Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-01-24

AO0Ao VI yOus IL you udO lclI ll0 W
my fate. in a few hours you might have
been a free woman
Prue burst into tears. "Oh! you are
cruel, cruel" she sobbed. II do not
want freedom-that way"
Il believe it," he said. taking her
hand and pressing 1t to his lips. do
not grieve. my hunted life is lot worth
one OF those tears"
But hasten" she interrupted. listen
ing attentively and holding up her
hand to silence him. II know who you
are and that you are concerned in
Jacobite plots. Soldiers will surround
Inc house and o will be arrested and
taken to the Tower as a traitor. You
have very little time to escape"
He glanced at some papers on the
table n began to gather them up and
conceal them about him. In doing this,
he uncovered a jewel-case Of purple
velvet embroidered in gold with the
royal arms.
Prue uttered a faint shrek and cov-
cred her eyes, as IL to shut out the
sight that confirmed her worst fears.
"Oh: Robin!" she gasped. 1.-The
queens necklace"
Was it the queen's?" he replied
carelessly. Well, now it is yours. II
you care to have it," He opened the
case and displayed the diamonds fash
ing like a string of fire. MY faith.
the gems are gorgeous; they will look
we'll on the peerless neck of my beau
tiful Prue."
II wear the queens diamonds! You
must be mad! What possessed you to
a mistake and that you were innocent
of this"
Innocent of what? Do you really
think | stole the necklace? My dear
Lady Prudence, / am a highwayman
when occasion erves but l am not u
thief. Last night, on the kings bust
ness. 1 Waylaid the wrong mar. and all
l got for my pains was this fine casket
which l never opened until now. Evil
IDENTIFY I robbed the thief, confound
him! and the papers 1 was commanded
to secure are God knows where"
on Robin, !! am SO glad!" she
cried. '"They said Robin the highway
man was at his tricks again, and had
stolen the queens necklace from Marl-
borough House, and oh, I was so
ashamed to think such a thing could
be said of-my husband"
She half turned away. murmuring
the last words so softly that only the
ears OF low could have caught them.
oh! Prue-angel-is 1t really pos
sible that you think Of me as your
husband? Oh! l know there has been
an empty ceremony which meant moth
ing to you. and to me only vain long
ing and a mad dream of unattainable
IAnPRlAIcSSp Oul WIAI d 1901 i ann Ot
course l ought to nave understood that
YOU fear to be brought to shame If It
should be suspected that the thief of
he queens necklace is your"
Prue's eyes flashed and her little
h~igh-heeled shoe tapped angrily on the
floor.
You are indeed a fool" she ex-
claimed. 81 do not know why I have
any patience at all with you. Will
you begone from here at once, sir. and
not offend me by tarrying when / have
risked so much to save your life"
He started and flushed guilty. 'Sel-
fish brute that 1 am! I forgot the
dear Lady Prudence. for your warn
ing. I will profit by it when 1 have con-
Quoted YOU to safety"
you will do nothing Of tho Sort"
she retorted imperiously. when I ar
rived . We're preparing to depart:
house to be surrounded by the soldiers
It will be too late. Even now, IL you
cave 1t alive, you may fall into an
the street,"
Yes this room opens on . terrace
overlooking the river. and although I
believed myself safe in London for q
few days. I have = boat In readiness
In case I should be forced to leave in
q hurry" said Robin. There arc
hiding places In Southwark and Lam
beth whore the Queens whole army
might hunt q week for me in vain"
B cautious then. for that may be
known to your enemies; and, above
all, be speedy"
White she was speaking, tho door
was hung open abruptly and Steve
Larkyn-his face blaxing with fury
you are betrayed. Captain" he
A10lNI0fA6. ssYhfQ uHnrn0n hoe hoo,,-A>
the soldiers with her. For tho love Of
God, do not stop to listen t 0 her, but
escape while there 10 time"
you hear?" cried Prue, In . frenzy.
"GoEgo instantly! I command you'll
What. GO away and leave you
Never!" said Robin, with q calm
ness that contracted strongly With the
excitement OF the others.
! will remain with you. and
when the soldiers como I will declare
that I helped you enter Marlborough
that ! was your accomplice: nay, I will
say that my familiarity with the duch-
ess' apartments rave mo access whore
you could not have entered ana thai I
stole the diamonds and gave them to
youl"
teriy stupeaed.
! will; and Il necessary ! WIN pro-
claim myself your wife ana lot them
you are accused Of"
hut whyf In the name Of God. what
y the meaning Of this madness"
She stretched out her arms 20 him
With . gesture Of utter self-abendon-
ment. TT means that I love you, Robin.
II love you. and would rather de with
you than live without you!"
h camoht her In his arms and