The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-02-20

Lord Beachcombe o 1t up, and
slowly unfolding 1t, read 1t carefully,
umph. that struck a sudden chill to
Prue's heart. From his breast he drew
a letter addressed to The Right Hon
orable Lord Beachcombe. AT Rodney
House, Saint James Park. London
and placing the two papers side by
side, contemplated them with vindic-
tive satisfaction.
There can be no further doubt" he
said. See for yourself, V~iscountess, the
writing is identical"
She looked. and had some difficulty
in maintaining her indifference. Fur
ious at herself for having given
Beachcombe an opportunity to confirm
his suspicious, she had just enough
self-command left to see that 1t was a
case of quf s'excuse s'accuse, and that
any attempt at explanation would only
plunge her into an ineXtricable tangle
of falsehood. So she merely remarked.
in as casual a tone as she could as
sumo, La me! how %curiousi" and
stretched out her hand for her own
document.
Beachcombe withheld it. Pray per
nit me to retain this. Lady Prudence
he entreated. 1T is an important piece
of evidence
More important to me than to your
lordship." she retorted sharply. BE
good enough to return it to me!" and
I t' AiS I'll SiS II
from his grasp. exclaiming with an
angry laugh. Evidently the liking for
other peoples private papers runs in
the blood of the De Cliffes."
With a savage scowl, Lord Beach
combe half rose from his seat. But
Prue had already recovered from her
squirt of passion, and with the prettiest
deprecating gesture and the most al
Turing smile she could call up at a mo-
ments notice. she stemmed the tide of
his wrath.
oh! forgive me, Lord Beachcombe,"
she said sweetly. Il am not used to
be so cross questioned and my temper.
as you know well, is none of the most
patient. Do not let us quarrel over
such a tritie as a fancied resemblance
between two scraps of writing"
Tis no fancied resemblance, Lady
Prudence" a Beachcombe doggedly.
Then if 1T is a real one, would it not
De better for us to see o we can
turn 1T to our mutual advantage, thar
to wrangle over itc" she suggested.
Beachcombe's brow cleared at her
conciliatory tone, and his half awak-
ened suspicious melted under the in
tuence of a sweet and beaming smile.
There is nothing easier than to turn
1t TO our Advantage and his destruction,
dear Fiscountess, If you will be guided
BY me-" he said eagerly. IF Captain
Freemantle should make another at
tempt to see you-as / feel convinced
he will-surely woman's wit can man
age to bring us face to face, or at least
to let me know where he is to be found.
l am convinced that l could show him
excellent reasons for giving up those
papers. which would prove danger
ously compromising-to him-if dis
discovered in his possession. You could
Secure yourself from further molesta-
ton and promote the ends of Justice
in this way, and place me under a life
long obligation"
And how about Captain Free
mantle?" suggested Prue. would his
obligation to me also be lifelong?"
"Why-no doubt" he replied, with a
sinister smile.
We'll. Lord Beachcombe," said Prue,
with a charming smile, 81 will give
your message to this knight of the road
when | see him-and I doubt not he
Will wait upon your lordship to receive
the benefits you are SO anxious to be-
stow upon him. Oh! you need not
thank me" Che had no intention of do
ing 500 Il am always glad to oblige
an old friend. And pray do not hurry
away; / hear the voice of my gossip.
Barbara Sweeting, and presently the
rest of London will flock round me to
repeat what every one Is saying about
me, and find out something new to tell
in their turn. You, who have given
me SO much information, can help me
to entertain them"