The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1912-10-31
VII

Al wEDDING-RING FOR a KISS.
Robin had been alone half an haur
or SO. when the door was again opened,
and another visitor announced.
Here, highwayman. cried the jail
er, /" a lady wants to see you now.
You knights OF the o are always In
favor with the women"
Il know no women" said Robin
roughly. Certainly none that would
come here TO see me-
well, shall this one come imp de-
manded the jailer. .1'll warrant she's
young and pretty, and O real lady.
tool came IN q cfa,r pr.v
don't keep a real lady waiting In the
passage" said Robin, who foresaw
some begging petition or. perhaps, the
request of some frolicsome damsel for
q lock OF his hair for her album, on o
bequest Of the rope that hanged him,
flor luckl BE seated. madam" he
added, as a slender figure, wrapped In
a heavy cloak and closely yelled, giided
timidly. into the cell. What service
can i render your" '1slF + &
Can I,have a few Words alone with
your" murmured the visitor. The
jailer, who had been hanging round,
curious TO, see and hear, withdrew,
with a laugh and a coarse Jest, and
Hooked the door, after him. ~
The lady threw off her veil, reveal
ing the homely features and sparkling
eyes of Margaret Moffat. Il" ~ .
You know me not" she said. Yet
we have met before. Robin Free
Il can not believe" replied Robin
calamity. "tbat. once seen, you could
lever be forgotten by me-"
well. possibly you did not see me:
lone far more attractive engrossed all
your attention, and tits from her ]
EnNrnA 30 nalr ~ 49, 4.A-1 10. 49,
which many of the highest In the land
have offered in vain" ~@~
You puzzle me greatly" said Robin.
what favor can any lady desire Of a
man as good as dead?" t&r "
"Why==that's Just where It is--an'
you were not condemned to- die, you
Lcould do nothing for my lady"
my lady! And who is your lady,
may I ask?" =. .. ..... y..I
"In tell that presently; but first, be-
fore / reveal her name, tell me n
thing truly. Are you married?"4 ~
Married? No, the saints be praised!
but show can that concern your lady?
Does she wish to marry me, per-
chance?" cried Robin Ironically.
THAT is just what she does WISH"
said Margaret, as. demurely as though
she had really been the waiting maid
she feigned to be. 'tAnd for q token.
she sends you this" And she threw
Il uOWH DtlOI6 HlLu TIC WdlIcIE ne naQ
flung into Prue's lap on Bleakmoor.
He took Ii up, recognizing Il with a
whirling brain The whole scene
sprang. up before him as under a sud-
den illumination-the, gathering dark
ness and the falling rain-the old
chariot. with it's .,steaming horses and
frightened servants-and by the light
of his lantern, the lovely face of a
girl with her hood thrown back and a
tangle Of lark curls against the milky
wh!teness OF her neck. He saw the
round. bare arms and tappering hands
extended, to show that she had nc
Jewels. about her, the roguish smile dis.
closing the little even teeth and spark.
ling in the depths of the starry eyes
and for a moment his lips. once more
brushed her scarlet mouth, and the
perfume Of her breath again cloudet
+ Margaret watched him with amuse.
melt, as his face disclosed something
OF the varying. emotions, over which
Amusement predonninated. @",
Does, h surprise your she In
qutred. Hmockingly, "-"Sure, tits no un,
common thing for a man to pay for
kiss with a wedding ring"
There must be some other reason
he said, more to himself than in repiS
to her. That kiss meant nothing K
her" . - "," -
did It mean anything to your
Margaret, beginning to feel Interested
ITO me His ace was suddenly
Iirradiated. You, who bask In the light
Of that incompatible loneliness all til,
time, can never understand what II
means to the man who sees IT for tn,
first time-and not only sees. Blu
touchcs!--touches with his unworthy
lips that cheek Of down--those Iips
All! how many times since T felt the
thrill of that kiss, and wondered If she
could recall 1t without horror"
ii Well, horror. car scarcely be thu
sentiment you inspired, since she wish,
es TO marry you," simpered Peggie.
The mist OF passion suddenly cleared
from his eyes, and he bent on her 90
steady and penetrating q glance. tina,
her eyes fell, and she waited nervouslS
for his next words to give the u tC
his thoughts. -
Hal! she wishes. to marry me?' ht
said slowly. "IsHit an honest wish OF
her own or IL 1t a trap set by SOM
""oh! indeed, It il entirely her owl
ideal!"' cried Margaret eagerly; mot &
soul has any suspicion Of 1t but her,
self and me, and II you, refuse. yor
will not even know her name, and the
secret will be buried in your grave"
I Then give me a reason" he said
apparently relieved by her unmistak.
able honesty. t"Give me the real rea.
son, for /! see this Is something more
than a mere fine lady's caprice"
Continued Next Weekly