The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-11-21
CHAPTER Ix-(continued.)

prudence Win a smile, all Cnat re-
mains is the pleasant ceremony of con-
graduating the bridegroom and salut-
ing the bride, and hen we had better
be going"
Prue was standing a little apart
with eyes n a certain trou-
Bile in her pensive face. that almost
foretokened tears. She drew back 9
step at Sir Goeffrey's words, and put
up her hand, palm outward.
Let us have no more mockery,'' she
said coldly. WE ave made ourselves
quite contemplate enough, without fur
ther ~DuffOonery. So far from congrat-
uiating the Bridegroom. we should do
better to apologize to him." She
stamped her foot slightly but posi-
lively, as he seemed disposed to persist
A to the bride, sir, for C she is
In no humor for folly. Be kind enough
10 take my cousin out and find a chair
for her; then you can return and see
me to my carriage"
And leave you here?" he exclaimed.
Where else would you leave me?'
she retorted, ir a jeering tone. Are
you afraid to leave me with my hus-
baqd2"
Sir Godfrey would still have fingered
to demonstrate, but Peggie, whose
ready sympathy OWNED her cousins
motive, placed her hand within his arm,
and drawing her veil closely over her
face, announced herself ready for de-
parture.
The gentleman is not my husband
she remarked demurely. TT would
scarcely be proper to leave me alone
with him, and you cannot escort us
both at once"
But when they were alone, the words
of extenuation Prue intended to speak
seemed hard of utterance. There was
a little lump in her throat, and she
n-rl Tvs 80 c--L
OF excuse that seemed to fit the occa-
sion. Robin gazed at her as though
he wished to fill his whole soul with
her image. Yet, although they We're
scarcely 20 inches apart, he made nc
attepmt to touch her.
fMorituri tie salutant," he said, with
q curious mingling of irony and tender
ness in his voice. Accept the bless
ing of a dying man"
oh! poor soul-must thou really
die? signed Prue, at last raising her
eyes. filled with tears.
At the sight of those sweet, dews
eyes, the newly made husband thrilled
IN every nerve. IF those tears are for
me, sweet Prudence" he said, death
is not SO hard to bear"
It's sand; indeed, I would I could
do aught TO comfort thee!" she muir
INJURED, half turned away, yet lingering.
a Clark flush swept his cheek. 81 could
lSaA yoo, II l GdISGy HOW 10 make me
forget everything but-yourself," he
said.
IF you dared!" She flashed an arch
glance al him. ION B%leakmoor, YOU
We're not $3.50 ceresnonious, Sir High
waytnan, Ask me for what you please.
NY powers are limited, but i will glad
ly do What l can to console you"
Al thou wouldst really comfort me,
kiss me once, as though / We're thy
real husband and thou lowest me-" He
held out his arms to her, with such
prayer and such i%nsistence in his. eyes,
that Prue, startled, hung back an in
slant, and then, half i~nvoluntarily,
self to be clasped in his passionate en-
brace.
When she drew herself away, her
cheeks We're rosy read and her Eyes
cast down. But Robin, transferring his
lips to her hand, fell on his knees be-
fore her.
"Ohl" he softly uttered, II can bear
to die now. Death itself cannot rob me
of your kiss"
your" she said.
Forgive you'll Oh! If you had killed
me, / could have blessed you, but would
not have presumed to think of pardon
he passionataly breathed, land now
Words failed, inc his lips finished the
invocation on her hand.
She placed her other hand gently or
his bowed head, and pressing it back
stopped and kissed him on the fore
head. 1t was as pure and tender q
caress as a mother could have bestowed
on her sleeping babe, but 1t touched
both hearts as the most passionate en-
brace of love could not have done. II
was a farewell benediction.
Not another word was spoken, and
when Sir Godfrey returned, Prue al
lntayad him m Wro hor.4 IN hnx oloor. -
hood n lead her away, without ever
a backward glance at Robin, who, as
soon as the door had closed behind
them, threw himself on the floor where
she had stood. and gave way to an
exstasy of recollection, none the less
delicious because there was no future
to discount its bliss.
When at last he rose to his feet, he
gathered up the manuscript at which
he had worked since daylight, and tore
1t into fragments.
Since my death will beneft her, j
"She has paid for my life In full and
with Interest, and I'll not cheat her Of
her bargain"
He sat down, and on his last remain
Ing sheet Of paper. wrote q short let
ter.
.Trriend steve:
soon ais I am dead and accord
ing to your promise lin which I have
ali ~confidence), buried, as we agreed
together. you win AXE the iron box
you wot OF and convey it to Mistress
Prudence Brooke, to whom / bequeath
1t, to do whatever she will with the
contents. / do not know where this
lady lives. but you can easily discover
her, as h Is OF t~he.court and a lady
of title, being besides OF g beauty SO
Incompatible, that by 1t alone you can
trace her.
s.Do not gricve after me. We mus
all die. and I have ridden so often with
Death ON the pilIion. that we are old
Besides. I have reasons that
you wot not OF 1pr welcoming him a
q ~benefactor to others besides.
Your friend,
Robin Freemantle.Y
He was sealing this missive, when
the cell door opened, and u maj of
grave snd imposing appearance was
ushercd In.
II am Lord Beachccmbe's attorney,