Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-04-25

enough TO send me q knight errant,
perhaps he will tell me where / am and
said Prue. not very graciously, for Sir
Geoffrey's presence was too opportune
to appear quite unpremeditated.
The next post-house.." he reflected.
"Post-boy, o far Is the next post
hOusew
-Four mile or ~thereabout. your hon
or" the man returned. beginning to un.
strap the valises.
rs there any inn or cottage
where 1 can wait while you take horse
to the post-house and fetch me another
chatse? ." inquired Prue. The man
scratched his head doubtfully, and
looked at Sir Godfrey as If for instruc-
tons.
Well. fellow. cannot you answer the
lady? You surely know what houses
of entertainment there are on the road
to Tunbridge," said Sir Godfrey.
There's a pike n mile or so ahead"
said the man. but tits no place for
lady to sit down ina bit of a wooden
cabin, and the pike keepers a rough
blade"
Prue's disrnay was unutterable. A
mile to walk along a rugged country
road in the dusk. and an indefinite per-
Tod OF waiting in the hut OF a turn
pike keeper. She was silent f%or~sheer
lack of words to do Justice to the sit
uation.
There is an alternative that will re-
lieve you of all embarrassment said
Sir Godfrey. after n sufficiently long
pause to allow her to realize the hor-
ror of her dilemma. My coach is not
many yards away. and if you will not
honor me by accepting my escort to
Tunbrtdge, permit me. at least, to carry
you to the nearest post-house. where no
doubt you can obtain a conveyance for
the rest of the journey
Prue looked down at her little feet In
their dainty. high hceled slippers, and
wondered how far they would support
her along that rough, never road. She
rose from the grassy bank where Sir
Godfrey had deposited her and a lit
tie cry escaped her. Though unin-
jured in the breakdown, she was shak-
en- and bruised, and would have fallen
had not Sir Godfrey caught her in his
arms. from which she extricated herself
with great promptness. Drawing back
a pace or two. she raised her lively
eyes s%earchingly to his and though. In
their clear depths he could e a hun
dred swift suspicious. he met their
scrutiny without %flinching.
Sir Godfrey" h said, after a brief
pause. Il thank o for your offer. and
accept your escort as far as the post
house. on condition that if we should
pass any decent cottage, you will per-
shAAk AAAS ~ NNsSn - 0htGANSk I'LL d Idl
can be e to me-"
Your lack'of confidence wounds and
astontshes me. Lady Prudence he re-
piled, with bitterness. After my long
devotion n the vows that have been
exchanged between us, 1t Is strange
upon me that would sound injurious to
a stranger. But I submit-as I have
always done-to your lightest caprice"
This Is no caprice" she returned.
with cold reserve; .my circumstances
are peculiar and I am bound to beware
OF appearances"
He bowed low and taking her hand
without further resistance led her to
his. chariot, upon which, the men were
already loading her valises. Her Jewel
box and the other contents of the
chafse having been safely bestowed. Sir
Godfrey took his seat beside her, his
valet returned to the rumble and they
patch up the damaged vehicle and con-
vey 1t. as best they might. to the near-
est inn.
CHANGING back, Prue observed with
satisfaction that another carriage had
come into view, following the Same
road. Greatly relieved at this proof
that the short cut" raj not, as she
had feared. an unfrequented by-road.
she relaxed her austerity and was soon
c~hattering with her natural ~vivacity.
Sir Godfrey was not slow to respond
to her friendly. mood, which he mis-
o for a sign hat her fears were
allayed and that her inveterate coouet-
ry, momentarily under severe restraint.
was ready for fresh development. His
tones soon became tender; and his eyes
glOwed with a passion that he no
longer attempted to moderate. He
seized her hands. and. regardless of
her struggles, pressed them over and
nN0H 00X - q 1.
bolde still. he attempted to draw her
closer and clasp her in his arms.
Let me go, Sir Godfrey. you ara
taking y dastardly advantage of me!'
she cried. repulsing him with all her
strength. Release me! ] insist upon
your setting me down instantly! II
l annot walk. I can wait on the road
side for some honest passerby-"
Never. dearest angel: never shall
you leave my arms until you promise
to put an end to my tortures. / have
endured more from you than mortal
man can be expected to brook with
patience You are in my power, sweet
you to my arms, and II ! wer to let
o &c now, l should deserve to lose
you forever"
You lost me- cried Prue. the day
you gave me to Robin Freemantle.
Now / belong to him; before God and
man. | am his wife"
.'Tush! a felon-a gallows-bird.,. cried
Sir Godfrey angrily. Let me heal no
more of that farce. l believe the man
is dead: but II not 10 in fact, ne 10
dead to the law. and you are free
free. dearest, to make me happy and
to be as happy yourself as the truest.
fondest lover woman ever had can
make you when he is your devoted
husband. Come, my dear Prue. throw
aside these coy huynOrS and be your
creature@
"Oh. spare me these r%aptures." pro-