The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-04-17

pike keeper. She was silent for sheer
lack Of words to dc justice to the sit
uation.
There is an alternative that will re-
lieve you of all embarrassment" said
Sir Godfrey, after a sufficiently lons
pause to allow her to realize the hor-
ror of her dilemma. My coach is not
many yards away, and If you Will no
honor me by accepting my escort to
Tunbridge, permit me, at least, to carry
you to the nearest p~ost-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 heeled slippers, and
wondered how far they would support
her along that rough, uneven 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, h raised her lively
eyes s~earchingly to his and though, in
their clear depths he could read a hun
dred swift suspicious, he met their
scrutiny without flinching.
Sir Godfrey" she said, after a brief
pause, Il thank you 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-
nit me to seek it's shelter until a chaiSe
can be sent to me-"
Your lack of confidence wounds and
astonishes me, Lady Prudence" he re-
piled, with bitterness. After my long
devotion and the VOWS that nave been
exchanged between US, it is strange
that you should impose restrictions
upon me that would sound injurious to
a stranger. But 1 submit-as l have
always done-to o u 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
chaise having been safely bestowed, Sir
Godfrey took his seat beside her, his
valet returned to the rumble and they
drove off, leaving the p~ost-boys to
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 his proof
that the short cut was not, as she
mad feared, an unfrequented by-road,
she relaxed her austerity and was soon
chattering with her natural vivacity.
Sir Godfrey was not slow to respond
TO her friendly mood, which he mis-
LOOK for a sign that her fears were
allayed and that her inveterate coquet-
~, 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
over again to his lips. Then growing
holder still. he attempted to draw her
closer and clasp her in his arms.
Let me go. Sir Godfrey, you are
taking a d~astardly advantage of mel"
she cried. repulsing him with all her
your setting me down instantly! II
L cannot walk. I car wait or 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. 1 have
man can be expected to brook with
patience You are in my power, sweet
est Prue! A lucky chance has given
you to my arms, and if were to let
you go now, 4 should deserve to lose
you forever"
You lost me-" cried Prue. t day
you gave me to Robin Freemantle.
Now I belong to him: before God and
man. I am his Wife"
"Tush! a felon-a gallows-bird!" cried
Sir Godfrey angrily. Let me hear no
more Of that farce. 1 believe the man
is dead; but If not so in fact, he is
dead to the law, and you are free
free dearest IN rpalo n a -horr, o~5
to be as happy yourself as the truest,
fondest lover woman ever la can
make you when he Is your devoted
husband. Come, my lear Prue, throw
aside these coy humors and be your
w sweet self once more-the adorable
"Oh, spare me these r%aptures!" pro-
tested Prue. Even ones own praises
become wearisome by repetition. In
very truth / am too tired to enjoy your
conversation this evening, Sir Godfrey.
tomorrow, If you are in Tunbridge.
journey, we will discuss this matter
n settle 1t finally. For the present,
i beg of o not to disturb me until
we reach the post house; my head is
dizzy and / ache from head to foot,
and I fam would rest me-"
i grteve to discompose you. dear
est, but tomorrow will be too late to
discuss our marriage-though not, I
hope, the happiness it Will have
brought us. / have a special license
in my pocket and there is no reason
that know of why 1t should not be
used tonight"
Prue sat up so suddenly that Sir
Godfrey thought she was going to
jump out of the carriage n laid a
OBTAINING la upon her arm. She
attempted. blu unsuccessfully, to re-
lease herself.
Continued Next week.)