Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1913-03-21

marry q rlcn man who could pay her
debts. You understand. than one such
as SIR Godfrey, who is himself only
kept out of prison by being in parlia-
ment. Now, it is more than likely that
such a gay gallant has many a little
ENHANCEMENT or intrigue or wha not.
that 1t would be useful for me to
know about, and any one who could
serve me by discovering some such
irregularity would do a true kindness
to the lady and help himself at the
same time"
Goodridge laughed again. and empty
ing his glass, refilled it and held it
with an unsteady hand between his
bleary eye and the dim window.
AaronS watched him with a wry smile,
patient and sardonic. looking for he
psychological IN when his lips
would unclose under the influence of
the repeated bumpers.
Boy" he called to the attendant.
another bottle; shall it be the same,
Parson?"
This is fair, but they've a better
one replied Goodridge, smacking his
Bring us a bottle of the best you
have Aarons ordered. and when it
came he filled both glasses and pro-
posed the health of the beautiful Wis
countess, n q rich husband for her.
Again Goodridge laughed. and this
time with such %rapturous glee that
Aarons was quite COMPOUNDED.
What a merry fellow you are. Par
son." he grunted. I'D give a guinea
to kno what you are laughing at"
"A guinea" cried Goodridge. You
would give more than that. I'll war
rant. l was thinking that there's no
more chance for Sir Godfrey Beaude-
anlple-or me-"
You think not?' queried Aarons,
passing owe the personal application
of the remark with q mental reserva-
ton.
II Know it," said Goodridge, with
ON it,
Your oath may be priceless" said
Aarons. but can only pay for proof
And what" said Goodridge, setting
down his empty glass. may you be
willing to pay for proof hat Sir Geof-
Lady Prudence?"
judgment against you, Parson, for e43
and costs. l will vacate the Judgment
and give o five guineas. It's a lib
cral offer for-I know not what"
For answer h reverend gentleman
leaned across the table and extending
his right hand within a few inches of
Aaron6s nose, snapped his fingers half
a dozen times.
That for your Judgment" he shout
ed truculently. I'm in the Rules for
life and you can neither keep me in
nor let me out. Why. man, I've a score
OF Judgments against me. and il YOU
vacated yours l should be no better
or; nay, worse. for it might remind
the creditors who have long since for
gotten me. No. no, most excellent
money lender, my secret may be worth
hoShlng or 1t may be worth much,
bus an.S; cash can buy it-ready cash.
Aarons. with a scowling brow. re-
,ected. Was it worth a large sum to
oreak on match between those two
ileadstrong young people? If Goodridge
was to be believed, the marriage was
impossible. n no expenditure of his
beloved gold vas needed to prevent II.
on the other hand. the triumph of prov
lns TO Prue some hidden treason Of
slr Geo1frey's alfured him. and the
possibility hat she might ayenRe her
self by taking another and Weather
husband. included the probability of
that other husband being the one to
enlighten her and offer himself as tn.
ready instrument of retaliation.
II will give you 10 guineas cash" he
said. after a pause.
When o know my secret. Won will
think 1T cheap at 10 times 10 guineas."
said Goodridge.
Aarons rose and began to button his
surtout. II see." he said. that we are
NOT ilke TO agree. and as my time is
YOU will excuse me if | leave
you to finish the bottle alone" AS he
spoke. he allowed some loose coins
20 rattle In his pocket. and in paving
the reckoning. pulled out a handful OF
golden guineas and tossed one to the
waiter. VIZ
The sight of the money produced the
effect he had expected. Goodridge's
moist eyes glistened and his lips p,lrsed
themselves greedily. sit down.
Aarons. he said thickly." and have a
parting glass"
With an air Of reserve and i'll humor
the usurer poured a small quantity of
VINE into his glass and without resum-
ing ms seat nodded to his guest. and
mutterlng something that might have
bcen either n toast or a malediction-
silpped 1T with a d~eprecatory express.
sion.
Come. now" said Goodridee. after
waiting Eainly for him to renew; the
negotiation. what is it really worth
10 o to stop this marriage?"
1t nay not be worth a great deal
10 me- said Aarons carelessly. but he
SAT doWn; 'you never can account for
women,s vagaries. II l get her out OF
this affair, she may do worse instead
Of better"
She can't do worse chuckled Good
ridge. But Aarons had not the ke o
his merriment and all his suspicious
"cAS CcHlefeu on some objectionable
misdeed OF the ELECT.
Were o going to tell her SO when
I met o at her house ?" he INQUIRED.
smiling grimly. What do you ex-
pect to get from herr"
That's my business he retorted. But
I wasn't going to offer her any secrets
for sale. oh! no., the Lady Prudence
is my good friend, and II / need a few
guineas, she's too kind hearted to re-
fuse me-"
Suddenly it dawned upon Aarons that
there was something sinister in the sit
nation. a u,ouoon Iil,o <Lo Vyt.o~,-A>-.