The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1913-01-09

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which thought last in her mind, she
fell asleep.
When She opened her eyes, Peggie
stood at her bedside, smiling over an
armful of roses
Guess what little bird sent these to
you." she said.
Prue started up eagerly. rs he
here?" Peggie shook her head. What.
did he so away without seeing me?'
cried Prue, her lace falling and her lip
dropping like a grieved child.
No, he sent them by his lackey. You
had better make haste to be UP and
dressed, in case he comes to be
Prue jumped out OF bed and began
dressing In a great hurry.
How comes he with a lackey, for
sooth!" shen said presently, feigning to
cavil so that Peggie would go On talk
ing.
why. does not Sir Geofrrey always
send his lackey with flowers for you
and grandmother" laughed Peggie.
Sir Geoffrey!". cried Prue. starting
away from A. roses as though she had
suddenly encountered their thorns.
"Of course; who did you think had
sent them"' inquired Pegg1e, blandly.
WHY thought-you said oh!
reggie, what did you mean by a little
bird" pouted Prue.
g"Ha! ha! hal" Peggie screamed with
laughter. 80 the only bird yon can
think Of now is a Robin! Why, Prue,
you foolish coz, what is the use OF
setting your heart on him? You know
you cannot have him."
And suppose 1 cannot: is not that
enough to make any woman set her
heart on a mann" cried Prue. Take
those nasty things out OF the room,
Peggy; the smell of them makes me
quite sick"
Peggie started to 60, smiling them
v~oluptuously. Poor Robin" she muir
INJURED; tits well he cannot see how
his roses are treated. Nasty things,
indeed! l never knew the smell Of
roses to make you sick before"
Prue flew after her. Margaret"
she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. How
dare you torment me like this? Tell
me, this instant, who sent those flow
ers to me?"
why, didn't I tell you they came
from Robin?' asked Pegsie, regarding
her with suileless surprise.
Give them to me this instant! oh,
Peggie, Peggie. you know you tried to
make me think Sir Godfrey sent
them"
Il only said he always sent flowers
by his lackey," Peggie interposed.
Was there nothing with them? Not
a letter, not a message? ?" Prue went on.
oh. Peggfe, just a word-?"
Not word. But the day is not over
yet. and mayhap Captain Sc~atterbratn
will bring his own message. He Is mad
enough for anything. Now don't keep
smelling those nasty things'-you know
the smell Of roses makes you sick to-
day-and g.. make haste downstairs.
Grandmother Is feeling almost well to-
day and will take her chocolate In the
drawing room. She wishes you to join
her anon, so that she can hear from
your own lips all about YOU triumphs
last night"
When Prue came down presently, she
wore a great cluster of red roses at her
breast, n one or two nestled in the
rich braids of her hair. 1t was a pity
Robin could not see how well they be-
came her. blu they were not altogether
wasted, as Sir Godfrey, coming in a
short time later, made them the occa-
sion OF some charming compliments.
Old Lady Drumloch, with no sign Of
weakness about her except her deli
cate waxen pallor, reclined on a couch
enveloped in her cashmeres, slipping
chocolate and listening with great COM
placency to her granddaughter's ac-
count OF the masquerade. She greeted
Sir Geoffrey without enthusiasm, &C.
cepted his congratulations upon her re-
coVery with resignation and
lessly turned him over to Peggie for
entertainment, while she kept Prue in
close attendance upon herself.
Other guests dropping in, Prue was
kept so busy dispensing chocolate and
sWeetmeats that she hardly noticed the
p~ortentious gravity with which Sir
Godfrey drew Peggie apart and en-
gagged her In a low voiced conversation,
which at first amused. then surprised,
and finally caused her to exhibit minis
takeable signs OF u~neasiness. Her efforts
catch to Prue's y being abortive, she
was on her way across the room. when
the door was thrown open, and with
a great rustling OF silks and Gathering
or fans. three ladies were announced.
Lady Limerick. Miss Warburton and
Lady Barbara Sweeting."
or the newcomers, the latter de-
serves a word Of introduction, for Lady
barbara had been h sharer. and
many thought, the tnstigator Of half
the frollcs OF Prue's lively widowhood.
They were fast friends, and If the fad
ing charms of Lady Barbara suffered
by contrast with Prue's freslI love-
illness, those who desired the friend
ship Of either We're usually wise enough
to treat both with impartial g%allantry.
A great favorite of Queen Anne and
also a dangerous rival of Sarah
Churchill. Lady Barbara owed her
popularity chiefly TO her skill in col
lecting and disseminating scandal.
She knew everything long before any
one else suspected 1t. Projected mar
rlages, family jars, political intrigues
supplied her with an ever-fresh stock
or amusing anecdOte. Mischievous but
rarely malicious, she often pricked but
seldom stabbed, and was as ready to
turn the laugh against herself as to
max fun out OF her most cherished
enemy.
Dear Lady Drumloch, what a de-
l1ghtful surprise. and how cha rming
you look" she cried. taking the old
lady's delicate hand in hers and press
ing upon II az reYerential d kiss as
though It had been Queen Anne's own
chubby fingers. You don't know how
enchanted We are to have you among
US again. We have missed YOU so.
Prue, you wicked witch, how darc YOU
look so lovely? After last night you
ought to be pale and languishing. in
stead OF looking so shamelcSsIy unCon-
cerned n lighthearted." Prue, with
out knowing why, changed counte-
nance a little. at which her tOrmentor
ran on still more Volubly. We were
getting on very nicely without you
a little dull, perhaps, but one can live
without duels, and while you stayed
In the north, wives could let their
husbands run alone, even II they had
been your bondslaveS. Prithee, WAS
ever General Sweeting the victim OF
your enchantments? II so, alack, what
is to become OF me?"
A laugh rippled round the room. for
Lady husband was notOri-