Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-12-13
Copyright. 1911. The BobbsM Merrill Company

manly frankness of his strong, swarthy
attractive than mere beau
~ to a woman so essentially feminine
as Prudence. She was not afraid of
him now, but. she was extremely angry
with fate, and at the moment he rep
resented fate in IT'S most memorable
form. SO she wanted to be very angry
with him. Yet h could not reproach
him, for the harder she struck at him,
the more b would wound her own
pride.
1T IS all 90 terrible" she said. sigh
open and Peggie darted in with the
News sheet in her hand.
"Prue, Pyue,' she cried, Ringing her
arms around her cousin without OBJ
serving that h was not alone. He
is not dcad-he has been pardoned
and Is out Of prison. Oil my poor,
dear Prue, to think you We're all night
Hush. hush. Peggie!" Prue was
with both her hands over Peggie's
mouth, tried to stinc her voice.
"Mercy!" shrieked Peggie, suddenly
discovering Robin. How did you get
here? What did you come for?"
For no evil purpose. my good Mis-
tress peggie." he replied good humor-
eddy. II came as any other visitor and
requested a few words in private with
Lady Prudence Brooke. BY good for
tune, 1 found her here alone. and will
now proceed TO disclose the object of
my visit. which Is simply to ask her
to take charge OF this small a ct
for me, until l send a messenger for it.
The packet was q compact one. about
the size OF an ordinary letter, and
scarcely thicker, carefully stitched in a
piece OF white silk. and secured by a
seal without any device.
Robin held it out to Prue. but she
made no movement to take it.
ON. don't be afraid that I would
ask you to do anything dangerous" he
Went on earnestly. IF it concerned
myself. l would not dare to trouble
you. but this is a sacred trust, which
l mold far above my life. and IL l were
rearrested. which Ia quite possible, I
might not be to rid myself of it
IN time TO prevent a great disaster. 1t
was for this reason that 1 took the UNI
~Warranable liberty OF calling upon the
Brooke. This packet con-
Germs the life and fortune OF many
friends of hers, but no one would think
of looking for it in the keeping of the
of Marlborough's favorite."
Friends of mine?" she exclaimed.
incredulously. Then who are you"
a poor soldier OF fortune he re-
Piled, bowling low as though introduce
lns himself, who has for a moment
JOA@ PdSl III III d lew OaYS
VIII return to his natural obscurity and
rouDle. All he asks is forgiveness for
having so signally failed in keeping his
part of the marriage contract"
~ Is not that" h interrupted,
thoroughly abashed. though not less
than before. Il should. perhaps.
be The n to ask pardon for forcing
a marriage upon you which must he
very irksome now; for. sure, you must
De even more embarrassed to find YOUR
SELF addle with a wife than 1 with q
Yet, believ me, I am not so
bad as 1 seem. Peggie knows I did
rot wish o harm. but Oh! l wish I
tack us on Bleakmoor, and why. obi
why did you let yourself be caught and
put In prison-by Sir Godfrey. of all
men! Even the devil could not have
put such an idea in my head, about a
h~lghwayman l had never seen or heard
Poor Robin turned SO pale while
prue poured out these lamentations.
That Peggie took compassion on him.
Out upon you, cousin, for a railing
shrew! If you must needs blame
somebody, let it be me. for If I had not
you to run away from York
snlre. Captain Freemantle would not
nave kissed-I mean waylaid ou-an
II J! had refused to carry your message
10 Newgate. he would have been spared
a scolding wife. and God he knows. his
state would have been the more gra-
clous-if l had not meddled in things
! mad better have left alone"
Well. Peggie, I forgive you: and
you too. Sir Highwayman. The only
person l cannot pardon 10 Prudence
Brooke. h new looks the length Of
her nose before she jumps over a preci-
pice," said Prue. GIVE me your pack
ct. she held out her hand without
raising her eyes. 'and tell me how I
can serve you: but do not trust me
an empty headed little fool I am"
III @ knew how you hurt me by
olaming yourself. you would refrain"
sald Robin. In q low voice. believe
me, deatn would be welcome. II 1t would
make you az kind to me again as you
w Ret . when I wa condemned to die.
gu q higher law than mans law for
DIds US to take our own life or even
throw 1t away recklessly: yet do not
despair. the outlaw walks blindfold
9 e worldful Of executioners."
aou wrong me in speaking as
thou q though I n OF
tnem.' she replied. with q touch OF dis
dain. What do you wish me to do
with your packet? ?"
To keep It safely until my messen-
Ger calls for 1t. and to be alone when
YOU give 1t to him. He will carry no
Robin added. and win
merely inquire II you have anythine
Tor the captain. You can surrender
your charge to him without fear. Ac-
cept my profoundest thanks for this
tavor. q my humblest apologies for
naving tntruded 20 long. Farewell
Once more he bowed ceremoniousl,
and was gone.
CHAPTER KIN
THE PRICE OF A BRTHRIcHr.