The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-04-17

pike keeper. She was silent for sheer
lack OF words to do justice TO the sit
uation.
There Is an Alternative that win re-
lieve you Of all embarrassment" said
Sir Godfrey, after a sufiiciently long
pause to allow her to realize the hor-
ror OF her dilemma, my coach is not
many yards away, n IL you will not
honor me by accepting my escort to
r ar q permit rs, lat Least; T. carry
doubt you can obtain a c~onveyance 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
Geoffrey had deposited her and a lit
tie cry escaped her. Though unin-
jured in the breakdown. h was shak-
en- and bruised, mi would have fallen
had not Sir Godfrey caught her in his
arms, from which she extricated herself
with great promptness. Drawing back
pace or two, she raised her lively
eyes searchingly to his and though, in
their clear depths he could read a. hun
dred swift suspicious. he met their
scrutiny without ,hinching.
Sir Godfrey" h said, after q brief
pause, IT hank you for your offer. and
accept YOU escort as far as the post
house, on condition that IL we should
pass I'M decent cottage, you will per-
init me to seek its 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 n the vows that have been
exchanged between us, II is strange
that you should impose restrictions
upon me that would sound Injurious to
q stranger. But / submit-as I have
Il q xsra w. %
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 n the other contents OF the
chaise having been safely bestowed, Sir
Geoffrey took his seat beside her, his
valet returned to the rumble and they
drove OF, leaving the post boys to
patch mp the damaged vehicle and con-
vey 4. as best they might, to the near
CHANGING back, Prue observed with
satisfaction that another carriage had
come into view, following the same
lroad. Greatly relieved at this proof
that the short cut was not an she
had feared, an unfrequented by-road.
Il 6AAO hVAA0Co AAG &hGkCIllI III .WA6s HOOHa
chattering with her natural vivacity.
Sir Godfrey was not slow to respond
to her friendly mood, which he mis-
took for a sign that her fears were
allayed and that her inveterate eoQuet-
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 ito moderate. He
seized her hands, and, regardless OF
her struggles, pressed them over and
over again to his lips. Then growing
closer and clasp her in his arms.
Let me 60, Sir Geoffrey, you are
taking q d~astardly advantage of mel"
she cried, repulsing him with all her
strength. Release met I insist upon
your setting me down instantly! III
I cannot walk, I a 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 fortunes. I have
endured more from you than mortal
mas 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 Ii I we're to let
you go now, I should deserve 20 lose
you forever"
You lost me- cried Prue. ".the day
you gave me to Robin Freemantle.
Now I belong to him; before God and
man, / am his wife"
eTushi a felon-a gallows-bird!s cried
Sir Godfrey angrily. Let me ear no
more Of that farce. / believe the man
is dead; but IL not 30 in fact, he Is
dead to h law and you are free
free, dearest, to- make me happy and
to be as happy yourself as the truestI
fondest lover woman ever a "a
make you when he Is your devoted
husband. Come, my dear Prue. throw
aside these coy hurnors and be you
own sweet self once more-the adorable
creature---" "a
"Oh, spare ME these raptures!" pro-
tested Prue. Even ones own praises
become wearisorne by repetition. In
very truth / am too tired to enjoy your
conversation this evening, Sir Godfrey.
Tomorrow, IL you are I'm Tunbridge,
and / am rested after this wearisome
journey, we VIII discuss this matter
and settle II finally. For the present.
I beg OF you not to disturb ms until
we each the post house; my head is
dizzy and I ache from head TO foot,
and I fain would rest me-"
81 grieve to discompose you, dear
est, but tomorrow will be too late to
discuss our marriage-thongh not, I
hope, the happiness 1t will have
brought us. / nave a special license
in my pocket and there ii no reason
that I know OF why 1t should not be
used tonight"
Prue sat up 80 suddenly that Sir
Godfrey thought she was going to.
jump out OF the carriage and laid a
attempted, but unsuccessfuHy, TO re-
lease herself. =
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