The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-04-03

have forgotten M wallet"
The contents OF that wallet, Sir
Highwayman, concern matters of too
great Importance, for either of us to
deal with. 1t shall be placed in the
hands of those most interested-when
you are out of th5ir reach" was the
reply, pompously delivered.
Il cannot leave this place without
that wallet" said Robin resolutely.
IT'S worth more than life to me, n
rather than purchase my freedom at
the price of its surrender, 1 will re-
main here and risk the worst"
"Robin!" cried Prue, in a voice Of
anguish. Have pity OF me II not on
yourself"
Would you nave me sacrifice a hun
dred lives to ave my OWN" said
Robin, unf%linchingly, though pale to
the lips. With dropping head, she sank
upon a bench, her courage for h first
time failing. Lord Beachcombe looked
from one to the other with a scowl
as black as thunder, then with a sud
den impulse >snatched up the wallet
and almost flung 1T into Robins hand.
GO" he shouted; "go quickly, be-
fore 1 nave time to repent my folly,
and remember that other swords will
soon be thirsting for your life," and
he laughed harshly, as he turned
abruptly away and walked to the far
Their end OF the hall.
Then Robin approached Prue and
taking her hand, said gently: "A
thousand pardons, dear heart of my
heart. I must seem an u~ngrateful
churl; but oh, II you could know
/ will write"
YES, yes" she interrupted feverish-
~, but now go q~uickly-every mo-
ment's delay is fatal to you-and to
me" the last words were murmured
inaudibly. How soon can you reach
some safe concealment?"
Very soon; in less than an hour, y"
he said. Il leave o in Steve's care;
he will conduct you home and protecS
you with his life"
"T'rst YOU must take him with you
anC send him back when o are on
the road to safety. I hive pledged
your precious packet" she said, smil-
ing bravely up at him." and when
Steve returns to say you are safe, l
shall give it to Lord BeachcOmbe. 1t
is the price of your ransom"
But you"
"Don't you understand" she cried,
impatiently, that / am like a cat?
No matter where 1 am thrown, l al
ways fall on my feet. Do not fear
for me. but begOne, and If you love
me, do not attempt to see me again.
Farewell"
1t was no place for the tender adieux
vi I"bA Nlil5 L lCSSC AlCL lluLlu
~passionately to his lips, threw his cloak
round him, and with a brief salute to
Beachcombe-Who look no notice of 1t
STROBE away, followed by Steve.
10 When their footsteps ceased to re-
vertebrate under the colonnade, Beach
combe approached Prue with a friend
ly smile.
Permit me, lear viscountess. to Of
fer my congratulations" he said. You
have indeed prepared q charming sur
prise for our friends-and enemies, If
one so adorable could by any posi-
bility have any such"
Her answering laugh had the old ring
Of sweet, contagious mirth. "Circum-
stances have forced me to reveal my
secret rather prematurely," she said.
but l can trust you lordship's dis
cretitlon not to share it-with my dear
friends-and enemies"
"Oh, we will give your husband time
to escape before we impart the joyful
news to-Sir Godfrey Beaudesert, for
example"
+ Prue experienced IN unpleasant
shock as he pronounced this NAME, in
a tone Of malevolent triumph. This
man, who had nc cause to love either
herself or Robin, evidently purposed
using the secret he had torn from her
in some hateful scheme of retaliation,
Of which Sir Godfrey was to be the
VlCIln ana eXGCuLlOner.
why Sir Geoffrey?" she murmured,
half to herself.
Because I hate Sir Godfrey" said
B~eachcombe, with cold bitterness. He
has insulted me and triumphed over
me-who can know how so well as you?
He has worsted me in a duel and boasts
that he will tame the lovely sorce-
ress who has bewitched so many-my-
self among them-to their undoing. I
hate him M I shall never be salts
fed until l see him reft of what I also
have lost-impoverished-in a debtors
prison." he checked himself at the
sight Of the indignant horror his words
had reused. Il can wait, however," he
wen on, less vehemently. 1T will sat
isfy me, for the present, to feel my
power Over him, without using 1t. How
can l accommodate your ladyship
while you wait for the captains mes
senger? You cannot wait here: will
you honor me by accepting the pool
hospitality of my house?"
II can perfectly well wait here she
replied, seating herself on the bench.
Your countess would be somewhat
amazed to receive a visit from me at
5 o'clock in the morning-in my ball
dress. Even the Widow Brooke must
draw the line somewhere"