Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1912-10-31

tant.
At this exasperating crisis, it was
only natural that her mind should re-
vert persistently to the one spot of
light In the gloom. Was it a beacon of
hope or an illusory will-o'-the-wisp?
Had Sir Geoffrey been misled, or was
he trying to mislead Mr.. Aarons?
Can grannie really be a miser ?' she
had asked both herself and Peggie a
dozen times in the course of the day.
h longed to question Sir Godfrey as
to the source of his information, yet
dared not reveal the little she knew.
for fear he might Wonder how she had
come by that little.
Peggie laughed heartily at the sug-
gestion of Lady Drumloca's wealth. and
vowed 1t must be q myth. Could she
have kept such n secret from us for
once giving us a hint of ii, and never
once relaxing the austerity OF her life,
even now she is old and sick? Besides.
how would it help US now If she had a
cellar full OF gold. since she will not
give us a guinea or a gown? You have
SO many friends, Prue; will none of
them help you out?"
The women will not help me; they
are only too glad to keep me out in
the cold" said Prue pettishly. and l
am neither old enough nor ugly enough,
to ask favors of a man. even a money
lender" she added, contemptuously re-
miniscent OF Mr.. Aarone' advances.
Pray, open the window, COZ. These
dlstracting cares make me SO faint, l
feel as though l should die for lack of
air"
Peggie obeyed, and Prue. seating her
self near the window, gradually ceased
her lamentations and fell silent. The
outside noises tioated up confusedly-
relsome shouts of waiting chairmen.
and clear above all the voice of the
newsman calling the details OF yester-
days cock fight and the latest scandal.
Rumor OF a great battle In the
Netherlands-Arrival of a queens cour-
Ter with sealed dispatches from the seat
OF war-Exciting scene In the house
of commons-Threatened resignation of
Lord Godolphin from the cabinet
trial and sentence of Robin Freeman
tie, the h~ighwayman. Story of his life
and confessions-How he fell from vir-
tue and responsibility to end his days
on Tyburn Tree next Monday"
Dos thou hear that. Peggie?" cried
Prue; t h bold h~ighwayman who
kissed me on Bleakmoor is condemned
h~einous!!"
Ills a natural death for such as
he" quoth Peggie philosophically.
"And yet, he was a gallant man;
young, Ill be sworn, and hand
some, belize. 1t seems strange to
think that such hot blood will be cold
in he veins OF a corpse in less than a
week."
Art going to wear weeds for him..
COZ, because he snatched a kiss from
you?' teased Peggie.
Not l! But mayhap some poor
wretch is breaking her heart because
she'll be u widow o. Monday" said
Prue pensively.
\ her debts will be paid along
With the debt of nature said Peggie
| n1nn2nfIV s'I1On'f fhi1E pn,i1f1
easily console yourself in her ~case?"
"Fcrsooth, yes!' cried Prue, quickly
recovering her vivacity. II would L
We're like to be the widow OF somebody
within a week. Then j could laugh at
that old villain Aarons. and the rest
OF the pettifoggers. With their threats
of the debtors prison. Sure, there must
be a special hell for Jews and law
yers."
Peggie gave her hearty acquiescence
and returned to her book, and for some
time no sound was heard except an
occasional smothered laugh, when Mr..
Pope,s h%ighly-spiced rhymes tickled
her fancy more than usual. Prue fell
into Il somber reverie. and with the tip
of her taper finger between her teeth,
became so buried in thought that a
sharp little line began to trace itself
distinctly between her drawn brows.
Outside, the newsman's voice. gradu-
.AAe AAAAAA5 AA bAS VI SllII repeat.
ed. Buy the life and confessions of
Robin Freenlantle, the notorious high
wayman-only sixpence."
Prue sprang to her feet. at last.
Margaret she exclaimed. and her
voice had a curiously unfamiliar ring.
Her cousin started. Prue had not
called her by her full name in many a
day.
Margaret. If this highway,nan has
no wife-people of that sort don't mar
ry. usually-what is to prevent his
marrying me and leaving me a widow
on Monday. with all my debts buried
in his cofrin?"
Peggie had been so often participation
and prime minister Of Prue's exploits
that she was not easily aslonished by
her. But this proposition was SO en-
tirely outside the bounds of reason that
n could only shake her head vigor-
ouSly, without even a word of protest.
lis not SO reckless as it seems,
Peggie," said Prue, sitting down be-
tide her and passing a c~oaxing arm
around her shoulders. Listen, dear
Reg. The man must die; Gods pity on
him! What a it matter 10 me to be
his wife for a few hours; what can 1t
matter to him to ease me of my debts:
They. will not roubl him in the next
world; neither will l."
a mad freak" Peggie demonstrated.
III be out OF danger OF the fleet.
thought" cried Prue, renewing her
caresses. Fancy your poor little |
cousin in q debtors prison. Peggie, |
With all sorts of wretches who can not |
pay their butchers and bakers-and |
miserable cheats and swindlers. so
mean n low that they have not q !
soul to help them-and fancy me just !
1 G0 iy-nH o~S ria 90 l~.. VN---i- l