The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-02-13
CHAPTER XXI.
AN AFFAIR OF FAMILY.

y u VI
embarrassment. Lord Beachcombe's
last visit to Lady Dru1nloch's house
mad been under circumstances that
made the present n quite unforeseen.
Also he had not met Sir Godfrey since
their hostile encounter in HYDE mark.
therefore a meeting in the presence of
the woman who had been so disturbing
IAN element in both their lives. was
mutually disconcerting.
Sir Godfrey was the first to recover
nlmseif. greeting the new arrival with
exaggerated ~politeness and inouiring
after his health with a solicftude that
Lord Beachcombe did not attempt to
reciprocate- The wound he had re-
celEed from Sir G~eoffrey's sword was
slight enough to be patched up with a
rev strips of ~courtplaster; the wound
TO ms vanity still gaped. He looked
Geoffrey. pressing several impassioned
Kisses upon Prue's reluctant hand. bade
her "a brief adieu," and slowly backed
himself TO the door.
i trust l am not driving Sir Geoff-
combe, stiffly.
BY nc means" cried Prue with alac-
r1ty. Sir Godfrey was taking
his leave when you entered
Sir Gesffrey. farewell. No doubt we
SNAIL meet at Lady Rialton's, or else
@here, later IN the day; our world is
SehA nv 6St dWdvI from Ona
another even for an hour; don't Won
ma 1t sometimes rows monotonous
Lord Beachcombe? p"
AS the door closed upon the parting
guest, Beachcombe approached her
with an air of distant respect. howinp
profoundly, with his hand unon his
breast.
Pardon this intrusion, Lady Pr1-
dence, and permit me to lay my homage
at your feet" he said.
Prue curtsied again. Pray, nv lord.
40 not u me by apologizing for
sweet smile. B seated, and let me
offer you a cup Of chocolate,
The little torment had jumped quick
~ to the conclusion that some motive
of strong personal interest had brought
ner Old lover to the house he had never
entered since. scarcely a year ago, their
troth had been broken with bitter
words n thinly yelled insults on both
sides. Her quick intuition warned her
that his visit might. very possibly, add
another sna to the tangle in which
she felt herself becoming hopelessly en-
and skill to keep him on tenter hooks.
and give herself time to gather her
forces, while she discussed frothy scan
dals and airy nothings, pretending not
to notice his lack of response and ill
represssd impatience, until suddenly
SAS ioh oPoil III Hex Clear anu
dazzling glance al changed her tao
tics without a moments warning.
But l had forgotten" she said.
how little care about scandal and
poetry, n I can scarcely fatter nv
self that my frivolous conversation can
be very entertaining to you. My tongue
runs away with me sadly, doesn't it? I
dare say you remember of old what a
chatterbox I am. Well" with a sud-
den change of tone, nov tell me what
really brought you to see me?"
Her abrupt question had the intended
enec OF confusing her visitor and
throwing him off his guard, while her
ingenious smile disarmed him.
Your conversation is delightful at
all times, Lady Prudence" he began
hurriedly; $50 much information-such
Tah-intimate knowledge of society
and literature is as rare as it is agree
able. Nothing should I enjoy SO much.
If I did not have my head SO full of a
subject Whtch-a-priyate family affair
-which-which-
He trailed off helplessly, and she let
him founder until his embarrassment
ceased to amuse her. Then she said
quietly:
eHow d I be OF n assistance to
you, Lord Beachcolnbe, ina private
family affair? That seems quite out
of my province
.sAlas!xI am but too we'll aware that
/ have forfeited all right tt ask favors
of you, Viscountess' he pleaded, .but
4 know your generous nature so we'll
that I am emboldened to east myself
o your mercy"
You fiatter met" she cried, with her
dazzling smile. What can my gem
erosity and mercy do for Lord Beach
combe?'
Il scarcely know. IT'S but an idea;
d mere catching at a straw. Still, ]
have been credibly informed that you
were decoyed last night to the den Of
Robin Freemantle. the highway rob-
Der, whence. with unparalleled courage,
you rescued the queens NECKLACE
surely she interrupted. with some
impatience. 'her majesty's necklace
can not be your private family af-
fair?"
He laughed explosiFely rs nothing
sacred to YOU, Lady Prudence? / only
Wished to felicitate you upon your most
Remarkable adventure, and its brilliant
result, and to irnplore you to tell me If
you found any papers or documents In
the-the place where h necklace was
hidden"
wa the necklace hidden any