The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-06

"What! WITHOUT searching the
house9' interrupted Prue trenchantly;
II should advise you not to miss an
opportunity that may not recur.
Lord Beacheombe drew himself up
with a grieved air. 81 merely wished
to withdraw n remark that might, be
displeasing to you, Viscountess. IL
would grieve me beyond expression to
offend you. If, in my excitement, / APP
peared incredulous, II was not that 4
presumed to doubt our word. but
that / found Ii hard to believe that
Fate would have played me so scuTyy
a trick" ~. Az. a#
Prue accepted his apologies with a
dignified GOODNESS that left him no ex-
cuse for prolonging his visit, so he de-
parted. much c~restfallen, but far from.
being convinced. While he was dis
missing his followers with a none too
liberal douceur, an elderly man at
tired with rich simplicity, saluted him
unobtrustively. Beachcombe stared
after him az he disappeared into the
house, at first not recognizing the
somewhat plebeian figure, then mutter-
ing, What Is that old Jew doing
here| drove away. pondering on the
~strangeness of Prue's visitors n the
atmosphere of mystery with which she
had surrounded herself. s-'' \
Could he have penetrated the actual
motive of Mr.. Aaron's visit, his sur
prise would have grown into amaze
IueuL, IOT surely HO greater LTlDuJS 10
the versatility of Prue's charms could
be offered than the fact that they had
brought Mr.. Aarons to her feet. AT
least 80 Of his so years had been
spent in the exclusive pursuit
Of wealth. Pleasure he only
merely a curious spell under which
men became utterly reckless of conse-
quences and unhesitatingly bartered
their present possessions and future
prospects for the means of dazzling a
silly woman or purchasing a worthless
one. That it brought easy prey into his
net was the only thing he knew in its
favor, and it must be acknowledged
that his late proposal of marriage to
the Viscountess Brooks was not
prompted by any sentiments loftier
than those he so contemptuously dis
paraged.
He knew her to be thoughtless and
been the invariable result of losses at
the card table, or debts equally press
ing n improbable. Such gossip about
her as reached his ears. reused his de-
rision which her frequent matrimonial
entanglements certainly did not abate.
Yet he was no more capable OF resist
ing her fascination than any butterfly
Of the court. and although his d~eclara-
ton had been to some extent unpre-
meditated, he was resolved, now he had
offered his hand to the Widow Brooke
to lose no time n spare no effort to
win her acceptance. - T, T3.B
He had waited a week, trusting that
her necessities would drive her back to
him. u hearing of her triumphant re-
turn to court, n her startling adj
ventures later. decided to wait no long
er. Therefore 1t was that, armed with
what he believed to be an Irresistible
argument In his favor, ne presented
himself at Lady Drumloch's door at
the very moment of Lord Beachcombe's
hasty exit.
Prue and Peggie were in earnest con
sultation on no less important a sub
ject than h imminent explanation
with Lady Drumloch, who, after the
revelations of the afternoon, would. GER
tainly require a prompt and thorough
enlightenment. That she would be
deeply ~seandalized by the truth. YET
was too shrewd to be put off with any
evasion, the cousins were quite aware,
and their consultation was as to the
form their confession should take,
rather than any form Of coacealmert
or prevarication. 4
When James announced that Mr..
IAarons" was below and besought ar
Faudience Of the V~iscountess Brooke,
Prue was not quite sure whether this
interruption was a welcome respite or
a tiresome delay. RI
"Aaronsl" exclaimed Peggie. What
brings him here?" Then, lowering her
voice, Can he be coming to pay his
court to you, Prue?" ,@ -,
II know not" returned Prue, shrug-
ging her shoulders. Il should scarce
have imagined that he would presume
to present himself here. Well, bid Mr..
Aarons conie up. James; we willtre-
ceive him here"
Wei" laughed Peggie, making for
the door. Il have no wish to see him,
1 A.I r -. a..A - $500 LA--
on my account" And h decamped
without giving her cousin time to re-
monstrate. Il
Prue greeted the money lender in her
stateliest manner, n entrenchtng her
self behind the little tea table. re-
Quested him to be seated. .s.t
This Is indeed q surprise" she said.
Il should never have supposed that the
busy Mr.. Aarons had time to spare for
visiting" .. -.s.
You are right. Viscountess. 1 never,
bin my life, made a visit without ar
tobject," he replied, but the busiest OF
men may discover that there are other
things in life besides business. l. fol
example. have discovered that youth,
beauty and observation-disclosures as
~yours-may outvalue wealth and pow
er-such as mine" "
You are mistaken, Mr.. Aarons." said
Prue, in a moralizing tone. Youth Is
- ~~N 40 wv onAA NSOp oAAN
Observation-Disclosures Is mine-are
apt to lead their possessor into mischief
Of more kinds than you wot Of"
!, Most mischief a be repaired by
money" said Aarons i~nsinuatingly
and what cannot be achieved by
youth, beauty and accomplishment
with unlimited wealth to boot? You
dear V~iscountess, have gone far without
, money. Think what you could aspire
! to with more than you could spend Il
, you tried your HARDEST"
! why tantalize me with such vi
: sions%" cried Prue. Then suddenly re
/ calling the motive OF her last visit t.
: the money lender, she added malicious.
ly, "Sir Godfrey, according to o will
|. not be likely to test my extravaganza
r so, severely
t'Sir Geoffrey!" exclaimed, with
: frown. III Is no match for your lady
ship. o have but to wait q few
a weeks for the dissolution OF parliamen
n to see him lu.uriously lodged In hi
0 town mansion OF the Queens Bench
r Be warned by me, Viscountess, unIes
you wish to share his lodging
s You mean that I, also, may be ar
rested for debit" she retorted with dis
O Idain. IF / remember Alright, yo'
threatened me with debtors prisol
d t'other day." N
II threatened you, Lady P%rudenceI
I cried Aarons, in a horrified tone. 'Nev
er, neyerl Besides, your debts to IN
are amply secured and my confidenc
In YOUR Ia SO great that