The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-08-01

When he Joined his wife and her
father in the study or the latter Kate
asked neryously:
"You have not said anything against
Grace to Sir Victor, have you, Ro-
land?"
Certainly not" was the reply; but
tioning me-"
take place tomorrow" said Lord Lii
burne decidedly. "Grace is unfit to be
the wife of any honorable man"
Il think she must have been mad
that night Kate said gently; Il have
often thought so since
''She was thoroughly bad" returned
the baron gloOmily; ''she is only too
like her mother"
Soon after this they retired TO rest.
Lord Lilburne grateful and satisfied
at the recovery of his best-beloyed
daughter, and she happy beyond the
power of words to tell in the blissful
possession of her husbands love, and
her restoration TO her father.
The only cloud that cast a shadow
upon the perfect contentment Of both
was the treachery Of Grace and the
question as TO what would become of
her.
When the cold gray morning dawn
ed the snow rustled at the windows
as Ii had done a year ago when the
eldest daughter of the Lilburnes was
lost and could not De found.
Grace sat up in bed and wondered
If the past year had been a dream;
but at the sight Of her wedding dress
spread out on couch at the further
end of the room convinced her of the
reality of all that had passed.
But she would not or could not
think. neither would she allow herself
to realize the possibility that Rates
return would in any way interfere
with her own marriage.
She meant 10 carry out everything
with a high hand, to deny any charge
made against her. and 20 defy her sis
ter's husband to prove anything
against her.
In this frame of mind she rang
for her morning cup Of tea, and
the maid brought the tray, on
which, besides the cup of tea ana
toast, there was a carefully sealed
note.
For second or two she did not
break the seal, but when the waiting
woman had left the room she tore
the letter open wildly and read It's
brief contents:
Your own conscience Grace Lii
burne, will probably tell you why |
refuse 10 fulfil my engagement TO mar
ry YOU this morning. ! oi:e- - fur
Their explanation or excuse for he step
| am about to take, but SIN ready to
bear all consequences which yOu or
anybody belonging ID yoU may think
mt 10 intict upon me. by the time
this reaches you | shall De ON ny way
10 London where. as soon rs the law
will permit, Marian Hindmau Will be-
come my wife"
This was signed Victor Gayacrd"
and had evidently been written with
a total disregard for the feelings of
the wretched girl to whom it was adj
dressed.
Her reason had been lettering on
its throne for some months past.
though neither Grace nor her friends
knew 1t, and now the last bolt bad
fallen, and she started up madly from
her bed wild ard dangerous maniac.
The servants met her as she was on
lltl way ithiuS
frantically, to the disuSed tower
They secured her and doctor was
sent for, AMI all that care and skill
could do for her was done. hlt moth
ing could save the unhappy Il.
For few days she fingered i'll great
pain and mental agony, but as the old
year was dying she likewise drifted
away into the unknown.
Her death was a relief to all who
were connected with her.
Another year swiftly passes by and
Christmas Day is again upon us.
But this day Is the brightest of all
to three for Kate and her husband
and her father.
To the baron a grandson has been
born who will bear his name, and one
day will succeed to his title, and the
old Deer is, if possible, more proud Of
the tiny boy than are his fond parents.
Nothing, indeed, is wanting to COM
plete Hates perfect happiness,
though even now she sometimes re-
members with a shudder that awful
moment when she was victim to
heartlesS treachery.
THE ENDD