Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-02-07

replied sweetly. Have q moments pa
tience and l will tell you how. reckless
of consequences. 1 ordered the chair
men to follow this unknown leader, who
took us through narrow by-strets.
where l momentarily expected to be
waylaid and perhaps murdered. But
my desire to serve your grace was
stronger than my fears; besides. as you
are well aware. I am not very timid,
especially When there is an adventure
to the FORE"
Yes. yes. l know how reckless you
are, but where did you find the neck
lace" the duchess broke in.
II am coming to that. The chair
dark and muddy street, where 1 fol-
lowed my conductor afoot to a lonely
house, apparently uninhabited."
"Prudence-you eckless girl-you
ventured into such a place alone and
unprotected" exclaimed the duchess,
excited to such a pitch by the story
that she absolutely forgot its reference
to herself. VIVA madness!"
"Oh! that is nothing to what 1 would
have done. II necessary, for-for your
grace's sake" cried Prue But / con-
fess that all my devotion was needed to
keep up my courage. 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 1T with ~entranced eyes.
Shn d11nO har arm2 about PrNQ calling
her a heroine and a marvel, and the
truest friend woman ever had.
ANY one but YOU would have gone
straight to the queen n left me to
my fate. There are those about that
ungrateful woman who would have
paid mighty high for such a chance
of humiliating me. What reward did
the robber demand, and how did you
satisfy him?"
There was no robber; only an old
woman" said Prue. whipping out her
carefully planned lie without a trem-
or. Il know not how she came by it.
but she asked for no reward n only
seemed to wish to be rid Of it. In
deed, there was no. time for me to
ask an explanation, II h a N to
give. for at the very moment when
the casket was in my hands. there
arose a hubbub in h 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 / was alone; nor
could they find any trace of her,
though they battered the place to
pieces"
She shall be found and compelled
to give up her accomplice,' cried the
duchess fsriously. Soldiers surround
the house and yet the. miscreant es-
capped. Pretty soldiers. forsooth.'
Yes, truly" cried Prue. And more
L than fhQf-fhov 0rroSto1 vnar lit%1n -
because / was all alone there with
the queens diamonds: think of that.
! had a narrow escape of spending the
night in Jail. However. my tears and
e~ntrcaties prevailed upon them to
bring me here, and all that remains
to be lone is to dismiss my captors
and permit me to take my leave of
your grace"
Not 80 fast. True: you have still
something to do for me-" said the
duchess. II hasten to the queen
and you must go with me, and repeat
what YOU have just told me. Marie
Alice-leave off chattering and tire me
with all despatch. Ismust see the queen
without a moments loss Of time"
surely. It's too late tonight" re-
m~onstrated Prue. who was sinking
with fatigue. Her majesty will have
retired"
That's no matter" retorted the
duchess arrogantly. II am still Mis-
tresS OF the Robes, and by virtue of
my office entitled to enter the queens
bed chamber at all hours OF day or
night. You NUS accompany me. and
repeat your story. else I might be dis
credited by the reptiles who are ever
at the royal ear. poisoning poor, faith
ful Mrs. Morley's mind against her
once beloved Mrs. Freeman. Come, I
am ready
AS they descended by a private stair
Il casa I'm f0kn fhA M aa,-> Al~-W-.~--
OF the chambers approached. and def
erentially inquired what was to be
done with the Viscountess Brooke's
military escort.
Faith. tits the honest soldier who
wanted to hale me OF to JAIL. cried
Prue In reply to the duchess look OF
surprised inquiry. HI came prepared
70 arrest 3 h~ouseful OF robbers or con-
SplrAt0ro-he seemed uncertain fust
swhich-and andtng me alone. with the
queens necklace In my hand, would
nave taken mo to prison if ! had not
Is I might venture TO sugeest nm
your grace bid him attend US, he m
Ecorr0D0rate my story, it neodful."
Let him come" the duchess COM
manded. II would I had lOu witnessea
Tat y was not found IN Marlborough
CHAPTER xx.
Is THREAT AND a PRoMIsH.
When Prus fsachsd home. about
mt0u1Ght, ReGg1o.s who h1d been watch.
I0e window during soveralsanx-
]! 1oue hont1. "a her ~ the door and
,.na,e ss csssaed hsr Npstairs a stxsn-
SEylaGof" ~ daman6o6
sNeeistAesA4c6n1lala1i pf5d SouMhrinS