The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-01-23

been most reluctant to attend the mas
querade, and that thesduchess, fearing
that she might repeat the slight of
recent public occasion (when Her
Majesty had declined to appear in regal
state In compliment Il her), had exer-
cised her privilege as Mistress OF the
Robes. and caused certain Jewels. to be
conveyed to the royal firing room in
Marlborough House. But the queen,
on her arrival, had signalixed her dis
approval Of this audacious proceeding,
by refusing to make any alteration i n
h conspicuously simple costume she
wore, and the J-eweis-among which the
necklace was the most important
We're left In the firing room in care OF
the attendants.
All this, however, was mere gossip.
Those more friendly to the duchess dis-
to know that no royal Jewels a come
n the house, except on the queens
person, and that II any were mislaid,
they would certainly be found either
at kensington Palace, where Her Maj
esty had been residing for some weeks,
or st. James, where she had passed
the previous day, In order to incur as
little fatigue as possible in attending
the masquerade.
Ladies Rialton and Monthemer, with
other members of the ducal family and
household, fitted from group to group,
making light of The rumored estrange-
ment between poor, unfortunate.
faithful Mrs. Morley" and her erstwhile
inseparable and ~all-powerfuf friend,
and vowing that nothing kept them
apart but che violent illness of the
duchess, over whom the physicians
priety Of bleeding her to avert an at
tack OF fever. But all hints and al
lusions to the lost necklace were ig-
nored. n those who were hardy
enough to put their inquiries into plain
words, were met with diplomatic re-
plies that neither affirmed nor denied
| anything.
With q greeting here and a hand
pressure there, Pru threaded her way
through the crowd, and hurried ups
stairs to h duchess private apart
ments. The way led past the little
conservatory where she had sat with
Robin last night. 1t vas dark now
n the entrance was blocked with
tubs containing the orange trees and
shrubs which had adorned the grand
staircase and entrance hall. Prue's
heart beat a shade faster and a pang
of remors assailed her at the thought
that by introducing Robin to this Sc
questered part of the house she had
exceeded her privilege as a guest, and
exposed both Robin and herself to a
I Suspicion lIld OILY AGTW utmost 1nRen-
uity could dissipate.
In the duchess dressing room a little
throng of ladies-in-waiting and init
mate friends welcomed her warmly.
Deep concern sat upon every face as
they listened to the hysterical cries and
means. in which the patient in the ad-
Joining bedroom gave expression to her
sufferings, n the broken exclama-
tions and fierce.invectives by which she
called upon her doctors and attendants
to bear witness to the ingratitude and
peridy Of the queen. and the baseness
of her minions.
While Prue hesitated about intrud-
ing, the doctor and the apothecary
came out. The former hurried away
With a red face and air of offended
dignity, and his satellite only fingered
long enough to assure the ladies thai
her grace. having refused to be blooded
and having ordered the two medicos
from her presence under pain of a
drenching with their own potions
nothing could be lone for her until
she could be brought into a more rea.
sonable mood.
with decision. II have a cure for he,
malady far more efficaciouG thar al
the court physicians nostrums."
Why, do you come from the queen.
Has h found her diamond necklace?'
"A dozen eager questioners crowded
N1OoS Va i Il HSAllllc Ol IQYS.
ferrous but encouraging Significance
Prue reiterated her demand and at las,
escaped from further interrogation, b,
making her way unannounced into thu
presence of the duchess.
The great lady lay upon her bed, hel
disordered dress M disheveled hail
revealing the ravages of time, which
she usually disguished with SO much
skill. Her tire-women vainly ATTEMPTED
to soothe her by chatting her feet ane
hands and tanning her flushed anc
swollen face.
WHO is that?" she screamed, catch.
Ing sight Of Prue. Go away can.
not see anyone-I am very ILL an
dying! Make haste to pay your cour
to Masham-Masham! the creature
raised out of the mire-the kitchen
Wench, who will queen 1t tomorrow
when / am dead! oh! oh! OIL" Ant
the Mysteries were resumed with wilde,
frenzy han ever.
Leave her to me-" said Prue to tn,
women. ST can cure her, but I mus
have her to myself for a few minutes.
They looked from one to the other Will
beW1ldered eyes, wondering at Prue'.
audacity, yet unable to resist her cain
tone of authority.
When they had withdrawn to tn,
farther end of the room, she bent owe
the shrteking, raving duchess, and said
In a quiet, penetrating voice, 9Th,
necklace Is not lost, 1t is quite safe,
The cries ceased with almost In
dicrous suddenness. What do yo,
say?' gasped the patient.
CONTINUED Next Week.)