The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-10-10
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1911. The Bobbs. MerrM Company

Merr1l company
cuses, since I had admitted the favor
able change in your symptoms, and re-
ceived the congratulations OF many
anxious friends" returned Prue pa
thetically. "'Tis true I have no heart
for frivolous pleasures while my dear
grandmother is ill-but the court is an
other thing, and people begin to Won
der at my absence"
Well, what is the matter? Why
make excuses al all? I am not aware
that I have imposed any restrictions
upon you," said the old lady crisply.
has taken very good care of
me for a year, n you may still ven
ture to trust me to her for a few
be so averse to frivolous pleasures
that you need make me an excuse for
giving them up"
Indeed, dear grandmother, it was
no vain excuse-'twas the truth" Prue
protested. yet not the whole truth,
for my baggage is still at Bleakmoor,
whence we fled in such a hurry that
what we travelled in"
We'll? Are there no milliners and
mantua-makers in London?" inquired
the countess, with an air Of surprise.
Several hundred, I should think
and every n 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 now-never a mercer or tailor will
trust me for a gown"
What! Not with the prospect of a
in parliament" cried her
grandmother, laughing maliciously.
Indeed, no, Grannie," sighed Prue
%piteously; mot unless | pay, at least.
for what J. order now"
They have learned wisdom at last
retorted Lady Drumloch coldly, and
that is more than can be said Of YOU,
who during -four or five years of widow
hood have Tilted half the peerage, made
yourself this byword of the court, and
now go in fear of the debtors prison"
There was no talk of a debtors
favorite lady In waiting" a Prue,
with a touch Of arrogance, but now
they only remember that L was ban
ished from court"
And hat 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
she has sent me such a gracious mes
sage by Lady Limerick-but, alack the
day!-what am 1 saying? How can I
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
r%esentful eyes.
"'Well?" h queried in her driest
voice. "What do you propose to do?
You have a plan, no doubt, to accom-
plish h you have set your heart
upon"
mo, I have no plan,'' cried Prudence
despairingly, but surely you dear
grandmother, will not let your little
Prue lose her last chance of winning
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 UGH 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" she shrieked. SIS 1t not
enough that I give you shelter in the
home you have disgraced with your
reckless follies hat l have to admit
your wanton companions-only Mary
Warburton and Lady Limerick, for
sooth. Dc o think I am SO deaf as
not to HAYS heard the voices of half
a dozen men and your dear friend,
Of half the mad frolics that have made
you notorious ?-but I must pay your
debts and give you money, when I'm
so poor [ can 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
h ngr 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 WILL" said Prudence
proudly. Tomorrow I will go to old
A~arons-though I vowed the last time
should be h very last"
The girls We're 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 a loud Knocking
announced the arrival Of q visitor OF
Importance, and James presently came
up with a petition from Sir Geoffrey
B~eaudesert for a few words with the
Lady Prudence, Notwithstanding the
lateness Of the hour.
The lateness of the hour! Why, its
barely 8 O'clock" cried Prue, blushins
and sparkling with delight. go, James
and tell Sir Godfrey / will be with him
Immediately. Come. Peggie."
And away h few to reassure her
self, by a glance at her mirror, tina
her scene with Lady Drumloch had not
d~ishevelled her luxurious curls, and tc
disguise h shabbiness of her gowr
with a lace kerchief and a knot o.
ribbon.
"A plague on all milliners and tail.
ors,' she pouted; ito think that ]
should have to receive my betrothe6
after three weeks separation, looking
more like my lady's scullery maid thar
her granddaughter"
Sir Godfrey will never know VIVA
you wear If you sit away from the
lamp. where he can just see your eyes
by the freight" counseled Margaret
NO man cares to look at yonr pown