The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-01-30

stopped at last and I descended in g
dark and muddy street, where I fol.
lowed my conductor afoot to a lonely
house, apparently uninhabited."
"Prudence-you reckless gtrl-you
ventured into such a place alone and
unprotected" exclaimed the duchess,
excited to such a pitch by the story
that h absolutely forgot Its reference
to herself. What madnessi"
oh! that is nothing to what I would
nave done, If necessary, for-for your
grace's sake" cried Prue. but I con
fess that all my devotion vas needed to
keep up my ourage. Inside the house
my situation was even more terrifying.
All was dark and empty-it seemed
the very place for secret deeds Of hor-
ror-yet no attempt was made to harm
me; not a living creature appeared ex-
cept the person who wrote this mes
sage and who, without any ado, placed
this in my hand and begged me to take
1t away"
Having arrived at the climax of her
story, Prue drew forth the emblazoned
casket and displayed the diamond neck
lace.
The duchess snatched 1t from her
and gazed at it with %entranced eyes
She flung her arms about Prue, calling
her a heroine and a marvel, and the
truest friend woman eve had.
ANY n but you would have gone
straight to the queen and left me to
my fate. There are those about that
u%ngrateful woman who would have
paid mighty high for such a chance
of huniliating me. What reward did
the robber demand, and how did you
satisfy him?"
There was nc robber; only an old
woman" said Prue, whipping out her
carefully planned lie without a trem-
or. II know not how she came by 1t,
but she asked for no eva ard only
seemed to wish to be rid OF 1t. In
deed, there was no time for me to
ask an explanation, If she had one to
give, for at the very moment when
the casket was in my hands, there
arose a hubbub in the street outside
and the house was surrounded by SOL
diers. The old woman disappeared as
II by magic, and when the soldiers
broke into the room I was alone; nor
though they battered the place to
pieces"
She shall be found and compelled
to give up her accomplish cried h
duchess f~iriously. Soldiers surround
the house and yet the miscreant es-
Yes, truly" cried Prue. And more
than that-they arrested poor little me
because / was all alone there with
the queens diamonds; think of that.
l a q narrow escape of spending the
night IN jail. However. my tears and
aPoh lueII s1 TO
bring me here, and all that remains
to be done is to dismiss my captors
ana permit mi to tax my leave of
your grace"
Not 50 fast, Prue; you have still
something to do for me" said. the
duchess. II must hasten to the queen
ana you u go with me, and repeat
what o ave just old me. Marie
Ahce-leave off chattering and tire me
WIZ an despatch. must see the queen
"ianout a moments loss Of time"
Surely, it's too late tonight" re-
monstrated Prue. who was sinking
with fatigue. Her majesty viii have
retired"
That's no matter" retorted the
duchess ar~rogantly. IT am still Mis-
my office entitled to enter the queens
bed chamber at all hours of day or
night. You must accompany me. and |
repeat your story. else I might be dis
credited by the reptiles who are eyerI
a. me roya ear. poisoning poor, faith
Iui Mrs: Morley's mind against her
once beloved Mrs. Freeman. Come d
am ready"
As they descended by a private stair
case to take the carriage. the groom |
OF tne chambers approached. and def
erentially inquired what was To he
done with the viscountess Brooke,sl
military escort.
Faith, tits the honest soldier who
wanted to hale me off to JAIL" cried
Prue In reply to the duchess look Of
surprised inquiry. "He came prepared
TO arrest a houseful OF robbers or con-
spirators-he seemed uncertain Inst
finding me alone, with the
queens necklace In my hand. would
have taken me to prison II 1 had not |
coaxed him to bring me to you first.
It ! might venture to suggest that |
your grace bid him attend Us. he can
c~orroborate my story. IL needfulo
Let him come the duchess com
manded. II would / had 100 witnesses
tina II was not found In Marlborough