The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-05-30
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER NV.
Lady Bayneham forgot all her own
cherished notions of etiquette. and warm
~ pressed the lonely young girl to return
with her to Grosvenor Square, but moth
ing would induce IIilda to leave the house.
She was too young. too inexperienced. to
know that time would soften her grief.
Mr.. Ahelson, assisted by Lord Bayne-
ham. undertook all arrangements for the
funeral, Lady Hutton was laid to rest
near the bonny woods of Brynmar, whore
the greater part of her life had been
spent Lord Bayneham was chief mourn
er. AMI two distant cousins of Lady Hut
tons, cooking ont for Il legacy. were there
also.
You will attend in the library for the
reading Of the will, Miss Hutton" said
the family lawyer, after their return to
London.
llilda bowed assent. She was very ST.
lent in these the first days of her bereave-
ment, and she seemed half shy, half fright
ened, when with Lady Bayneham. The
poor wounded child found her greatest
comfort with Barbara-noble, unselish
Barbara. who forgot when she carcssed
IL ld4l Hcib aliO pdllcd tHt EOi'Itl Idll
from the sad, sweet face. that she was in
the presence of her rival, the one who had
stolen from her her love. She saw a
-rieying. sorrowful, lonely girl in place
of the brilliant young beauty who had won
Claude's heart, and Hilda chung 10 her as
she would have done to a sister of her
own.
Miss Earle spent the time that inter
vened between Lady Hutton's death and
funeral with Hilda. She did not leave
her night or day: and Claude, who after
that one interview did not like to ask Cor
another, found his only comfort in hear
ing from Barbara the loving little mes
sages sent by his fair-haired wife that
was to be.
The will was but a short one. Tho two
cousins We're not forgotten: Il handsome
legacy repaid them for all their affection.
ate solicitude over the poor lady's health.
Every old servant was remembered. and
the beautiful sta of Brynmar. the
house in London, money in the funds. car
riagcS, horses, jewels and plate. were all
bequcathed by Lady Hutton to her adopt
ed daughter. Iilda. who thereby b4cam"
one of the richest heiresses in England.
II was all her own, to do what she would
with. without any stipulations or condi-
tons. but Lady Hutton hoped she would
never part with Brynmar. There was no
mention of her adoption or of her parent
age, not a word that gave any clew To it
whatever.
Il must congratulate you, Miss Hut
ton said the lawyer, when the bill was
read.
Il wish, though" interrupted Hilda,
with tears III her eyes. that there had
been one word of my mother"
Two guardians We're appointed u take
charge of the young heiress. They were
Mr.. Abelson and DR.. Greyling. who had
been Lady IIutton's confidential friends
for many years. Until she was twenty
ope a certain income was TO be- allowed
her. and Brynmar was to be her home. un-
less she married before then. in which
case she would Immediately come into
full possession of her property.
For several days the lonely young heir
ess remained in the large solitary house.
seeing no one but Barbara and occasion
ally Lady Bayneham. She would not see
Claude yet; she knew his presence would
bring with il such a rush of happiness. il
seemed almost a sacrilege to think of it.
She resolved to return to Brynmar. BY
Mr.. Abelson's advice and assistance an
elderly lady was found who, in considcra-
ton of a handsome yearly income. con
scented 10 live as duenna and chaperon
with Miss Hutton; the two guardians
having decided thar she was far TOO
young and too pretty To live alone.
Il fancy our responsibility will soon
end" said DR.. Greyling. with a quiet
smile. Lord Bayneham will be very
happy, | think, TO relieve us of it,
1t was nearly the end of June when
Hilda and Mrs. Braye returned to Bryn-
mar, Barbara having given her promise
10 meet Hilda when the London season
was quite over.
When she returned To her early home
Hilda resolved to search amongst Lady
Hutton's letters and papers TO see if il
We're possible 10 find any clew to her
adoption and parentage.
In the grand library at Brynmar stood
a large oaken bureau, where the poor
lady had been wont TO keep all letters
and papers. There Hilda searched: there
she found letters worn and yellow with
age. love letters written by the gay and
dashing Lord Hutton to the quiet, digni-
fed Miss Erskine; but neither there nor