The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-20

permission to inquire after her health
at an early hour next day, n re-
paired to his club, where he speedily
found distraction at the card table.
But Prue, tired as she was, had no
intention Of going home without one
more attempt to see Barbara, to whose
mansion in Park lane she was forth
with conveyed. Her friend was at
home and the servants, aware of the
intimate relations between he
two ladies, did not hesitate to admit
Prue. and inform her that supper was
then being served in the Painted Room.
a charming apartment, where Barbara
was in the habit of holding high revel-
ry with her closest intimates, and Civ
lng gay supper parties at which gam
bling for high stakes, Charades imi-
tated from the entertainments of the
French court n similar amusements
kept gossip on the Qui ViVe.
There was no gathering OF wits Inc
beauties tonight. however. The room
(Which took it's name from the myth
illogical paintings with which the cell
ing and walls were decorated was
brightly lighted, but unoccupied, and
in the small conservatory opening out
of 1T. at a little table set for two
among the banks Of blossoming plants
and cages Of bright hued birds, sat
Barbara coquetting with Robin Free
mantiC-highwayman and outlaw-who
was IN the very act Of raising her
hand to his lips when the door opened
to admit Prue.
MY dearest Prue, here you are at
last; l had almost given up expecting
you" cried Barbara, greeting her with
effusion.
Did you really expect me?" asked
Prue, with irrepressible irony. Meeting
you nowhere, l feared you might be in
disposed, but l am vastly relieved to
find that you reached home without
mishap"
Nothing could be more triumphant
~ successful than our escape" cried
Barbara, gayly ignoring Prue's lofti-
ness; and, as you see, 1 am taking
excellent care Of my captive"
Dearest Barbara. I know we'll what
an incompatible hostess you are" she
replied dryly, "and now that 1 have
seen for myself that you are safe,
and not too greatly incommoded by
your exploit. l will take my leave. as
l am positively sinking with fatigue"
And she made as though to withdraw
without ~delgning a second glance to-
ward Robin, who had risen, and stood
there a Veritable statue Of amazement
and modification.
But Barbara caught her by both
hands and drew her to the table.
Nonsense, Prue," she laughed. DO
you think l am going to let you run
orr like that? Sinking with fatigue in
deed! I'll warrant you will flutter
from a room to ball room for the
mex TWO hours II l do not keep you
here. Captain de Cliffe and I were
about to bore each other to death over
a tete-a-tete supper n you have come
ike a good fairy to preserve us from
yawning in each others face-(Prue
smiled ~satirically); at least sup with
me, dear Gossip; twill rest you more
than going home to bed"
My chair waits" Prue began
though not without signs of hesitation
| What matters that? 1t shall be dis
missed and I will send you home in
mine"
THE temptation of returning in such
state as that is well nigh irrepressi-
Bile" Prue conceded. feeling that she
had been sufficiently coaxed to do what
she particularly wanted to do without
sacrificing her dignity. She began to
unfasten the mantle in which she was
enYeloped, but when Robin sprang for
ward to assist her she allowed 1t to
drop to the floor and walked away,
leaving him to pick 1t up If he pleased.
You will stay. them" cried Bar
bara. That is delightful. I will or
der another cover and a bottle Of your
faVor1te Chambertin, and we will have
a little festival to wish your friend bon
voyage"
And she rustled away; more out of
compassion for Robins disconnected
aspect than the mere impulse of hospi-
tality.
Prue seated herself behind a bank of
towering shrubs, as far away as the
little conservatory would allow, and
AFTER a momentary hesitation, Robin
followed.
Have 1 been so unfortunate as to
inHIr mn Iiu1IaAz,-n,
inquired anxiously.
MY displeasure, sir? Certainly not"
she replied. What can it matter to
me how many ladies' hands you kiss ?'
At this Robin (whO, although a nov
ice in love. was no food was completely
relieved. He was even quite elated
over the little display Of jealousy
which proved that Prue was far from
Indifferent to him. when I am not
with you. dear Prue," he said in a
tone OF gentle reproach, my heart is
80 full OF you that it flows over with
gratitude to anyone who will but utter
your name. If you had heard what
Lady Barbara was saying about you,
you would not nave been surprised to
see me embrace her feet instead of
her hand"
What did she say?' asked Prue. her
curiosity overcoming her petulance.
She said many things in praise Of
the QedreSt CT women, said Robin,
taking courage to seat himself beside
her, but. best of all, she assured me
that not one of all your score Of suit
ors could boast of half the interest YOU
had shown today in the poor outlaw.
Do you wonder that l kissed her
hand ?"
Barbara is very indiscreet.'' said
Prue, smiling a little. Besides, she has
the most beautiful hands in the
world"
Are they beautiful? / was think
ing too much of her kind words to no
tice aught else. Yet she warned me
that my love for you is hopeless, and
indeed she Is right. / must leave Eng
land in a few hours. perhaps for
ever"
And what right has Barbara to
think our love other than hopeless?
h knows nothing about II! ! have a
good mind" cried Prue, "to tell her
all Int see what she says then. But
no! h would think me a fool for
throwing myself away IN a man who
loves me so little that he can bear to
talk Of leaving me for a day. let alone
forever"
Il love you more h my own life
n soul" said Robin. more than any
thing except honor and duty; but their
call I dare not disobey. My life does
not belong to myself, but to the cause
Of my king, and a felon's death may
end it at any moment. 1t would be
infamous for me to hold you bound by
such q marriage as ours"
NTAa -rN No. On lsNkln ne - $50