The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-06

Irestore the necklace you left in mycare.
Your court toilets must need diamonds
Ito set them of, though YOU do not
and At IS q pity to keep this hidden In
longer, In my strong box, where there
are maryland still finer ones, waiting
Ito adorn the loveliest OF her sex"
AS he spoke, he opened the case and
! displayed asnecklace Of fine diamonds.
Prue's wedding gift from her fatherin-
law, the Earl OF Overbridge. At this
sight, her eyes sparkled more brightly
than the gems, and her hand involun-
tarily stretched out toward the glitter
ing thing.
Aarons watched her with d sardonic
smile, In which triumph and admira-
ton ccntended with his innate con-
tempt for feminine wsakns mes a ana
said In q voice far less harsh than
usual, TT is yours. Only let me have
the pleasure OF seeing you wear IL"
The softening OF his tone reused
Prue with "a sort of shock. The scorn
and repulsion with which b had
vtyed, made sharper by an unfamiliar
touch OF shame. and she withdrew her
hand as though the GIFT had stung her.
Then, swift as thought, a bright glow
and sparkle sprang into her face and
she darted from the room, leaving
II AdINIlb LGAISIlA6u Will dII1dGct1GHl .L
He was still in the same position
leaning forward with the open Jewel
case In his outstretched hand--when
she fiuttered back, radiant and breath
less, and dropped into her seal behind
the table with a laugh of giee.
Pardon my ~discourtesy, my good
Mr.. Aarons." she cried. You took, me
somewhat by surprise; II was not pre-
pared for much ~forethought. Tell me,
was 1t not 200 guineas you lent me
upon that neckIace~
"Ycsr-but"- began the usurer.
"one moment" Prue quickly inter-
posed; IT am hopeIesly stupid about
there is interest to, pay for that loan.
Please tell me how much? Another
hundred pounds, perhaps, Or ,E5
II don't know how much" Aarons
interrupted bruskly. This is not a,
matter OF loan and interest
A"Oh! pardon, me, l think ii is" said
Prne. drawing up her slender neck
with a vast access of dignity. Il am
charmed to have my diamonds once
more-God he knows for how long!"
and she took the Jewel case from
Aarons' nnresisting hand. And here,
IL i am still in your debt. let me know
and / will pay you some other day"
She placed three of Robins bank
notes before him, and lifting the neck
ace from its velvet bed clasped it
about her throat.
There" she cried. facing Aarons
with a bewitching smile. Nov you
can have your wish: l have put 1t on
so that you can see me wear it,"
"It is a sight / shall always remem-
Der with admiration" said Aarons, re-
covering his self command with the
ease OF long practice. " and l will
leave 1t to your mirrors reflection to
| rAnaiNd1Nynti that u nn1UE a wal IL a word
from you to place my fortune at your
feet" ~ ~.
Ali" sighed Prue. IF it were only a
question OF your fortune! Must you go,
Mr.. Aarons?'. for he. had risen, and hat
I'm hand. was already bowling himself
Eout. .'w-'4 .-r'
extraordinarily. l am pressed for
Itime, Viscountess, SO ! am reluctantly
compelled to take my leave; but I trust
not for long. Fare o we'll" And he
was gone, lea wing the bank notes where
she had placed them on the. table.
In the hall he found James engaged
lin an alteration with a red faced per-
son I'm h abby black Of a quasi-clerical
cut This individual was not precise
~ drunk, but most evidently not very
sober, and the, voice in which he ex-
pressed his intention of seeing and
speaking with the viseountess Brooke
IF he had TO wait until midnight
was very husky and rather bellicose.
"If I can not see the, Lady Brooke,
I'll wait and see Sir Godfrey Beaude-
sert," he insisted, as James reiterated
the utter impossibility of such a visitor
to any member of the family. &hr
~Sir Godfrey Beaudeseft does not
live here, "trepiied James loftily. "You
had better q at his house." -.
The tipsy gentleman leered in a most
impertinent fashion. I'm a good deal
more likely to find him at Lady
BFookes house than his own" he OBJ
served confidentially. . ,
: A hand vas placed on his arm, and
Turning with a rvo start he found
the harsh gaze Of Mr.. Aarons bent
sternly upon him. -
@Parson Goodridge! you here n in
this condition? 2" exclaimed the money
I1ender. r. ""
ME here? Well, so are you!" hic-
conghed the reverend gentleman. who
the devil would expect to find old
'shent-per-she In a lady's boudoir?"
II am frequently in places where
you would least expect to meet me-"
said Aarons, with a scowl at the 9TH
er's tipsy familiarity. but this meet
ing is opportune; / want a few words
with you, and as you will gain nothing
by waiting here, you may as we'll come
with me-" .. ~"
Goodridge hesitated and made an
abortive attempt TO wriggle out Of the
usurer's firm grasp. III
You can't do anything, to me-" he
said at last, in n resigned tone. I'm
safe in the Rules and all the credi-
tors in London town can not touch
me-" ..s..
CONTINUED Next week.)
Il .