The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1912-11-14

ing over we that I could even think |
such a creature? What with mar
Tying criminals and receiving offers
from usurers the Viscountess Brooke
must be coming to a pretty pass"
With which she made a deep curtsey
to as much as she could see of the Wis
countess Brooke in the little looking
glass, mi running out of the room
Miss Moffat coming up stairs.
Hasten. Prue.' she whispered
breathlessly. All is arranged. Sir
Godfrey has the ring and license In
his pocket and a parson in the car
rlage. If the bride is ready" She
had entirely recovered from her brief
of reluctance and was as merry
as a child and as reckless OF conse-
The bride is quite ready" cried
Prue. Nothing is lacking except"
Except what?" inquired Peggie, as
she broke off abruptly.
on! a trife or two; nothing worth
mentioning" laughed Prue, snatching
her cloak n DOC and running
lightly down stairs, where Sir Geof-
frey awaited them, not altogether at
ease about his own part in the affair,
and palpably relieved that Prue was
In the best of spirits and inclined to
treat h whole adventure as a frolic.
It's all your own falkland Peg
e' aooSiSo Ill Cl ~ SduClSSt
way. IF We're not the most good
natured person in the world l should
scold you both Soundly and refuse to
make a fool Of myself for your amuse-
ment.''
will you change places with me
ana Jet me take your chance" cried
Peggie. 1T can not make much diff
ference to Robin"
What, when l ain all dressed up in
ribbons and laces for the wedding? No
difference, forsooth! What do you say
to that, Sir Geoffrey?"
I was just going to suggest that
you We're altogether too fine a bride
for the OCCASION" said Sir .Geoffrey,
rather glumly. "a less Respondent
toilet would be less likely to attract
attention."
Eclipse me then under this big
cloak" she replied, giving it to him.
do you think, you foolish man, that
!! am dressed up like this to wed a
iootpad? l am on my way to MARI
borough House to dine with the OUCH
ess, and must hasten Or 1 shall be late
and may chance to get a box o. the
ear for my first course"
Robin Freemantle sat at the rough
table In his cell, writing busily. Sew
eral closely written sheets We're spread
out before him, and when he finished
the last and signed his name to it he
threw the pen down and sat drumming
on the table with his fingers. 1t was
an idle action but by no means idly
performed, for the frown on his fore
head and the movements Of his long.
sinewy hands were full Of purpose,
and angry purpose, too.
Presently the frown died away and
a look Of wistful sadness replaced it..
He took up the written sheets and
turned them in his fingers as though
half-d1sposed to tear them IN. smiling
| hlftpTlU &C he pInyna1 Fr@~, ~.-a ~
page.
What good will it do me-" he NUT
tered, when my bones are rotting in
an unmarked grave, to bequeath a
e to perhaps unborn generations?
Shall l fling down my mothers repu-
tatlon for the lawyers to fight over,
like dogs over a bone, when l am not
there to protect it, and when the out
come Of the struggle will interest me
as little as it will her?'
A dim vision, more imagination than
memory, rose before him of the fair,
young mother who had faded from his
life twenty-three years ago., and be-
side it another face radiant with life
and laughter, a pair of blue eyes
sparkling through curled lashes, a pair
of round, white arms cleaning in the
darkness, a scarlet mouth-every nerve
tingled at the thought that his own
had touched it, and might again. But
~ VA III DSSll merely Praying with
him. How could he have been fooled
by the ruse of a spoiled beauty to feed
her own vanity and punish his auda
city? n want to marry him! 1t
was fantastic, absurd, and what could
be more improbable than the reason
for such a folly? She had a wager on
1t, perhaps, or merely wished to amuse
herself at the expense Of the daring
highwayman who had robbed her of a
kiss. Well, she had had her way. He
had shown that she had but to beckon
and he was ready to follow, and that
had doubtless ended her whim.
She will not comet" he said, aloud,
that plainly showed how he clung to
the promise he feigned to discredit.
The jailer opened the door noisily.
visitors for the h1ghwaylnan," he
announced: More fine ladies and
gentlemen"
Robi sprang to hts feet, looking
eagerly from n to another. What
ever his expectations were, the first
glance disappointed them. A pimply-
faced, w~atery-eyed little man, in rusty
black, entered first, conducting Mar
garet Moffat by the hand in a ceremo-
NOUS fashion, that had something in
it reminiscent Of the time when he did
not need filling up with gin to make
him remember that he was a student
and a Doctor of Divinity. And close
behind him, followed Sir Geoffrey
Beaudesert-tall, handsome, dressed
with the sober elegance that became
the budding statesman, supporting or
his arm a lady, enveloped from head tc
foot in a hooded cloak, that complete
ly concealed her.
May I inquire" Robin began
Then his glance fell upon Mar
garet, whose air OF coquettish sim
pbcity would not have misbecome
my lady's confidential maid, and
recognizing her. his hopes rose
again, and he burst into a hearty
laugh. "Ha, my fair friend; have yoI
come to enliven my solitude, once
more? What! Sir Godfrey Beaude.
sert? / can not say 1 anticipated the
honor OF a visit from you I fanciet
you had already seen more Of M
than you approved"
Sir Godfrey flushed. MY good fel.
low" he said haughtily. II have nc
personal enmity toward you; 1 merel,
did my duty as a citizen in %appearine
as q witness against you."
"Oh! I a forgotten that" SAID
0 ne~gligcntly. st was thinking Of
the time when I and my friends were
chasing you and yours, and the con.
stables shot my horse-poor Firebrand
I wonder what became of him-an6
turned the tide of battle"
Sheath fellOwtp Sir CoofSrap ha-o,