The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-13

would unclose under the influence OF
the repeated bumpers.
Boy" he called to the attendant,
another bottle shall it be the same,
Parson2' -. HE'
This is fair, but they've a better
one" replied Goodridge, smacking his
lips.
Bring us a bottle of the best you
hage," Aarons ordered, and when il
came he filled both glasses and pro
posed the health of the beautiful Wis
countess, and a rich husband for her.
Again Goodridge laughed, and this
time with such ~rapturous glee that
Aarons was quite ~confounded. ''@
What a merry fellow you are, Par
son." he grunted. IRA give a guinea
to know what you are laughing at"
"A guinea" cried Goodridge. "You
would give more than that, I'll war
rant. / was thinking that there's no
more chance for Sir Godfrey Beaude-
sert than there is-for-you, for ex-
ample-or me-"
You think not?" queried Aarons,
passing over the personal application
OF the remark with a mental reserva-
ton. =
Il know it," said Goodridge, with
tipsy solemnity. IN take my path
on it,"
your oath may be priceless" said
Aarons, but l can only pay for proof"
And what said Goodridge, setting
down his empty glass, may you be
willing to pay for proof that Sir Geof-
Lady Prudence?"
Aarons eyed him warily. IT have a
judgment against you, Parson, for E43
and costs. l will Vacate the Judgment
and give you five guineas. It's a lib
eral offer for! know not what"
For answer the, reverend gentleman
leaned across the table and extending
his right hand within a few inches Of
Aaron's nose, snapped his fingers half
a dozen times.
That for your Judgment he shout
ed truculently, I'm in the Rules for
life and you can neither keep me in
nor let me out. Why, man, I've a score
or Judgments against me, and If YOU
Nacated yours / should be no better
on; nay, worse, for it might remind
the creditors who have long since for
gotten me. No, no, most excellent
money lender, my secret may be worth
nothing or 1t may be worth much.
but only cash al buy it-ready cash"
Aarons with a scowling brow, re-
hected. Was 1t worth a large sum to
break off the match between those two
Aeadstrong young people? If Goodridge
was TO be believed, the marriage was
impossible, and no expenditure of HI.
oeloVed gold was needed to prevent It.
On the other hand. the triumph OF prov
ing to Prue some hidden treason of
Sir Geoffrey's allured him, and the
possibility that she might avenge her
self by taking another and Weather.
husband, included the probability. NJ
mat other husband being the one TO
enhghten her and offer himself as the
ready instrument OF retaliation.
VIII give you 10 guineas cash." he
ala after a pause.
When you know my secret, you will
think it cheap at 10 times 10 g~uineas,"
said Goodridge.
Aarons rose and began to button his
surtout. Il see" he said, that we are
not like to agree, and as my time is
valuable you will excuse me If I leave
you TO finish the bottle alone" AS he
spoke, he allowed some loose coins
to rattle in his pocket, and in paying
the reckoning. pulled out a handful OF
golden guineas and tossed one to the
waiter. say
The sight Of the money produced the
effect he had expected. Goodridge's
moist eyes glistened and his lips pursed
Aarons," he said thickly." and have a
parting glass"
With an air OF reserve and Ill humor
the usurer poured a small quantity Of
wine into his glass and without resum-
Ing his seat nodded to his guest. and
something hat might have
oeen eltnef a toast or a m~alediction,
slipped 1t with a deprecatory. express,
sion. p
Come, now" said Goodridge, after
waiting vainly for him to renew the |
negotiation, what is 1t really worth
to you to stop this marriage?"
1t may not be worth a great deal |
me-" said Aarons carelessiy. but he |
GOWN. 'VnII nnNynr = 4
vagaries. II / get her out OF
affair, she may do worse instead |
better"
"She can't do worse chuckIed Good
ridge. But Aarons had not the kew to
his merriment and all his suspicious
were centered on some objectionable
misdeed of the bridegroom-e lect.
Were you going to tell her so when
[ met you at her house ?" hi INQUIRED.
grimly. What do you ex-
pect to get from herr"
That's my business" he retorted. But
| wasn't going to offer her any secrets
for sale. oh! no, the Lady Prudence
Is my good friend, and il I need a few
.guineas, she's too kind hearted to re-
fuse me-"
Suddenly II dawned upon AaronS that
there was something sinister in the sit
a woman like the Viscountess
Brooke was not the friend Of such a
aplC "ESlCn IOT mere Kln0IlneSS.
He felt that whatever the price, he
must know the whole truth, If this man
could be induced to tell it. ~
VIII you take 20 guineas for your
hne secret" he asked with a sheer.
No. but I'll take so and give you full
said Goodridge. IT haven't the /
proofs here, but I'll tell you the secret
for half the money and you shall give
the rest, when 1 give you the proofs.
a loss to me-" he half whimpered,
for II I kept the secret and used 1t
right, ] might live well on it as long as
It remained a secret"
Aarons ounte out % gold coins
upon the table. and covered them with
his hand. Now" he said, there is half
your price, and II you can give me a
satisfactory reason why Sir Geonrey
cannot. by any possibility,
Lady Prudence Brooke, that
money Is yours, and as much more
when have proofs. But If you are de-
ceiv1ng me, beware! I am not a man
be trifed with"
Sir Godfrey Beaudesert cannot mar
ry Lady Prudence Brooke for the very
good reason that she is already mar
ried'" Goodridge whispered, leaning
across the table with his mouth at
Aarons' ear.
The usurer started back and his face
became black with fury. Lady Pru-
dence married." he exclaimed.
"Sh-sh-sh!" Goodridge glanced
round apprehensively: don't blurt it