The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-05-23

now one of those white lilies. ] shah
know then in the morning that my happi'
ness is real. not n dream
She gave him what he asked, and The
time came when those two withered flow
ers were more precious to the young earl
than all the world besides. As he was
leaving the house he heard Il bell ring
violently. and half wondered who it could
be ringing in such hot haste.
Tell Lord Eayueham. as soon as he re-
turns. that | wi>h 10 see him particular
~ l shall be in my own room.
50 said Lady Rayneham. in her coolest
voice. intended for Barbara's benefit. She
had not vouchsated one word 10 the young
girl herself. choosing 10 consider her in a
state OF rebellion
Claude's face did not express any rap
turous delight when the obedient domes-
tie delivered her ladyship's message. He
loved his mother dearly; he had the deep
est respect and admiration for her beau
~ and talents. her grace and dignity
she was his complete ideal of a British
peeress; but. if the truth must be told.
the young earl held his mother in whole
some awe. He feared nothing upon earth;
no danger ever awed him. no fear ever
daunted him: but he could not face his
lady mother when he had offended or dis
pleased her.
zone more battle" he muttered TO him
self. then all will be plane sailing" But
Lady Bayneham's greeting astonished
him.
My dear boy she cried. my poor
Claude-what does all this mean
"All what. mother" he asked. briefly.
"Barbara's strange conduct" she re-
piled. "She tells me she has given YOU
your freedom. | asked no questions from
hcr-l felt too angry. Tell me. have you
accepted it,
Il have said Lord B~ayneham, and
gladly. too. / am of Barbara's opinion
our engagement was q terrible mistake.
She is a noble girl, and | love her az
though she were my own sister; but | can
never care more for her than | do now"
Lady ~Bayneham's face grew white with
anger.
1T seems | am utterly ignored in the
matter she said bitterly.
Not ignored. mother" replied Claude,
gayly: but you see, as the matter rested
with Barbara and myself. we settled our
own affairs"
Il never admire tlippancy." was the
naughty reply; iii is not IN good taste
from you to me. Claude"
Il beg your pardon. mother" he replied.
earnestly. Il only meant to say it was a
matter that concerns ourselves alone"
Tell me one thing" cried Lady Bayne.
ham-"has Barbara dismissed you? or
have you ceased to love her."
Barbara dismissed me-" he replied,
with q strange smile.
Then she is a false, faithless girl. and
must be brought to reason said the coun-
tess. Indignantly.
Hush. mother said the earl. "She Is
the noblest and truest Of women. She
dismissed me because she saw that | had
learned I. love some one else truly and
dearly. She would not stand between me
and happiness. | should never have nam
ed my love: | should have married Bar
bara. and endured my life as | could. But
she saw it. and set me free"
1t is just as | expected" was her
ladyship's indignant comment-"a set of
ridiculous. sentimental ideas. SO YOU. nv
lord. have broken Your faith, if not your
word. with the 'noblest of women You
fly in the very face of society; you set the
world and all its laws at defiance-and for
what:-for the love of some fair. foolish
face. or, perhaps worse, | cannot tell"
b just, mother said Lord Bayne-
ham. II have done all you say for love
Of the sweetest, l~oveliest and purest girl
the world ever saw"
Favor me with the name of your new
love" said the ountess contemptuously.
Il have no wish to hear any absurd rhap-
sodies.'
The girl | love and have asked to be my
wife. is llilda Hutton. Lady Hutton's
ward. he replied. Il beg you. mother.
to say what You will of me, but spare her.
love her. and she will be my wife"
Never with my consent" exclaimed
the countess. Il forbid any such folly.
| insist upon your returning to your al
legiancc-to Barbara, and forgetting this
fair. foolish
Hush said Lord Bayneham, his face
growing dark and stcrn-"not one word
against her. There are limits to a mans
patience. mother"
And To his courtesy, it seems re-
torted the lady. Il refuse to hear one
word more. If | could believe you scri-
GUS, tiaude my sorrow would be so great
II would nearly kill me-. When you have
thought better of it. come to me again
WITH Il naughty gesture the countess
thus dismissed her son.
CTo be continuedO