified into q statue OF expectancy.
III we can have a few minutes pri-
vacy--f" n suggested. - ~
Sir Godfrey beckoned to tho jailer.
and after a murmured conference, en-
hvened By the clinking OF coin, the
latter consented to see hat they were
uninterrupted for az long as they
wished. y.
While that was being arranged,
Prue approached Robin with a timid
air. Master Robert de Cliffe--or Robin
Freemantle"-she said, II thank you
pray you. forgive nae II It seems
heartless." -. "a ~
Madam / deem myself fortunate, II
my death be- OF any use to YOU he
replied. with q ring Of bitter sadness
In his tone. =
Prue, greatly surprised by the voice,
which had none OF the roughness Of the
robbers greeting on Bieakfnoor, looked
more closely at Robin, and discovered
that he was young, handsome, and by
no means ferocious looking. -,
Il would not nave you feel harshly
toward me-" she said. in a low, thrill
ing voice. 1T is o too late. even
now, for me to withdraw il you deem
me overbold. 81" liz
A spasm Of apprehension shivered
Through him. Had she brought his
dream so near realization only to
snatch 1t from him2 Could a woman.
be go cruel to a dying man2 He met
agonized supplication. Va withdraw
now?" he muttered, unable to voice
the prayer Of his eyes. ""Then why
come at ALTO mock me?"
But RI was quick to read mems
hearts, and what she saw in Robins
translated his few arupt words into q
language that stirred hers to pity.
Therefore, to console him (the taller
having by this time retired), she now
threw off her wraps, and revealed such
q vision of l~ovliness as fairly illuminat-
ed h ,dingy prison cell. His look OF
delighted surprise satisfied her.
I recognize you now, but you are
far, far more beautiful than even my
dreams of you! And have you really
made yourself SO fine to gladden. q
poor prisoners eyes?" said Robin, gag
ing with rapture upon the graceful
figure In its dainty garb Of brocada
and lace, the lovely face, from which
eyes of, the most dazzling brightness
smiled alluringly upon him; the little
hand, go tapering and dimpled stretched
out to him with a gesture, half-en-
treaty and half command. AS. he took
1t in his, she blushed a little remem-
bering how he had behaved the other
time she offered 1t. But this time,
he bent his head and laid a fcourtly and
reverential salute upon 1t.
I'VE have nothing to wait for now
said Sir Godfrey, impatiently ,observ-
ing this little episode. "Parson Good
ridge, have you shown the papers to
this gentleman. to make sure they are
| correct?"
Robin mechanically took up the a
pers the parson had laid on the table,
and read out the names from the mar
rage license. Robert Gregory de
Clfffe" he nodded approval and
glanced further down. 'Prue, widow
of James Stuart Brooke and daughter
Of Reginald, Wynne and Anne Drpm-
loch, his wife," All the titles had been
eliminated. and there was nothing to
show that the bride was not or plebe-
ian origin. Robin smiled slightly: Was
1t worth while to be mysterious with
a man virtually dead?,, He recalled
that Peggie had made" him promise to
keep his marriage with my lady q
secret, blu II was apparent that he was
not to be trusted with more OF the Sc
cret h was absolutely necessary.
1T is, quite correct" he said, laying
the paper down. 'N' " ="
Then let us proceed. to. = business
Master Goodridge, pray do your office
quickly Let us have mo homilies ON
the duties and pleasures of matri-
AAShlB Goh HOOLLASy. lhuBu eu .UldIlC-
iously, "but make the ceremony brief
and-binding. We will not intrude on
your privacy, he added. turning. to
Robin. amy longer than is necessary"
Il am ready" said Robin CURLY.
The ceremony was quickly per-
formed. Robert Gregory and. Prudence
duly accepted each other as man and
wife for all the vicissitudes of their
mortal life, severally vowed love. hon
or and all the rest of. 1t, pledged them
selves by giving and receiving OF q
ring, to share each others worldly
goods n finally received the bless
ing Of the church, borne. on the GIN
Favored breath Of Parson Goodridge.
A short'10 minutes having 4sufficed to
make the Viscount Brooke's widow the
htghwayman, " Robin 81. Freemantle's.
wife, the parson pocketed his dog-eared
book, also a generous fee from the
bridegroom. and took his departure.
.. DO not forget to keep your oyvn
counsel" Sir Godfrey warned him,
This has been q good mornings work
for you, Master Goodrtdge. and there
Is better to come when your testt-
mony is wanted, If the secret be well
kept"
Il shall keep II, never fear; I shall
keep it." mumbled the degraded crea-
ture, already drunk in anticipation OF
the glorious possibilities of q pocket so
unusually well lined. "A secretais the
only thing I have ever learned. to
keep"
And he disappeared, chuckling at his
own wit. -