The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-03-20
Copyright. 1911. The BobbeMerril Company

1t was impossible to contradict her,
for her pale face and clouded eyes be-
trayed some nervous strain. Sir Geof-
Trey contented himself with obtaining
permission to inquire after her health
at an early hour mex day, and re-
paired to his club, where he speedily
found distraction at the card table.
But Prue, tired as she was, had no
intention of going home without one
more attempt to see Barbara, to whose
mansion in Park lane she vas forth
with conveyed. Her friend was at
home and the servants, aware of the
intimate relations etween the
two ladies, did not hesitate to admit
Prue, and inform her that supper was
then being served in the Painted Room,
q charming apartment, where Barbara
was in the habit of holding high revel-
ry with her closest intimates, and Civ
ing gay upper parties at which gam
bling for high stakes, charades imi-
tated from the entertainments of the
French court and similar amusements
Kept gossip on the qui vive.
There was no gathering of wits and
beauties tonight, however. The room
tWhlch took its name from the myth
illogical paintings with which the cell
ng and walls We're decorated) was
brightly lighted, but u%noccupied, and
IN the small conservatory opening out
of it. at a little table set for two
among he banks of blossoming plants
and cages of bright hued birds, sat
Barbara coquetting with Robin Free
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and outlaw-who
was in the very act of raising her
hand to his lips when the door opened
to admit Prue.
My dearest Prue, here you are at
last: had almost given up expecting
you!' cried Barbara, greeting her with
effusion.
rL-.h
Did you really expect me?" asked
Prue, with irrepressible irony. Meeting
you nowhere. / feared you might be in
disposed, but l am vastly relieved to
find that you reached home without
mishap"
Nothing could be more triumphant
y successful than our escape" cried
barbara, gayly ignoring Prue's lofti-
ness; and, as You see, | am taking
excellent care of my captive"
Dearest Barbara, / know we'll what
an incompatible hostess you are" she
replied dryly, and now that 1 have
seen for myself that YOU are safe
not too greatly incommoded by
your exploit, l will tax my leave. as
| am positively sinking with fatigue"
And she made as though to withdraw
without deigning a second glance to-
ward Robin, who had risen, and stood
there a veritable statue of amazement
n modification.
but Barbara caught her by both
hands and drew her to the table,
Nonsense. Prue," she laughed .Do
you ,thlnk ! am going to let you run
OH IKE hat? Sinking with fatigue in
deed. I'll warrant you will flutter
from ball room to ball room for the
next two hours IL / dc not keep Won
mere. Captain de Cliffe and were
ABOUT to bore each other to death over
a t~ete-a-tete supper and 0 have come
lihe q good FAIRY to preserve us from
yaWning in each others face-(Prue
smiled satirically): at least sup with
me, dear Gossip; twill rest YOU more
than going home to bed"
MY chair waits" Prue began
though not without signs of hesitation
what matters that? 1t shall be dis
missed and l will send you home in
mine"
The temptation of returning in such
state as that is well nigh irrepressi-
pie. Prue conceded, feeling that she
had been sufficiently coaxed to do what
sne Partieuiarly wanted to do without
~unfasten the mantle in which she was
enveloped. but when Robin sprang for
ward to assist her she allowed III to
drop to the floor and walked away.
leaving him to pick it UP If he pleased
you Will stay. them" cried Bar
para. That is delightful. I will or
der another cover and d bottle Of vo,,,.
EIaVorlte Chambertin, and we will have
q little festival to wish your friend bon
voyage" - -
And she rustled away: more out Of
compassion for Robins disconcerted
aspect than the mere Impulse of hosni-
tally.
Prue seated herself behind a bank Of
towering shrubs. as far away as the
little conservatory would allow. and
aInsr 9 m~oraentary hesitation. Robin
"TIave I been so unfortunate as to
incur your ~displeasure. dearesta" he.
inquired ~anxiGusly.
My d~ispleasure, sir? Certainly not !.
she replied. What can it matter to
me how many-ladies' hands you kiss?n
Al this Robin (who. although a nov
Ice IN love. was nc fooD was completely
relieved. He was even quite elated
over the little display Of jealousy
which proved that Prue was far from
Indifferent to him. When I am NOT
with you, dear Prue,n he said In a
tone of gentle 8reproach, my hear is
so full Of YOU that it flows over with
gratitude to anyone who viii but utter
your name. IT you had heard what
Lady Barbara was saying about Won.
you would not have been surprised to
see me embrace her feet instead Of
her hand" @
What did she say?" asked Prue. her
ASS PClui0IiSc. $500
She said many things In praise OF
the dearest of women, said Robin.
taking courage to seat himself beside
her, but. best of all, she assured me-
that not mi Of all your score Of suit
3ors could boast of half the interest YOU
had shown today in the poor outlaw.
pc YOU wonder that I kissed her
hand?"
Barbara ii very indiscreet. said
smiling a little. Besides, she has
the most beautiful hands In the
world ~
Are they beautiful? Il was think
ing toosmuch of her kind words to no.
t1ce aught else. Yet she warned me
that my love for you Is hopeless, and
indeed she Is right. I must leave Eng
land IN few hours, perhapsfor-
ever
And what night has Barbara to
think love other thar hopeless?
She knows nothing about IT! / have a
good mind" cried Prne, TO tell her
all n 8 what she says then. But
no! b would think me- fool for.
Throwing myself away on a man who
loves me so little that he can bear to:
talk OF leaving me for q day, let alone
forever
sI love Won more tina ny ownslffe
and soul. said Robin more than any
&kf4-1&rAx~k AA.~ArA4 49,. Tt.-xHEl-f