The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-07-11
CHAPTER XXIV.

1t was the beginning of the glowing,
beautiful month of August when Lord
B~ayneham returned with his fair young
wife to the castle. The country around
was in the prime of its summer beauty;
the blue summer sky, the dense green
foliage, the spreading trees and bloom
ing flowers We're all in full perfection.
The young earl and his wife were
alone, but their guests were expected in
the course of n few days. Hilda had
wished it to be so; for she wanted to
accustom herself to the place where she
had lately suffered so keenly. She want
ed time to visit the cottage where her
mother died, and the lonely grave where
she slept the last long sleep that knows
no waking. She knew the sight of these
places would bring back her sorrow,
and she wanted time to suffer alone and
unheeded.
Lady Hilda could not account for the
prcsentiment of coming dread that seized
her-a strange oppression that she could
not express or describe. A strange dream,
too, haunted her; it was that in the
midst of the glowing summer she lay lead
at B~ayneham.
The expected guests arrived one by one.
The countess and her niece came first;
then BERTHE Carlyon. Mr.. Fulton was not
expected until evening, and there was
some little discussion respecting him at
lunch.
81 begin to WISH" said Lord Bayneham,
that we had invited Lady Grahame; for
from all quarters I hear of her con-
quest"
Better not" said Barbara dryly; "for
if you wish to engross Mr.. Fulton in poll
tics, love would interfere sadly with
your arrangements"
BERTHE made a very expressive bow, I'M
derstanding perfectly the quiet import of
Miss Earle's little speech.
You are right, Barbara" said her
aunt. What age is this friend of yours,
Claude?" she continued; you have never
told ne if he is young or old"
Il should be puzzled" said Lord Bayne-
ham. II declare that 7 have no idea as
to his age; he is either an old young man
or a young old one, l do not know which"
"He is somewhere between forty and
fifty, ! should imagine said BERTHE. "He
is very handsome, and has a careless man
ner that concealS all trace of age"
He will be here at seven" said Lord
fayneham, and dinner must be delayed
half an hour, | suppose"
When seven o'clock came. Lord Bayne-
ham was ready to greet his expected
guest. Lady Hilda had been detained by
some visitors. who seemed resolved to
wear out her sweet. gentle patience, but
did not succeed. She did not take much
interest in the coming visitor; indeed, he
never once entered her mind.
When dressed for dinner, Lady Hilda
Went down as usual into the drawing
room. where. as ii rule, the family assem-
bled. The SUM-. shining still on the bloom
ing flowers and ripping fountains. tempt
ed her. and she went out from the long.
open French window, and walked down
the path where roses and lilies seemed
to smile IA welcome. On that day she
wore II dress that enhanced her singular
beauty; ii was of rich white crepe, art-
i~stically made. The golden hair that
waved upon her white, shapely shoulders
was bound by a simple, pretty wreath of
jesSamine. and she looked like a goddess
of flowers as she stood amongst them.
Barbara Earle joined her there.
When Mr.. Fulton entered the drawing
room his host led him up 10 Lady Bayne-
ham. who received him with the requisite
mixture of hauteur and condrScension