The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-01-16

But hasten" she interrupted, listen
Ing attentively n holding up her
hand to silence him. II know who you
are n that you are concerned in
Jacobite plots. Soldiers will surround
the house n you will be arrested and
taken to the Tower as a traitor. You
have very little time to
he glanced at some papers on the
table and began to gather them up and
conceal them about him. In doing this,
he uncovered a jewel-case Of purple
velvet embroidered in gold with the
royal arms.
Prue uttered a faint Shrek and COW
cred her eyes, as If to shut out the
sight that confirmed her worst fears.
oh; Robin!" she gasped. THE
queens necklace"
Was it the ~queen's?" he replied
carelessly. We'll, now 1t is yours, If
you care to have it." He opened the
case n displayed the diamonds fash
ing like a string Of fire. MY faithl
the gems are gorgeous; they will look
vel! on the peerless neck Of my beau
tiful Prue."
I wear the queens diamonds! You
must be mad! What possessed you to
take them? Oh, I hoped so that 1t was
a mistake and that you were innocent
of this"
Innocent Of what? Do you really
think | stole the necklace? NY dear
Lady Prudence, I am a highwayman
when occasion serves, but / am not a
thief. Last night, on the kings busi-
ness. ! waylald the wrong man. and all
l got Tor my pains was this fine casket
which l opened until now. EVIL
IDENTIFY l robbed the thief, confound
him! and the papers I was commanded
to secure are God knows where!"
oh! Robin, I am SO gladl" she
cried They said Robin the highway
man was at his tricks again, and had
stolen the queens necklace from Marl-
borough House, and oh, I was SO
ashame to think such a thing could
be said of-my husband!"
she half turned away, murmurinp
the last words so softly that only the
ears or love could nave caught them.
on! Prue-ansel-is 1t really pos
husband? Oh! I know there has been
an empty ceremony which meant moth
ing to you, and to me only vain long
ing and a mad dream of unattatnable
happiness; but what a fool I ami! OF
course / ought to have understood that
you fear to be brought to shame IL It
should be suspected hat the thief Of
the queens necklace is your"
Prue's eyes flashed and her little
high-heeled shoe tapped angrily on the
floor.
You are indeed a fool" she ex-
claimed. II do not know why T have
any patience at all with you. win
not offend me by %tarrying when I have
risked SO much to save your life
He started and flushed guilty. ssSel-
fish brute that I ami! I forgot the
danger to you. A thousand thanks,
dear Lady Prudence, for your warn,
ing. l Will profit by 1t when I have con-
Quoted you to safety"
You Will do NOTHING oF tha co~& ~
she retorted imperiously. when I ar
rived you were preparing to depart:
do so at once, for If you walt for the
house to be surrounded by the soldiers
1t will be too late. Even now, IL you
cave 1t alive, you may fall into an
the street2"
Yes; this room opens on a terrace
overlooking the river, and although I
believed myself safe in London for a
few days, | have a boat in readiness
IN case I should be forced to leave in
a hurry" said Robin. There are
hiding places in Southwark and Lam
beth where the queens whole army
might hunt a week for me In vain"
BE cautious then, for that may be
known to your enemies; and, above
all, be speedy"
While she was speaking. the door
was flung open abruptly and Steve
Larkyn-his fac blazing with fury
darted in.
you are betrayed, c~aptain!n he
calculated. This woman has brought
the soldiers with her. For the love Of
God, do not stop to listen to her, but
escape while there is time"
hear?" cried Prue, in a FRENZY.
600 Instantly! I command youi,'
What, go away and leave you
here to meet the soldiers alone7
Never!' said Robin, with a calm.
ness that contrasted strongly with the
excitement Of the others.
Then I will remain with you, and
when the soldiers come I will declare
that l helped o enter Marlborough
house, and show the diamonds to prove
That ! was your accomplish; nay, I win
say that my familiarity with the duch-
ess' apartments gave me access where
you could not have entered and that I
stole the diamonds and gave them to
you'll"
You will do this?" he gasped, ut
terly stupeaed.
II will; and IL necessary 1 will pro-
claim myself your wife and let them
think / q had my share in whatever
you are accused Of"
But why? In the name OF God, what
is the meaning Of this madness?"
She stretched out her arms to him
with a gesture Of utter self abandon-,
ment. TT means that I love you, Robin.
I o you, and would rather die with
you than live without you'll"
He caught her In his arms and
strained her to his breast with all the
pent-up passion Of his being in that
fervid embrace.
Leave you-now. my darling. my
hearts heart"