The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1913-01-30

stopped at last and / descended I'M a
dark and muddy street, where / fol-
lowed my conductor afoot to q lonely
house, apparently uninhabited."
"Prudence--you reckless girl--you
ventured into such a place alone and
unprotected" exclaimed the duchess.
excited to such a pitch by the story
that she absolutely forgot its reference
to herself. What madnessl"
s"ohl thar is nothing to what I would
have done, Il necessary for--for your
grace's sake" cried Prue. but ] som
fess that all my devotion was needed to
keep up my courage. Inside b house
my situation was even more terrifying.
All was dark n empty-it seemed
the very place for secret deeds Of hor-
ror--yet no attempt was made to harm
me: not a living creature appeared ex-
cept the person who wrote this mes
sage and who. without any ado, placed
this in my hand and begged me to take
1t away"
Having arrived at the climax OF her
story. Prue drew forth the emblazoned
casket and displayed the diamond neck
lace.
The duchess snatched it from her
and gazed at it with e~ntranced eyes.
She flung her arms about Prue, calling
her a heroine and a marvel, and the
truest friend woman ever had.
ANY one but you would have gone
straight to the queen and left me to
my fate. There ere those about that
paid mighty high for such a chance
Of humillating me. What eward did
the robber demand, and how did you
satisfy him2'
There was no robber; only an old
woman said Prue, whipping out her
carefully planned lie without a rem
Tor. II know not how she came by IL,
but she asked for no reward and only
seemed to wish to be rid OF IL. In
/ deed, there was no time for me to
ask an explanation, II h had n to
give, for at the very moment when
the casket was in my hands. there
arose "a hubbub in the street outside
and the house was surrounded by sol
diers. The old woman. disappeared as
IL by magic. and when the soldiers
broke into the Don / was aloneI nor
could they find any trace OF her,
though they battered the place TO
pieces" y .s~ s@H
she shall be found and compelled
to give up her accomplish cried the
duchess fariously. Soldiers surround
the house and yet the miscreant es-
capped. Pretty soldiers, ~forsooth."
Yes, truly" cried Prne. And more
than that--they arrested poor little me
because l was all alone there with
the queens diamonds; think Of that.
= AAeAN ~ 10 wv NSNAR N vi oPELlnAAlk liz
night in Jail. However, my tears and
entreaties prevailed upon them to
bring me here, and all that remains
to be done is to dismiss my captors
and permit me TO take my leave of
your grace" III. ".
Not so fast, Prue; you have still
something TO do for me-" said the
duchess. ~ must hasten to the queen
and you must go with me-, and repeat
what you have Just told me. Marie
Ahce--leaye OF chattering and tire me
with all despatch. / must see the queen
without a moments loss OF time
Surely; tbs too late tonight" re-
monstrated Prue, who was sinking
with fatigue. Her majesty win have
retired. ~ mr 4 III IS ..u zs
That's o matter retorted the
duchess arrogantIy. II am still Mis-
tress of the Robes, and by virtue of
my office entitled TO enter the queens
bed chamber at all hours OF day or
night. You must accompany me-. and
repeat your story, else / might be dis
credited by the reptiles who are ever
at the royal ear, poisoning poor, faith
full Mrs. Morley's mind against her
once beloved Mrs. Freeman. Come, L
am ready" "As
AS they descended by a private stair
case to take the carriage, the groom
of the chambers approached, and def
erenttally inquired what was to be
done with the Viscountess Brooke's
military escort.
Faith, tits the honest soldier who
wanted to hale me Off to JAIL cried
Prue in reply to the duchess look of
surprised inquiry. He came prepared
to arrest a houseful or robbers or con-
~spir9tors--he seemed uncertain Just
which-and finding me alone. with the
queens necklace in my hand, would
have taken me to prison If I had not
coaxed him to bring me to you first.
II I might venture to suggest that
your grace bid him attend us, he can
corroborate my story, IL needfuI."
Let him come" the duchess COM
mandSd. s"I would i had 100 witnesses
that II va not found in Marlborough
house. ;"