The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-08-08

He would take no further excuse BIZ;
insisted upaa Lord Bayncham's returning
home Al once. He was impatient 10 be
there. Daring all thar long, dreary ride,
his wife's sweet pale face had been be-
fore h.m-thc sad eyes filed with tears.
When Lord Bayneham reached the
Castle gates his horse was covered With
foam. and The groom who came 70 attend
him wondered why Lis master, usually sc
careful. had ridden SO madly. But Lord
B~ayncham Gained himself before seeing
any member Of his family. almost sm.lins
al the excitement which had urged hin
on. He went direct 10 his wife's room and
knocked At the door. No one replied.
there was no sound within-a profound,
unbroken silence reicned over the stump
trous suite Of rooms. He opened the dooI
gently. thinking il probable that his wife
slept. and went in: but the fair young
face that ever greeted him with a smile
was absent.
All he said to himself, 'she is better
then. ard has gone down 70 the drawing
rorrl. l am glad"
Yet as he stood looking upon the elegant
G~iSarray @: me .-oom, a cold, strange fear
crept In. MS heart. and numbcj il: ne
could n ,&1!a.u why or what-a pre-
sentimeu. Of coming evil. A little watch,
richly jeweled, lay ticking upon the table;
N the vases fragrant heliotropes-his
wife's f~avorite tlower-cave out q rich per-
fumc: a volume she had been reading lay
with the leaves still open. and everything
bore The trace Of her presence. But where
was she:
Lord Bayncham hastily descended TO the
drawing room. where the ladies Of the
family generally sat. Barbara was there
reading. bur no golden head was raised
at his entrance.
"Where is Hilda:" he asked abruptly
Il do not know replied Miss Earle,
looking at him in some surprise. Il have
hot seen her since morning.
Just then Lady Bayneham entered, with
q cold, proud expression on her face, that
her son knew well.
where is IIi.da. mother:" he asked,
impatently. Il thought she was with
YOU"
Your wife does not honor me with her
society" was the reply. most haughtily
given. Il went this morning 70 her room.
but was decidedly refused Emission. l
certainly shall not trouble h.. again"
pUl NAtIt Is SIC G-A-.l It4IlsAIAtI
the ear, secretly admirin- lis wifc's
spirit.
You had better summon her maid and
inquire" replied the countess Indifferent
u; Il know nothing OF her"
Lord Bayneham quilted the room. equal
y angry ~ Barbara Ear."'s easy non
rhal.At. and his mothers pride.
"N'h.re ! Your laiy :" lie inquired ot
pau..ar. who began - Halter herself that
the yDua- earl liked talking - her.
Ny lady is out" .he replied. The
rar-.u:- was ordered some hours since.
aa,i has not yr1~ returned
Ior! B.yAeham gave a s;.h Of mingled
-el;et and imua,:ea,4.
"D:i she-iid your lady say where she
was ~.o.as:'' he inqu:r d.
NO" was the reply: my lady only
said she was soing for a long drive. She
looked very III. my lord. and quite unfit 10
be out long"
Lord Bayneham stamped his foot i'm
patiently. Why had he gone to Oulsron:
Why had he allowed anything or any one
TO come between him and his fair. gentle
wife: lie was ashamed to ask any more
questions. or people would surely think
him childish. But he could not remain in
the house; he wcn, out and walked again
whore he could see the high road and
each the first glimpse Of the carriage.
One hour passed. and there was no sign
of the carriage. The evening began 70
set in. the sun : TX in the golden west. the
dew fell upon Inc flowers. and the birds
called all wanderers home 10 their
nests but still Lord Bayneham paced
the walk alone. uAtil he heard the dressing
bell ring.
She must be here soon" said The young
husband to himself.
Amongst his wiie's qualities Ae had Al.
ways admired the one Of punctuality. lie
never remembered 70 have been kept
waiting or 70 haze seen her late. This
comfortcd him. She knew the dinner hour,