The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-03-13

tpoS iIS vi Z lltS
another bottle; shall it be the same.
Parson?'
This is fair. but they've a better
me replied Goodridge, smacking his
lips.
Bring us a bottle of the best YOU
have" Aarons ordered, and when it
came he filled both glasses and pro-
posed the health of the beautiful Wis
countess, n a rich husband for her.
Again Goodridge laughed, and this
time with such rapturous glee that
Aarons was quite confounded.
What a merry fellow you are. Par
SON." he grunted. I'd give a guinea
to know what you are laughing at
~ guinea" cried Goodridge. You
would give more than that, I'll war
rant. was thinking that there's no
more chance for Sir Godfrey Beaude-
sert than there is-for-you, for X
ample-or me-"
You think not?" queried Aarons,
passing over the personal application
of the remark with "a mental reserva-
ton.
u know it," said Goodridge. with
tipsy solemnity. I'll axe my oath
on it,"
Your oath may be priceless" said
Aarons, but can only pay for proof
And what said Goodridge. setting
down his empty glass. may you be
VIKING to pay for proof that Sir Geof-
Trey Beaudesert cannot marry the
Lady Frudence?"
Aarons eyed him warily. Il have a
judgment against you, Parson. for SAG
and costs. | will vacate the Judgment
and give YOU five guineas. 'Tis a lib
eral offer for-I know not what
For answer the reverend gentleman
leaned across the table and extending
his right hand within a few inches Of
Aaron's nose, snapped his fingers half
i dozen times. - ~@-
That Tor your Judgment he shout
ed truculently. I'm in the Rules for
life and you can neither keep me in
nor let me out. Why. man, I've a score
ol luaghlents against me, and if YOU
vacated ours | should be no better
OIL; nav, worse. for it might remind
the creditors who a long since for
gotten me. No., no, most excellent
money lender. my secret may be worth
hoIhlng or 1T may be worth much.
but only cash can buy it-ready cash.
Aarons. with a scowling brow, re-
nected. Was it worth a large sum to
break off the match between those two
~leadstrong young people? If Goodridge
was to be believed, the marriage was
impossible, and no expenditure of his
beloved gold was needed to prevent It.
On the other hand. the triumph of prov
ing to Prue some hidden reason of
Sir Geoffrey's allured him, and the
possibility that she might avenge her
2 .Si pN tdhlIlS another ana weather
I husband. included the probability of
$ that other husband being the one to
~ennghten her II offer himself as the
cad instrument of retaliation.
:! Will give you 10 guineas cash. he
said, after a pause.
When you know my secret. Won, will
think it cheap at 10 times 10 guineas.'
said Goodridge.
Aarons rose and began to button his
, surtout. II see he said, that we are
not IKE to agree, and as my time is
valuable you will excuse me If / leave
YOU to finish the bottle alone" AS he
: spoke, he allowed some loose coins
70 rattle IN his pocket, and in paving
the reckoning. pulled out a handful OF
golden guineas and tossed one to the
waiter.
t TIL sight of the money produce tho
erect he had expected. Goodridge's
moist eyes glistened and his lips purse6
themselves greedily. sit down.
Aarons. he said thickly,' and have a
i parting glass"
) the usurer poured a small quantity of
Wine into his glass and without resl1m-
, ing his seat nodded to his guest. and
muttering something that might have
ueen ei.hef a toast or a malediction,
i slipped 1t with a d~eprecatory expres.
sion.
Come, now" said Goodridge. after
: waiting Sa1nly for him to renew the
j negotiation, what is it really worth
TO you to stop this marriage?"
j 1t may not be worth a great dea,
/ to me-" said Aarons carelessly hnt no
! sat down. you never can account for
Women's yagaries. If / get her out of
thus AFFAIR, she may do worse instead
. of better
she cant do worse. chuckled Good
ridge. But Aarons had not the key to
} his merriment and all his suspicious
} We're eentered on some objectionable
misdeed OF the bridegroom-elect.
Were you going to tell her so when
/ met YOU at her house ?''s he INQUIRED
smiling grimly.. What do you ex-
pect to get from herr
That's my business" he retorted. but
| wasn't going to offer her any secrets
for sale. oh! no. the Lady Prudence
is my good friend, and if / need a few
guineas, she's too kind hearted to re-
fuse me-"
Suddenly 1T dawned upon Aarons thai
there was something sinister in the sit
uation; a woman like the viscountess
Brooke was not the friend of such q
! miserable wretch for mere kindness
} He felt that whatever the price. he
must know the whole truth; If this mar
could be induced to tell 1t.
Will you take 20 guineas for youl
!, fine secret?' he asked with a sheer.
No. but I'll take 90 and give you full
value" said Goodridge. Il haven't The
!, proofs here, but I'll tell you the secre,
for half the money and you shall give
me the rest,swhen / give you the proofs
It's a loss to me" he half-whimpered
for il I kept the secret n used i
! right, I might live well on it as long al
I 1t remained a secret"
Aarons counted out Is gold coin.
upon the table. and covered them will
his hand. Now" he said, there is hal,
your price. and If you can give me {
satisfactory reason why Sir Geoffre,
Beaudesert cannot, by any possibility
! marry Lady Prudence Brooke, tina
| money is yours, and as much NOR,
t when I have proofs. Sui If you are de,
: ceiving me, bewaret / am not a mai
. to be trif1ed with
! Sir Geoffrey B~eaudesert mo mar.
: ry Lady Prudence Brooke for the YER,
good reason that she is already mar
/ RED, Goodridge whispered. leaning
across the table with his mouth a
II Aarpns' ear.
The usnrer started back nj his fac,
! became black with fury. Lady Pru'
i dence married." he exclaimed.
"Sh-sh-ship Goodridge glances
round apprehensiyeiy; don't blurt
out for the whole town to hear. Yes
cba 10 mn rrie1 i myself performed thu