The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-02-13
CHAPTER XXI.
AN AFFAIR OF FAMILY.

Inere was n monlentary pause OF
embarrassment. Lord B~eachcombe's
last visit to Lady Drumloch's house
had been under circumstances that
made the present quite unforeseen.
Also he had not met Sir Godfrey since
their Hostile encounter in Hyde park,
therefore a meeting in the presence OF
the woman who had been so disturbing
an element in both their lives. was
mutually ~disconcerting.
Sir Godfrey was the first to recover
himself, greeting the new arrival with
exaggerated politeness and inquiring
after his health with a solicitude that
Lord Beachcombe did not attempt to
reciprocate. The, wound he had re-
cetyed from Sir Geoffrey's sword was
slight enough to be. patched up with a
lew strips OF courtplaster; the wound
to his vanity still gaped. He looked
IN with a 'sardonic smile while Sir
Geoffrey, pressing several impassioned
kisses upon Prue's reluctant hand, babe
her "a brief adieu,' and slowly backed
himself to the door.
II trust / am not driving Sir Geoff-
rey B~eaudesert~ away" said Beach
combe, stiffly. .
by no means" cried Prue with alac-
rfty. Sir Geoffrey was taking
his leave when YOU entered!
Sir Godfrey, farewell. No doubt we
shall meet at Lady Rialton's, or else
where, later I'm the day; our world is
SO small, we can not get away from one
another even for an hour; don't you
find it sometimes grows monotoIlous,
Lord B~eachcombe? ?" "' 2
AS the door closed upon the parting
guest, Beachcombe approached her
with an air Of distant respect, bowling
profoundly, with his hand upon his
breast. #t" aH
Pardon this intrusion, Lady Pru-
dence. and permit me'to lay my homage
at your feet" he said. .
Prue curtsied again. pray, my lord,
do not wound me by apologizing for
a friendly visit" she returned, with a
sweet smile. BE seated, and let me
offer you a cup of chocolate" .r .
The little torment had jumped quick
lly to the conclusion that some motive
of strong personal interest had brought
her old lover to the house he had never
entered since, scarcely a year ago, their
troth had been broken with bitter
words and thinly yelled insults on both
sides. Her quick intuition warned her
that his visit might, very possibly, add
another snarl to the tangle in which
she felt herself becoming hopelessly en-
meshed, So she eSerted all her tact
n skill to keep him On tenter hooks,
and give herself time to gather her
forces, while she discussed frothy scan
dals and airy n%othings, pretending not
u W LIOLlGC LAlG ldCh vi ESSpOIISG anu Ill
reprcssed impotence, until suddenly
she turned full upon him her clear and
dazzling glance and changed her tao
tics without a moments warning.
"But ] had forgotten" she said.
how little you care about scandal and
poetry, and / can scarcely f1atter my
self thai my frivolous conversation can
be very entertaining to you. My tongue
run way with me sadly, doesn't it2 I
dare say you remember of old what a
chatterbox / am. Well" with a sud
den. change of tone, now tell me what
really brought you to see me?"'"a
Her abrupt question had the intended
/ effect of confusing her visitor and
throwing him off his guard, while her
ingenious smile disarmed him. !
your conversation is delightful al
all times, Lady Prudence" he began
hurriedly; so observation-disclosures
-vah-intimate knowledge of society,"
and literature is as rare as 1t is agree
able. Nothing should / enjoy so much
IL /, did not have my head SO full of a
subject whfch-a-prfvate family affair
-which-which+ ,
He trailed off helplessIy, and she lei
him founder until his embarrassment
ceased to amuse her. Then she said
quietly. 80, H.. ~ '.,, ~ .~@-1 .
you, Lord Beachcombe, In a private
family affair? That seems quite out
Of my province" .'"- E
ALAS! I am but too well aware thai
I have forfeited all right to ask favort
Of you, Viscountess!" no pleaded, "bui
I know your generous nature so vel
that l am embroidered to cast myseli
upon you mercy" F@ :
You flatter mel" she cried, with hel
dazzling smile. What can my gen.
srosity and mercy do for Lord Beach
combe?" ~ ..-.q ...s. ..N. 49,.
II scarcely know, IT'S but an idea
a mere catching at a straw. Still,
have Teen eredibly informed that yol
were decoyed last night to the den o
Robin FreemantTe. the highway rob,
Der, whence, with Unparalleled courage
you rescued the queens necklace
Surely" she interrupted, with some
kimpatience, her majesty's necklace
car not be your private family AT
Ifair?'t ~.
He laughed ~explosively. Us nothing
sacred to you, Lady Prudence? j onl,
wishea-to felicitate you upon your mos
remarkable adventure, and It's brillian
result. and to implore You TO tell me !
you found any papers or documents u
the--the place where h necklace wa
II hidden."
Il I'D .~re IN ~ AnD