The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-11-28
CHAPTER x--(continued.)

Ma2MbHmg
CHAPTER x-(Continued.9
And In the midst Of all this excite
ment, Lady Prue fitted, bubbling over
with mirth and triumph. Her bright
presence lighted up the sick room, and
under It's influence, Lady Drumloch der
clared she would be carried down stairs
on Sunday to receive callers, and that
before a week IA over, she would be
strong enough to drive to Kensington
palace n pay her respects al the
queens next drawing room. She bade
PegBie fetch her jewel casket and try
n efect OF her Anticipated diadems
and brooches upon herself and Prue,
and spent an hour or two deciding
which OF them the eEneralds would best
become, and which one ought to have
the amethysts. Finally, however. the
matter was left undecided, and except
that she bestowed the promised pearls
upon Prne and a filagree bracelet upon
Margaret, the casket was relentlessly
restored intact to its hiding place.
All day. long, Peggie watched her
cousin, without being able to detect the
faintest sign OF compunction, or even
recollection OF the folly of yesterday
and the tragedy that would crown 1t in
a few hours, At Lady Limerick's drum,
she led the scandal and laughter. as
OF old, and at the play sat In her mod
est little box with Margaret beside her,
and an ever changing crowd OF beaux
behind her chair. Sir Goeffrey came
late, and had scarcely time to greet
her, when q message called her to the
Duchess OF Marlborough, In whose box
she spent the rest OF the evening.
He did not venture to follow there,
unlimited, so 1t Was not until the play
was over that he found an opportunity
TO address her. He was waiting at the
carriage door to hand her In, and with
out giving her time to object, Followed
and took his seat beside her.
do you not see my cousin sitting
with her back to the horses" inquired
Prue, in the most freezing tone, as she
drew herself as far as possible from
him.
Pardon my inadvertence, Miss Moi
fat!' he exclaimed. In q tone less gra-
cious than his words. and bouncing
over 70 the other seat in a great hur-
Never mind me-" said Peggie, stiff
ling q laugh, II prefer the front seat"
$50 much the better for me" re-
marked Prue, cody spreading out her
yoluminous skirts, did you see the
Spectator today, Sir Goeffrey? MOI
You must read 1T; the article about
Lady ,Beachcombe and the new heir
will make you die OF laughing. You
were too late, / think, 70 see the be-
ginning Of Mr.. Congreves new play;
how do you like the end? Very senti-
II cannot say I noticed IT," said Sir
Geoffrey sulkily; II was thinking OF
aThen why come to the play to think
OF other things2' she inquired In
n~ocently. "fTis an Ill compliment ia
Mr.. Congreve."
when Lady Prudence Brooke is
present, Mr.. Congreve cannot expect to
attract much attention" said Sir Geof-
frey. with an effort to recover his Gus
tomary gallant bearing. do not blame
me too severely If / am unable to keep
my thoughts from you, even at the
play. Dearest Prue."
AS they arrived in Mayfair at this
moment, Prue vas spared tbs effort
OF a retort. Peggie. aItghting first, ran
into the house, leaving Sir Geoffrey To
escort her cousin, but at the door OF
the drawing room Prue stopped.
II am very tired, Sir Geoffrey," she
said. attempting to withdraw her hand
from HIS clasp, 'tand must beg you to
excuse me this evening. My cousin
Margaret will entertain you"
she will do nothing OF the sort
said O laughing voice from above;
Cousin Margaret Is on her way to
bed!"a Ia .
"Then j will ask you to excuse me,
Sir Geoffrey, II / follow Peggie's ex-
ample. / have lost the habits Of gay
| London life, and two days Of 1t have
made me almost sick with fatigue"
GIVE me but five minutes" he en-
treated, "and I swear I'll detain o no
longer" He opened the door as he
spoke and led her into the room, In
which a single lamp, turned low, am
phasized the darkness.
She stood facing him without q word,
Suddenly he tried to take her I'm his
arms, but she repulsed him with a ges-
ture almost OF horror. You forget,
Sir Godfrey" she said, that I am the
wife OF another man."
He laughed ironically. It's It possible
that you are taking this farce serious
ly? / feared I had had the misfortune
to offend you, n am relieved to find
that nothing worse a come between
us than Robin Freemsntle."
THAT Is enough for the present" she
said. while, n man can call me wife,
all other men must keep their dis
n your betrothed lover, Prud-
eence?g he pleaded reproachfally.
You more than any one," h re-
piled r~esolutely. without you, / could
not have married this unfortunate man,
and you should, at least, respect the
wife you helped him to"
Heaven give me patiencsl" he cried,
exasperatad. "Do you really look upon
yourself as the wife of this galiows
bird? Pray, do you propose to don
widows weeds on Monday?"
Al shudder Quivered through her. II
don't know what I shall do on Mon
day, she said, in a low, strained voice.
and RAJ out OF the room and upstairs
without another thought OF Sir Geof-
frey.
He waited for a few minutes, In
hopes OF her return, and then went
down and let himself but into the
moonlit street.
CHAPTER XXI.