Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-10-17

NO n elseo 1t seemed to me that
a dozen. at least. the door was thun-
dered at as though a queens messen-
ger demanded entrance"
In very truth. your ladyship's pene-
tratlon is marvelous!' cried Prue
eagerly. Her majesty most graciously
bade Lady Limerick inquire the latest
news of the dear countess gout-and
also. If my duties at your bedside left
me leisure to attend the court"
And, pray, what answer did you
make?" Lady Drumloch inquired sus-
piciously.
In good faith, l was put to it for ex-
cuses. since l a admitted the favor
cefved the congratulations OF many
anxious friends" returned Prue pa
thetically. 'Iis true l have no heart
for frivolous pleasures while my dear
grandmother is ill-but the court is an
other ~ thing ing and people begin to Won
Well. what is the matter? Why
make excuses at all? 1 am not aware
that l have imposed any restrictions
upon YOU" said the old lady crisply.
lowto has taken very good care of
me for a year., and you may still ven
ture to trust me to her for a few
hours. lis news to me that you should
be so averse to frivolous pleasures
that you need make me an excuse for
giving them up"
1IIOcCOs OedI BIdHQIQOINeT, IL was
no vain excuse-'twas the TRUTH Prue
protested. Yet not the whole truth,
for my baggage is still at Bleaknaoor,
whence we fled in such a hurry that
we brought naught away with us but
what VIC travelled in"
We'll? Are there no milliners and
mantua-makers in London?" inquired
the countess. with an air of surprise.
Several hundred, 1 should think
and every one of them threatening me
with the laws worst penalties for debt.
The wretches! They were eager enough
to fling their wares under my feet when
they believed me rich-or likely to be.
But however a mercer or tailor will
trust me for a gown"
What! Not with the prospect of Il
husband In parliament?" cried her
grandmother. laughing maliciously.
Indeed, no. G%rannie,". sighed Prue
p%fteously; mot unless l pay, at least,
for what I order now"
"They have learned wisdom at last
retorted Lady Drumloch coldly. and
who during -four or five years of widow
hood AVE Tilted half the peerage, made
yourself the byword Of the court, and
now &c in fear Of the debtors prison.
There was no talk of a debtors
prison for me l was Queen Anne's
~favorite lady in waiting" said Prue,
with a touch OF sbu now
they only remember that l was ban
ished from court
And that the rich lovers YOU Tilted
have married other women. While you
are still the Widow Brooke" Lady
Drumloch interrupted.
But they will change their tone
when they find that the queen has for
given me- said Prue. ignoring her
grandmother's last thrust, land now
sage by Lady Limerick-but. alack the
day!-what am 1 saving? How can 1
present myself before her majesty
without a decent gown to my back?
Oh. grandmother" She fell on her
knees and would have clasped the pale,
slender hand that lay on the cover
let. But Lady Drumloch drew back
out of her reach and regarded her with
%resentful eyes.
".Well?" h queried in her driest
You have a plan, no doubt. to accom-
plish what o have set YOU heart
upon"
mo, I have nc plan," cried Prudence
despairingly, but surely you. dear
Prue lose her last Chance Of winnins
back the queens favor, for lack of a
few guineas to buy a gown?" and once
more she tried to get possession OF
the reluctant hand.
But Lady Drumloch pushed her away
with such force. In her anger, that she
almost overturned her on the floor. II
thought I should soon come at the
cause of all your pretty speeches. you
false jade" h shrieked. us 1t not
enough that I give o shelter in the
home you have disgraced with your
reckless follies that I nave to admit
your wanton companions-only Mary
Warburton and Lady Limerick, for
sooth. Do you think I am so deaf as
not to have heard the voices of half
q dozen men and your lear friend,
Il RQfhQr Q CN.QQf{n0 RhQ Vor on6 ircpfWo~
of half the mad frolics that have made
you notorious@but 1 must pay your
debts n give you money, when I'm
so poor l al only afford one woman
to wait on me, and can not go out for
an airing because a carriage is too
one. C'est honteux-c'est infame'-and
the angry old woman who seldom
lapsed into French, except in moments
of great agitation, burst into hysteric
cries and weeping. at which Lowton
hurried in. and the girls, with scared
faces, fed.
'she is much worse than she used
to be-" whispered Peggie. Formerly.
when you asked her for money she
used to tell you to go to the devil and
scold you roundly-but she gave It
after all. And now-I do not think she
will"
III she waits until I ask her. She
certainly never wili," said Prudence
proudly. Tomorrow I will go to old
ACKNOWLEDGMENT I vowed the last time
should be b cry last"
The girls were still lingering upon
the staircase. listening to the soothing
murmurs OF Mrs. Lowton and the out-
cries Of h invalid. gradually sinking
into whimpers. when q loud knocking
announced h arrival Of a visitor Of
Importance, and James presently came
up with 2 petition from Sir Geofrrey