The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-11-07
CHAPTER vr1-tcontinaed.)

tM & tEU
Margaret. felt a little natural embar-
Iassfpent--the man was so different
from what she had expected, that the
Mttie plans she had devised on her way
20 the prison, did not fit into the cir
In truth PrueH mean the Lady
Rrudence--is deeply In debt and much
harassed by her creditors, who threat
en- her with the fleet. and / know not
what beside" she blurted out Now,
~ h were your Wife; her debts would
be your debts. and az you, alack, must
die on Monday, no n can make your
widow pay your debtsf'
$50 It's my widow the Lady Prur
Gence desires to be; not my wifeir
Antd Robin with a bitter smile.
..syVhat difference does that maker
cried Margaret, greatly relieved sat
having got over the worst OF her mis-
sion. AN IL you think 90 mucn OF q
kiss, III warrant my lady will not
refuse n to her husband.s
AYE, such a kiss as | shatched from
her on Bleakmoor, with lips denied and
cheek ayerted. Or such q kiss as she
might leave ON the face Of q dead
stranger; as cold as the corpse itself.'
sTwiH be your own fault IL you
set nothing better than that" cried
ReEgie. withsa glance that had some
thing of challenge In II. "On Bleak
~@~EwAs NeNA1 R ahNAlAS q E AA0t 0GCIl
your face; how could she tell You were
not some blackvisaged desperate?
There Is not a. handsome young gal
liant behind everys robbers mask" .
Robin burst u Laughing. Thanks,
g~weetheartl" ;he, cried. 81 trust my
bride -elect has as kind a disposition
as her messenger. Yet what does II
matter to me2 :
" BE she meeker, kinder than
Turtle-doye or pelican;
IL she be- not so to- me, 20
What care / how kind she be?' "
His rich voice filed the squalids cell
with burst Of rollicking melody. "If
j be q very xantippe, I shall not
suffer from her temper" he went on.
And, by the way,I do not yet know
N name OF the lady who has honored
me by the offer OF her hand--in widow
THAT ] cannot tell you, until Il know
your Intentions, !" said Margaret. First.
VIII You marry. her2"' III.
Twin II marry herr Surely, she is
not accustomed to 50 sue in. vain for
mems hearts and hands. They must
kaalennder her feet-as I do--when she
but chances at them. Aye, i will marry
her, though death himself ties the
nliptial knot. rH
THAT is settled, then" Peggie was
Beginning phiiogophically.
Settled, perhaps, al far as l. am
concerned; but what about your lady
win her caprice last out until you
return. think you, or win she be likely
20 stay in the anne mind until to-
lnorrow? IT'S nothing 90 her, mayhap,
90 set a poor prisoners brain afire,
Shnd bid him welcome death because II
brings him five minutes of her com
tpany. l may dream myself her hus-
band for "a few hours, and forget
everything else In the delicious hope
OF seip8 heFaRgain; but what Of her ?
fBy the time you go back to her, she
may have changed her mind. or found
eome less Objectionable way OF paying
her debts" Il
.'Tis like enough" she replied cool
~. you would not be the first she
has served In that fashion. You
unjust take you chance Of that"
"fn take my chance" the prisoner
.oa Ssry Mell. Now. viii you swear
-unlessN AZ be your father-confessor. AZ
your have one"
aThat / VIII willingly swear. II she
AN keep the secret herself. it will be
safe enough siH my grave"
-Now. I have only one more thing
60 ask. You must not be offended, but
r-is Robin Freemantle your true
name2 know you knights Of the
Road do, 4 sometimes; masquerade lin
name as welIas In person, so perhaps
you have another name-not quite SO
--celebrated?" Ut N :
"Ahal my iady wants a respectable
grave 10 bury her debts In" cried
Robin, laughing sarcastically. II am
fortunate in being able 10 satisfy her
even in this. / have another name,
and a friend who will claim my body
after ] am hanged, and bury me where
I my disconsolate widow may, II she
wish, raise a monument to comment
crate my virtues and her woes" He
wrote the name or the sheet OF paper
and handed II to her.
And have you, no condition to
maker" asked .Peggie, rising.
What condition should / maker" de-
manded Robin, somewhat sternly,
win she try to save my life. who
only seeks 10 profit by my death2 No!
lt will be reward enough TO hold her
hand for FIVE minutes, while the priest
makes her my wife; for justsso long as
I can a her to keep her carriage
] WaitiEgi No conditions for me. Yet,
stay: I'll make one that will not hurt
her pride or wound. her vanity. Tell
her I demand that she comes to me,
looking her prettiest, 4. as becomes a
bride. I'll feast my eyes upon her
loneliness, and IL she'll but kiss me
once, I'd thank them II they would
take me out and hang me before the
kiss had time to grow cold on my lips.
Fare the well. sweetheart, since you
must go, and thanks for your com
pany Take my lady back my wallet,
AMI let me first I'LL II with gold pieces
NO. nola cried Peggie. not quite
able to act up to the character OF
waiting woman to the extent OF ac-
cepting a fee for her mediation. My
lady would be vexed with me. IL Istook
sught from you but your consent 20
marry her"
And this" he cried. gaily kissing
her "Ill warrant o know h old
saw. Kiss and never tell"
For shame!" she demonstrated,
without any great show of indtgna-
tion. however. Help me with my
cloak and call the jailer. n you please.
! Alack. my reputation would suffer
sadly, ifseyer.1this long visit should be
heard OF outside the walls OF Newgate."
He adjusted her cloak, not forgetting
60 steal another kiss before she tied
the thick veil over her hood. TO-
morrow" she said. as the hurried out
after the jailer, some time In the fore-
npon."
As she took her seat in the chair.
che laughed softly to herself. 4 ranst