The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1913-01-23

been most reluctant to attend the mas
Querade, and that the duchess, fearing
that she might repeat the slight of q
recent public occasion (when Her
Majesty had declined to appear In regal
state In compliment to herr, had exer-
cised her privilege as Mistress Of the
conveyed to the royal firing room in
Marlborough House. But the queen,
on her arrival, had ~signalized her dis
approval Of this audaciouS proceeding,
by refusing to make any alteration in
the con~spicuously simple costume she
wore, and the ~jewels-among which the
necklace was the most important
We're left in the firing room in rare of
the attendants. TX l..
All, this, however, was mere gossip.
Those more friendly to the duchess dis
credited the whole story and claimed
to know that no royal jewels had come
into a house, except on the queens
person. and that IL any were mislaid,
they would certainly be found either
at Kensington Palace, where Her Maj
esty had been residing for some weeks,
or st. James, where she had passed
h previous day, in order to incur as
little fatigue as possible in attending
h masquerade.
Ladies' Rialton and Monthemer, with
other members Of the ducal family and
household, fitted from group to group,
making light Of the rurnored estrange-
ment between poor, unfortunate,
faithful Mrs. Morley" and her erstwhile
inseparable and all-powerful friend,
and yowtng that nothing kept them
apart but che violent illness of the
duchess, over whom the physicians
were In consultation as to the pro-
priety of bleeding her to avert an at
tack OF fever. But all hints and al
lusions to the lost necklace were ig-
nored, and > those who were hardy
enough to put their inquiries into plain
words. We're met with diplomatic re-
plies that neither affirmed nor denied
anything. . LII. .Gs3 .a-E
With a greeting here and a hand
pressure there, Prue threaded her way
through the crowd, and hurried up
stairs to the duchess private apart
ments. The way led past the little
conservatory where h had @ with
Robin last night. 1t was dark now
and the entrance was blocked with
u b containing the orange trees and
shrubs which had adorned the grand
staircase and entrance hall. Prue's
heart beat a shade faster and a pang
Of remorse assailed her at the thought
that by introducing Robin to this Sc
questered part of the house h had
exceeded her privilege as a guest, and
exposed Dot Robin and herself to a
suspicion that only her utmost ingen-
uity could dissipate.
In the duchess dressing room a little
thrSng Of ladies-in waiting and init
mate friends welcomed her warmly.
Deep concern sat upon every face as
they listened to the hysterical cries and
means. in which the patient in the ad-
Joining bedroom gave expression to her
sufferings, and the broken, exclama-
tons and fierce ~lnyectives by which she
called upon her doctors and attendants
TO bear witness to h ingratitude and
perfidy Of the queen, and the baseness
Of her minions.
While Prue hesitated about intrud-
ing, the doctor and the apothecary
came out. The former hurried away
with a red face and air of offended
dignity, and his satellite only fingered
long enough to assure the ladies tbs
her grace, having refused to be blooded
and having ordered the two medicos
from her presence under pain OF a
drenchtng with their own potions,
nothing could be done for her until
she could be brought into q more rea-
sonable mood.
Il must see her at once" said Prue,
with decision. IT have a cure for her
malady far more efficacious than all
the court physicians nostrums."
Why, do you come from the queen?
Has h found her diamond necklace?'
"A dozen eager QueStionerB crowded
about her, but with a smile of mys-
ferrous but encouraging significance,
Prue reiterated her demand and at last
escaped from further Interrogation, by
making her way unannounced into the
presence of h duchess.
The great lady lay upon her bed, her
disordered dress and disheveled hair
revealing the ravages of time, which
she usually disguished with so much
skill. Fer ttre-women vainly attempted
to soothe her by chatting her feet and
hands and tanning her flushed and
swollen face.
who is THAR" she screamed, catch
ing sight Of Prue. go away-I can
not see ~anyone-I- am very ILL am
dying! Make haste to a. your court
to Masham-Masham! the creature I
raised out OF the mire-the Kitchen
wench, who will queen II tomorrow
when I am dead! Oh! oh! obi" And
the Mysteries were resumed with wilder
frenzy than ever.
Leave her to me-" said Prue to the
women. Il can cure her, but I must
have her to myself for a few minutes. :"
They looked from one to the other with
bewiidered. eyes, wondering at Prue's
audacity, yet unable to resist her calm
tone of authority. "
When they had withdrawn to the
farther end of the room, she bent over
the shrieking, raving duchess, and said.
In a quiet, penetrating voice, "The
necklace Is no lost, 1t is quite SAFE
The cries ceased with almost lu-
dicrous suddenness. What do YOU
say?" gasped the patient.