The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-02-20
CHAPTER xI-tcontinued.>

She checked herself quickly, though
not quite unobseryed. Beachcombe, OF
course, did not suspect anything SO
p]reposterous as that Prue could be IN
terested in the highwayman, beyond
the fact that he had made her the
heroine Of a successful escapade, but
her change of c~ountenance, slight as
It was, and her gesture. though IN
stantly diverted to a reimbursement OF
the rose at her breast, did not escape
his keen eye.
You recognize the superscription? ?"
he suggested insinuatingly. You saw
the packet in his hands, perhaps? If
So"
IF so," she interrupted quickly,
you have little chance of recovering
it, since it's said he was drowned last
night"
'"If 1 could only believe that true"
he exclaimed fiercely. But no; he es-
capped: there can be no doubt of that;
in fact, l have reason to know
ITO know that he Is safe,'' she cried
in a thrilling accent OF unmistakable
10Y. oh. heaVen"-then suddenly she
remembered that this man was his
enemy and desired his death. She
stopped short n then went on hur,
riedly, conscious that she had betrayed
herself-"is It possible that this-this
miscreant is still alive and at lib
erty?"
He looked at her obviously, but al
though a growing suspicion that she
was acting a part disturbed him, II
did not yet enlighten' him with any
ray of the truth. .,.. O.. "
II am as sure OF 1t, as / am that
he pursued you at the ball, under
cover of my domino--and. for his pun
ishment, fell in love with you." he
said boldly
Fell in love with me-" cried Prue
It,lnE,F,lI, Aoafn uipO How do va
you suggest such presumption"
The fellow certainly does not lack
presumption" replied Beachcombe,
land as to his having fallen in love
with you, did he no prove his in
~fatuation by, surrendering his priceless
booty for the sake OF seeing you once
more. even at the peril OF his life?
Believe me, lear Viscountess, the man
who will risk so much, will risk still
more; YOU have o seen the last of
Captain Frcemantle."
"You think not?" cried Prue. What
do you suppose he will do next?"
Probably he will repeat the tactics
that he a already pursued with such
enviable success" said the earl, with
q scarcely perceptible sneer. and send
ore ot his followers to your ,ladyship
to beseech another interview \ or per-
haps he will come to you himself
Heaven forbid" cried Prue. Il trust
lie VIII uol attempt any liiNb So-su
a~udacious.' -"
or the contrary. my dear lady
replied Beachcombe blandly, "if you
will be guided by me, 1 think we can
turn this fellows impudence to our
mutual advantage. / most sincerely
trust that he will come or send "a
you. because nov he has been
routed out OF his house by
the river side we no longer know
where he Is hiding. He Is not like
TO return there, but gentlemen of his
profession har many haunts, and HAY.
ing induced your Iadyship TO visit one
of them, he will, no doubt, try an,
other" . !
You seem to forget that there 1,
only one queens necklace" h criet
i~ncautiOusly. Then. conscious OF hel
indiscretion. she added with too eagel
precipitation, Besides. Robin Free
mantle had nothing to do with my vist
to that house; ! was guided there
BY a messenger sent by him, as
understand" interrupted Beachcombe
It's no secret that you ladyship wa
induced by means OF a letter."
Secret! should think not" sh'
cried petulantly, tossing tile letter up
on the table beside him. All the tow
seems talking about IL, and all tn,
world may read IL, for aught I care
/ defy the most Ingenious scandal
! monger to make anything out OF ~"