Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-03-28
Do YOU wonder that / kissed

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 kline words to no.
tice anght else. Yet she warned me
that my love for YOU is hopeless, and
indeed she Is right. ! must leave Eng
land i'm a few hours, perhaps for
ever
And what right has Barbara to
think our love other than hopeless?
She knows nothing about it. i nave a
god mind cried Prue, ito tell her
all and see what she a then. But
no! she would think me Il fool for
throwing myself away on a man who
loves me so little that he can bear to
talk of leaving me for d day, let alone
forever"
II love You more than my own life
ana soul. said Robin more than any
lhilnS except honor and duty; but their
call dare not disobey. My life does
not heiong to myself. but to the cause
pl my King. and a felon's death may
cha 1T at any moment. 1t would be
infamous for me to hold you bound by
solch II marriage AS OURS"
ID YOU know me so little as to sup
pose that would hold myself bound
retorted. II did think you loved me,
but 1 see it is not go: a man who loved
me would fling discretion to the winds
n busy himself with plans for keep
ing me whether l would or no. Out
on such scruples! I will not be set
about u marriage. the infamy is mine
and l take the -nsequence and glory
IN them. Leave me now, if honor and
duty call you. We are young and who
knows what may happen? The king
VINO calls you away now, will bring you
L hack In frilYyp nj, ~rn0 J4Vv
haps. ii may be Beachcombe's turn to
be hunted and driven from his coun-
try Then suddenly remembering the
cause OF Lord Beachcombe's fierce pur-
suit, she brought out the little packet,
somewhat crumpled, but otherwise in
tact. ! had almost forgotten to re-
turn this" She said; Il found it after
You had escaped by the river on Tues
day n methfnkS it's for this he seeks
YOU"
Robin took the packet and glanced
at .ne superscription Ills indeed
fell into your hands instead of his.
Prithe keep 1T, dear one: there is that
IN this envelope in exchange for which
Beachcombe would give all his earthly
possessions and mayhap. some day
when I am not here to protect you, it
may be worth much to you to hold the
secret that compelled him to take me
out or NeWgate and has kept him
thirsting for my life ever since.
Il ann but a weak woman" said Prue.
smiling archly, as she replaced the
precious packet in her BOSOM. Can
you trust me with such a secret?'
Ills the secret Of my BIRTH said
Robin, gravely. and belongs as much
to my wife as to me-"
II discovered that secret for myself
this afternoon" Prue began, but Bar
bara, thinking she had given the lovers
i annie time tn \ 10 M thn{w ~,,,-.~l
nov came back on hospitable thoughts
intent. and the trio, in a very pleasant
mood. sat down to supper
1t was long past midnight when
Prue. after several fainthearted sug-
gestions. at last rose resoIutely and
announced that she really must 20
home. and refusing Barbara's urgent
offer of her now sedan chair, declared
she would have Robins escort and
walk the short distance to Lady Drum
loch's house.
1T will be safer for him to come
away now, than to wait until daylight
she said.
1T would be safest. 1 think. for him
to stay here for a few days." Barbara
proposed seriously. But the mutinous
pout, and glance of arch defiance with
which Prue received her suggestion.
provoked her to hearty laughter, and
she received Robins thanks for her
protection and the farewells OF both
her guests with an air of such thor
ough comprehension that Prue felt
constrained to whisper in her ear, II
will come to confession tomorrow, dear
Gossip" and blushingly hurried away
or Robins arm.
Late as 1t a they fingered on tho
Eway and managed to exc 10 minutes
walk into 40. Robin had 80 much to
say-so many vows of eteranl fidelity
to pledge, and such repeated assur-
ances to give of his swift return-that
1t was not until a nearby church clock
struck 2, that Prue quickened her steps
a little and declared with a. sigh that
the parting moment had really come.
You vol be careful, dear Robin" she
pleaded. DO not run any risks and IL
we cannot meet again safely before
you leave for France, write me by some
sure hand and I will do the same. Re-
member forbid you to attempt to
visit me-but, h I shall coun the
hours until I see o again."
With the prospect of q long and per-
haps fatal parting, their farewells were
not. soon over; each last kiss was but
IN excuse for one more. until the
tramp OF the approaching nightwatch
warned them of the danger Of delay,
and Prue o r herself from his arms
and without trusting herself to q back.
ward glance, hurried into the house.
CHAPTER XIV.
A CONFESSION.
1t wa Peggte who, after some hours
anxious watching. Opened the door