The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-08-01

pest of sorrow became calm, and TIE beat
ing, rebellious heart grew still.
Il must bear it." said Lady Hilda TO
herself; and many others, by the bare
utterance of these words, have learned to
endure heavy sorrows in silence.
Lord Bayneham was III at ease. He
loved his beautiful young wife with a de-
votion that knew no limits. He could
not. in his widest dreams, imagine her
capable of even an ~imprudence; and he
wondered. until wonder became pain,
what she was keeping from him. He did
not see how it was possible for Lady
llilda TO have any secrets; the simple
story of her life was an open book in
which he had read every charming, inno-
cent page. As for any love nonsense, he
would sooner have suspected a bright
winged angel of mercy than his pure, low
ing. gentle wife. He would have dismiss
ed the whole affair as nonsense but for
her XVI words-her own admission that
she had a secret which she could not share
with him.
He stood in the library; a mass of pap
ers lay in a confused heap upon the table,
all awaiting his attention, but he had
none to spare for them. 1t was seldom
the young Lord of Bayneham bore so dis
turbed an expression on his comely face.
He was AT Il standstill. and knew not
what to do. If for n moment he felt an
cry with his young wife, the remembrance
of her Words-her pale, wistful face lying
on his brcast-came over him. and all
anger melted away.
As he was pondering over what to do,
and pcrpleNed by many thoughts, Bar
bara Earle entered the room-Barbara.
whose noble, soul-lit face looked serene
and calm. For a moment Lord Bayne-
hams whole heart seemed to go out to
meet her. There was no mystery. no con-
cealment here, nothing but clear, glorious
truth in the dark eyes raised to his face.
What is the matter. Claude?" she
asked, gayly: you look as uninteresting
as possible-almost cross. in fact. Surely
YOU are not thinking of this nonsense
about Eilda's bracelet? Lady Bayneham
has just been telling me where you
found it,"
And how do you imagine it came
there asked the earl of his cousin.
II should never try to discover" re-
piled Barbara. perhaps Hilda's maid
took it to be cleaned or repaired, or
something else. and dropped it; or, perhaps
Hilda walked in her sleep. I tell you
what, Claude: | should imagine every
combination Of strange and singular cir
cumstances before | dared to think even
the slightest wrong of one SO pure and
gentle as your wife,
But it seems strange said Lord
B%ayneham. The thing that puzzles me
most is, that she seems so frightened-she
trembles at the very mention of the
word"
rs she frightened:' asked Barbara,
earnestly. Then my idea is a correct
ono. Rely upon il. Claude, there is some
little mystery, and Hilda is shielding
some one else from blame"
she ought at least coniidc in me-" said
Lord Bayncham.
perhaps she fears your anger for the
real culprit," said Miss Earle.
Il do not think So" replied her cousin;
'she talks so tragically to me. poor child,
that am afraid there is something not
quite straightforward. She tells me she
cannot explain"
Then replied Barbara. with generous
spirit, ST she says so. Claude, never seek
to know the rest. When a pure, guile
less woman, like Hilda, wishes to keep a
secret, be noble, and allow her TO do so.
Rely upon it, her motive j~ustihes her"
You love my wife, Barbara said Lord
Bayneham.
THAT / do replied Barbara. "truly
and warmly. | have implicit faith in her.
Why, Claude, remember that sweet face.
What could ii hide?-no sin. no error, no
wrong. | am sure. Depend upon it, this
little affair of the bracelet, so perversely
magnifed, is nothing after all. Most prob
ably Pauline has been careless, and Hilda
shields her from blame"
Lord Bayneham kissed his cousins
hand. loving her better in that moment
than he had ever done before. She smiled
as she quilted the library. leaving the sun
shine of her brave, generous words behind
her.
No one loved or believed in Lady Hilda
more strongly thar her husband. He
wanted TO make his mother share that
faith. For himself, Barbara's words al
most satisfied him. If he could but con-
vince Lady Bayneham! He resolved TO
see the maid herself, and question her.
He did so, and she looked very pretty and
smiling as she stood before him.
Il I'm thinking of ordering a jewel ease
for Lady Bayneham," he said. 81 wish
to surprise her with it. Give me the size
of the one she uses"
With smiling. coquettish grace the maid
complied; and there was nothing like even
a shadow of fear on her face.
Il am afraid the case in use is not a
secure one" continued Lord Bayneham;
and | have some reasons for believing
her ladyship's jewels are not Well kept"
Pauline venturcd respectfully to deny
the assertion. asking. as was natural,
what the reason was.
Il found a bracelet in the park this
morning" said Lord Bayneham. (which
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