The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-10-31
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Copyright, 1871, The Bobbs- Merrill Company

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your lordship's friends and foes, espe-
cially the latter"
The visitor WINGED. mo man likes
his family affairs held up to ~ridicule,''
he said. 81 would willingly buy the
letters. If genuine"
oh! they are genuine; also the mar
riage certificate, whereof one of the
witnesses is still living, and the certi-
ficates Of the birth and baptism Of the
son, now rs years old. I believe your
lordship is 26?"
And why has this matter been al
lowed to sleep for 80 years2"
Because Mrs. Vincent-as she tenn
porarily allowed herself to be called
although clever enough to find out that
her S~tage-player lover was really a
lieutenant Of h kings guards, mas
q~uerading under a false name, was I'm
able to trace him when he disappeared.
a year after their marriage, and
knew in consequence of several deaths,
he had become Lord Beachcombe, OF
whom she probably never heard, and
certainly never connected with Lieu
tenant Gregory de Cliffe. The last of
this series of documents is the certi-
icate Of the death Of the deserted
wife, when her son was about S
years old. to whom she ~bequeathed
only her wedding ring and a casket,
which was to be opened when he came
to mans estate"
Lord Beachcombe's sallow face Grim
soned with such a rush of blood, that
in danger of s~uffocating.
Five years. he gaSped. "Scoundrel,
do you know what you are saying?''
Robin bent his head, without speak
ing.
Where are these forgeries? These
parently unable to utter another word.
"A I told o before. they are quite
safe.'' said Robin quitely. But an
hour after my death, they will be in
the hands of the person whom they
most concern"
And do you-does this impostor
imagine that he can GUST a peer Of the
realm with a few old letters and musty
documents, forsooth?" cried the earl.
recovering himself a little. I'VE mobiles
hang together. Sir Highwayman, and
are chary Of disturbing one Of our
order for a trifle."
Il do not know whether he can GUST
you. Lord Beachcombe,' said Robin,
looking him steadily in the eye. but
he can prove you a bastard"
Beachcombe' sprang to his feet, with
hand on sword, as though he would
have drawn it on the d%efenseless pris-
oner, and stood, breathing heavily. un-
able to utter a word.
w are alone, my Lord, and not one
word that passes between us need eve
be repeated outside this CELL" said Ro-
bin; that Is, If you agree to my terms.
Otherwise, I may feel compelled to
make terms with your cousin, who
legitimate, and your elder brother were
could be induced to waive his claim"
Lord Beachcombe bent a furtive, but
piercing regard upon the prisoner.
And how can you answer for Eim?"
he asked, slowly weighing his words.
him in the law courts afterward. Oh!
It's intolerable-it's a conspiracy-it
must be a lie-my father a bigamist!
my mother! William, you shall hang
for calling me bastard, if for nothing
else."
IT think not" said Robin. your
unborn child may be a son, whose fate
hangs upon your word. The rightful
heir values my life so highly, that he
himself has instigated this offer. He
is willing to give all his documents In
exchange for my life and liberty.
ficient to carry him abroad and start
him in life, he will sign a deed. if you
will have one drawn up resigning all
claims on the title or estates Of Beach
combe. Is that explicit enough?"
During this speech, Lord B~eachcombe
had Quilted down, n was now seated
opposite the prisoner, whom he regard
ed with fixed attention.
What does your claimant call him
selfe Under What name is he known?'
he demanded aruptly.
You can not o it without perus-
ing the documents" said Robin, "and
you can not do that until I am free to
bring them to Won myself"
Il tell you," exclaimed the earl pet
tishly, that you overestimate my in
fluence. How can I obtain the pardon
of a highwayman who attacked the
Lord Archbishop"
II took nothing from his grace but
his wig" cried Robin, with a bolster
Gus laugh. and SO that he might not
catch cold in his venerable head, I gave
him in exchange a comfortable cotton
nightcap, that had once been the prop
erty Of the mayor Of York! Twas a
fair exchange, and methinks the arch
bishop would scarcely wish me hanged
for a joke, when I might have stripped
him of a coachful Of treasure"
Lord Beachcombe rose. There are
yet three days" he said grudgingly.
I'll see what can be done"
not i fnr vo nays y sd s1T P me, my Lord, but
Il must know by this time tomorrow
what my chances are with you, for the
letter I was inditing to your cousin
Francis can not be delayed longer thar
that"
"Francis!" sneered Lord B~eachcombe.
VIVA do you imagine he can do for
you? A man whose name is hardly
Known at court! An indolent recluse;
a mere pumpkin
For me? Probably nothinp." pobtn
replied, in a stern, threatening tone.
But what can he do Tor yoo. w...l
those apers in his possession? L may
be dead before they reach him, but my
revenge will be sure, in his hands,"
D you suppose he will put himself
out for you-your claimant? You evil
IDENTIFY don't. know Francis"
Il do not know him, but I know hu-
mar nature" retorted Robin. What
heir does not live in hopes of some
day inheriting? I shall make no condi-
tons with him. but place the proof of
your father's first marriage in his
hands. Can you doubt that he will use
that weapon to put himself in your
place? Oh, don't flatter yourself that
my death will clear the worst danger
out of your path. Alive, you have a
dozen ways Of silencing me; dead,
have one way to ruin you-utterly."
The two men regarded each other for
a few seconds intently. Robins face
expressed cold, ~implacable determine
HIM fh~ -.