The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-05-01
cRAPTER xxyIm concluslon.

sIldA hnuL a DIaCIlb6uE uuGltlSIt UuI NO
found he had no mean antagonist in
Robin. 1t was a match between the
clever master OF fence and the soldier,
accustomed to fight with his life In his
hand, regardless or carte and fierce,
At pose and trick, Sir Godfrey was the
superior, but he was under the disad-
vantage OF a tempestuous fury that
prevented his making the best use OF
the dexteriey that had brought him out
victor from numerous encounters, while
Robins GOODNESS more than coTnpen-
stated for lack OF finesse and his skill
as a swordsman soon proved itself. Sir
Godfrey, In spite OF his passionate on
slaught, was gradually beaten on the
roadside and driven step by step to
the door OF the inn, where Robin. calm
as thought they had been merely fenc-
ing for amusement, goaded him into
rashness with an exaggerated display
OF caution. and taking quick advantage
OF a wild lunge, disarmed him and sent
his sword flying a dozen races away.
At the clash or weapons and sound
OF warfare, the inn door opened "a few
inches and q bald old head peered eau
uously out.
Gentlemen. gentlemen" piped a
trembling voice, mine is a. respectable
house; pray you do not get me into
trouble. / implore you, IL there Is mur
der to be done. for heavens sake go a
HUH IaTInGIM up #LUG IOAQp ~ a
quiet spot, not five minutes walk away
where no one viii disturb you while
you kill each other" i
1T is all over, mine good host; twas
but a friendly bout; no n is h worse
for 1t by so much as a cut finger"
laughed Robin. steve, pick UP Sir
Geoffrey's sword and restore II to him.
Escort him into the inn and treat him
courteously until / call for you" AS
fhaU diQo nnnuRad p he .ftIrradN IN Prize
who had watched the duel with mingled
fear and Joy, and now hurried to his
outstretched arms. hst. PHI 81
"Oh! Robin: why didn't you kill
him ?' she cried. E
why, twas a duel. dearest not an
assassination" he began, y
He would have killed You Il ne
could. I'll be sworn she protested. u
saw murder In his eye when he rushed
upon us. and surely you would avenge
the treachery that brought me to his
lonely place with a man / detest, who
desired to force or shame me into mar
rylng him 2"
II am almost grateful to him." u
INJURED Robin, with his lips TO hers,
that he brought you here and procured
me the inestimabfe happiness OF seeing
you once more and bidding you fare
WELL, @ a
is it indeed happiness for you to bid
mo farewell2" pouted Prue, r~eproach-
fully. @ 4
able anguish OF leaving you. perhaps
FOR ever, without" &E AIS
Prue drew herself away Just far
enough to look into his eyes with be-
witching tenderness. Does II grieve
YOU 50 much to leave me. Robin? 2" she
said softly. +
Can you ask, heart OF my hearth"
he narIfaA u. tsvn,1l IfftIa ~ harrr SOMA
ly / am torn in twain by the duty that
separates me from you
Then why should we separated 2" she
cajoled, nesting against air
"Ohi tempt me not, beloved" he inn
plored, feeling himself melting like wax
under her touch. Honor and loyalty
call me to France @
Then take me with you'll" she cried,
in ringing tones. & H.
A hand was laid on Robins shoulder
with no gentle emphasis. What folly
is this ?'' demanded a harsh voice. de
Cliffe, have overheard the wiles or
this enchantress n although / be-
.lieye YOU loyalty ID beyond r~eproach,
i canno allow her to test your powers
of resistance too far. Can You really
believe that she wishes TO accompany
you? Bah! tits but another coil to bind
you more Cecurely and make our es-
cape nor difficult. But IL shall not
avail, 1 swear X OF the bones OF st.
Anthony Vfscountess Brooke, do you
wish TO have this mans death on your
conscience ? II so, use your arts on him
and you will soon be gratified; for ]
myself will run my sword through his
heart, rather than see him a traitor to
his king" L r rs"%+ a
Your misIudges me- said
Prue, proudly. II come, as you should
know, OF right loyal stock, and nothing
is further from by wishes than to hind
er his departure. l but claim the right
to go wherever he goes"
The right! What right" sneered
the duke. 4
The right In the sight of God and
man, of a wife to follow her husband"
said Prue, unfiinchingly. asr.. "a
As she stood there 80 beautiful and
undaunted, the love light in her glor-
ious eyes seemed TO irradiate her whole
face with understandable tenderness and
dignity. Even the angry duke dropped
his yes. abashed, n his tone was
sensibly lowered when he exclaimed,
wife? Husband De Cliffe, what is
the meaning OF this midsummer mad
ness?" EI FIX. .a..s. &
"Oh! Prue," cried Robin, "you know
not what you say: how could you dream
OF sharing the fortunes OF an exile
an outlaw" l%.#J t|.* ..ua.s@ 4
She raised her eyes to his, trimming
Will Tears. boSduSe Il love you, NftOD-
In" she sighed pathetically but brave
ly, "ahd life without you is worthless
to me" Then, with a sudden change
to petulance, "Oh, why do you leave
me 10 do all the love making? Is II
not shame enough that I was q petit
toner for your hand, but that now /
must come Rs a beggar for your heart?
Sure, ! did think you loved me--a lit
tie" and she buried her face In her
hands. art% %
Sweetheart, 1t Is because i love you
so dearly that / am loath to let you
throw away your beauty and sweet
ness OF q poor soldier of fortune" said
Robin, scarcely less agitated than she.
Who is apparently ready to ruin
himself for the idle caprice OF a frivo-
lous ~coquet," interposed the duke, with
asperity.
The carriage which had followed Sir
Geoffrey's had arrived while the duel
was In progress, and drawn up in
noticed at the bend OF the road. Its
sole occupant alighted, and lingering In
the shadow OF the trees, became an in
terested spectator. himself unobserved.
ode C,liffe," continued the duke, time
presses and you must not linger. Think
only OF you duty and be firm.
There w7s a brief silence, which
Prue broke. addressing her husband.
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