The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-12-05
A ez1e ~.
Nl2.g. gmuu0ence
Y ~ Pfue
MI nae aAhnaU1AlsdNsMa
dgI0p6ie ZRsber
SMM Gspynshs rsr. T. Bobas Asdn conpaay

is not dead--he has been pardoned
and Is out or prison. Oh! my poor,
dear Prue, to think you were all night
breaking your heart for nothing
Hush, hush, Peggiel" Prue was
scarlet to the roots OF her hair and
with both her hands over Peggie's
mouth, tried to stife her voice.
Mercy" shrieked Peggie, suddenly
discovering Robin. How did you get
here2 What did q come forY'
Fol no evil purpose. M good Mis-
tress Peggie," he replied good humor-
eddy, Il came as any other visitor and
requested a few words in private with
Lady Prudence Brooke. BY good for
tune, / found her here alone, and viii
now proceed to disclose the object OF
my visit, which Is simply to ask her
Ito take charge Of this small packet
for me, until / send a messenger for 1t.
The packet was a 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 1t out to Prue, but she
made no movement TO take Il.
"Oh. don't be afraid that I would
ask you to do anything dangerous he
went on earnestly. III it concerned
myself, I would not dare to trouble
you, but this is a sacred trust, which
l hold far above my life, and If I were
rearrested, which 10 quite possible, !
might not be able to rid myself OF It
In time to prevent a great disaster. II
was for this reason that I took the un
warranable liberty OF calling upon the
N~iscountess Brooke. This packet con-
Germs the life and fortune OF many
friends OF hers, but no one would think
OF looking for 1t lin the keeping OF the
Duchess of Marlborough's favorite.s'
Friends OF mine ?" she exclaimed,
incredulously. Then who are your"
"A poor soldier of Fortune" he re-
piled, bowling low as though introduce
Ing himself, who has for a moment
crossed your path and In a few days
Will return to his natural obscurity and
trouble. All he asks is forgiveness for
having so signally failed In keeping his
part Of the marriage contract"
1T is not that" she interrupted.
thoroughly abashed, though not less
angry than before. II should, perhaps,
be the one to ask pardon for forcing
marriage upon o which must be
very irksonie now; for, sure. YOU must
be even more embarrassed to find your
self saddled with a wife than L with a
husband. Yet, believe me, ! am not SO
bad as I seem. Peggie knows / did
not wish you harm, but OH / wish /
had seen you. Why did you at
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
|highwayman ! had never seen or heard
Poor Robin turned so pale while
Prue poured out these lamentations,
that Peggte took compassion on him.
out upon You, cousin, for a railing
FshreW! If you Jus needs blame
somebody, let 1T be me, for If L had not
persuaded you to run away from York
shire, Captain Freemantle would not
nave Kissed mean waylaid you--and
II / mad efused to carry your message
to Newgate, he would have been spared
a scoldtng wife, and God he knows, his
state would have been the more gra-
cious-tf / had not meddled in things
i had better have left alone
Well, Peggie, I forgive you; and
you too, Sir Highwayman. The only
person l cannot pardon is Prudence
Brooke, Who eve looks the length Of
her nose before h Jumps over a preci-
pice," said Prue. Give me your pack
st." she held out her hand without
raising her eyes, "and tell me how II
can serve you; butIdo not trust me
TOO Tar; you can see for yourself what
empty headed little fool / am"
If. you knew how you hurt me by
yCdLSSlA1 you WOulQ refralQ,"
said Robin, in a low voice. "Belieye
me, death would be welcome, IL 1t would
make you as kind to me again as YOU
were when / was condemned to die.
But a higher law than mans law for
bids us to take our own life or even
throw It away recklessly: yet do not
despair, the outlaw walks blindfold
through a worldful OF executioners."
wrong me In speaking as
though as though / were one of
hem" she replied, with q touch OF dis
.dain. What do you wish me to do
with your packetg' a
ITO keep 1t safely until my messon-
ger calls for II, and to be alone when
you give 1t to him. He will carry no
credentials" Robin added, "and viii
merely inquire IL you have anything
Tor the captain. You can surrender
your charge to him without fear. Ac-
Hcept my profoundest thanks for this
favor. and my humblest apologies for
having intruded so long. Farewell,
ladies"
Once more he bowed tremendously
and was gone.