The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-12-19

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claimed to be his brother. His broth
er-l HIS elder BROTHER! The shrill cry
OF h baby heir smote upon HIS ear,
and goaded him to such q madness of
importent fury that IL Samuel could
have seen him then and known the
u OF the furrow on his brow and
the blood upon his bitten lip, he might
have made his own terms and become
rich for life.
In the afternoon, a groom came to
say that his lordship's horse had been
brought to the stable by a ragged boy.
who had made or before he could be
questioned. .
What condition was he in? Had he
been ridden fast OF for?" Lord Beach
combe inquired eagerly. 8
Hadn't turned a hair, my lord" was
the reply; might "a been for q canter
round the park" N
Beachcombe went to the stable him
self to make inspection, but could dis
cover no mark or sign to enlighten the
most sherpsighted. "Oh! IL you could
speak," he muttered, as he caressed the
glossy coat and deer like head Of his
favortte. III you could tell me where
you nave been these three hoursl"
But there was nothing to be learned:
not so much as could be shown by q
muddy fetlock. II the horse had been
out Of town. he had been carefully
groomed on his return and every trace
of travel removed. His master returned
to the house, more morose and yenge-
full than ever, to while away the hours
that slowly passed until 1t was time
70 dress for the great entertainment at
Marlborough house.
When he descended from his wife's
apartments, where he had gone to dis
play himself in his masquerade dress,
he was certainly a magnificent and pic
turesque figure. His costume, OF the
period Of Charles ii, was OF white satin,
profusely trimmed with exquisite lace,
and adorned with dazzling orders and
jewels. A wig of long curls softened
the harsh outline of his face, and a
skilful touch Of rouge relieved his
swarthy pallor and lent q ~brilliancy to
his dark eyes. His resemblance to
Robin was remarkable enough then to
have struck the most unobservant.
D. Over his arm hi carried a voluni-
nous domino Of scarlet silk, and a
mask to match dangled from his jew
eled fingers. w..
He was stepping into his carriage,
when q little black figure darted in
front Of him, and Samuel, bowling to
the very ground before this gorgeous
apparition, besought a word with him,
Leave him alone" cried Beachcombe,
40 t"o u bCI III HICL lOpp
forward to sweep this insect from their
masters path. Have you anything
important to say to me?" he eagerly
inquired. 49, .%y 80. ~, ~ ,".
Most important, your Worship
mean your lordship," replied Samuel.
I've got it.; only just now, though, and
I've run every step OF the way" and
he showed a corner OF the letter hidden
in his breast. A..
Give 1t to me- said Beachcombe, in
a low, concentrated voice, and held out
his hand for 1t. But Samuel hung back.
MY lord-my lord he stammered,
clutching the packet like a drowning
man grasping a straw, will you give
me s100?"i #e
What, now; before I see the pa
pers?" Besides, I've not so much
about me-" exclaimed Beachcombe.
why, you imp Of the devil, are you
afraid to trust me? Here take my purse
and give me that packet. I must have 1t
now, do you hear? And come to me
tomorrow for your 100 g~uineas."
And before Samuel could make up
his mond what to do, he found himself
standing alone with q silken purse, full
of golden guineas, in his hand, and the
precious packet being whirled away
from him in The earPs chariot.
Lord Beachcombe, with the packet
IlKHlIy ClulCIrCu III HIS Il1hu1 BdNC way
to a reverie so pleasant and absorbing
that he did not notice a slight addition
al jar In the joit!ng Of the carriage over
the I'LL paved street. The Of the
jar, was the sudden accession Of two
outside passengers; one on the
box beside the coachman, n the
other beside the lackey behind.
the same instant, felt the cold con-
tact Of q pistol against his ear, and
before they could make any outcry, the
carriage was going in q different d.
rection.
A touch of the whip sent the horses
forward at breakneck speed. Keep
quiet and you are SAFE" q the
stranger on the box, and in a moment
he slipped over the coachan's head q
bag that served both to gag and blind
field him. The same operation was
performed simultaneously upon the
footman. Very soon, they turned
sharply under an archway, and a
heavy gate was slammed behind them.
Leading the coachman on the box.
his captor got off and opened the car
riage door.
Descend here, Lord Beachcombe,"
he said, holding up a lantern, which
revealed q tall man in q mask and be-
hind him an open door.
What Is the meaning of this out
rage?" demanded Beachcombe, FUN
bling at his sword. The masked man,
with very little ceremony, hauled him
out OF the carriage, and disregarding
a strenuous resistance, conducted
him into a small room, bare
ly furnished and dimly lighted.
He then saw that his assail-
ant was almost a. richly dressed as
himself, ard wore a jeweleds star and
other decorations Of great splendor.
What am ! brought here for?" he
asked, in q more subdued tone, for as
his fear Of robbery subsidized in these
surroundings. the fact that he had
many and bitter enemies rose up be-
fore him. ' j.
3 mo harm unless you bring IL upon
yourself" replied the other. "At worst,
An hour or two's detention and soli-
tude and the loan OF your invitation
to the duchess masquerade"
Your voice sounds familiar to me-"
said Lord Beachcombe. will you not
remove your mask now that we are
.alone?" The other hesitated. rs II
worth while to keep up this mystery,
Captain Freemantle? You see I rec
ognize YOU"
''Since you know me, It is not worth
WHILE" replied Robin, unmasking. AS
he did so, Beachcombe whipped out his
sword and rushed upon him. Robin
had no time TO arm himself, but dodg-
Ing the onslaught with the agility of a
cat. closed upon his assailant with a
clever wrestling trick that threw him
upon his back half-stunned, and be-
fore he could recover, had his hands
securely tied behind his back with his
gold-fringed sash. .
r. agYnu uy0ulH have fffp vatA DnhL.