The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-09-12
XXXVIII.

On the following morning the reserved,
melancholy Lord Rayneham spent more
than an hOur in one of the finest toy
shops in London, and selected n parcel
of toys that would gladden. the heart OF
any child. He was punctual to his ap-
Dointment. and found Captain Massey
ready for him.
''The weather is fine: we shall have n
glorious drive" said the Captain; but
what is this enormous parcel! 1t came
some hours since, to be left here for YOU"
ut contains nothing but toys for Lilo
nel," said Lord Bayneham, blushing like
u schoolgirl as he spoke.
1t was II glorious drive; the sweet May
evening was full Of beauty; earth and
sky seemd to smile. The hawthorn II
chestnut were in bloom, the fragrance
of spring blossoms filled the mir. They
said but little. Captain Massey seemed
lost in thought, and Lord Bayneham was
dreaming of the May morning years ago
when he had first met the fair young girl
who seemed lost to him forever.
1t was a sad face upon which Mrs.
Massey gazed when she welcomed her
old f~avorite TO the house.
My son told me how altered you
were she said, holding out both hands 10
Lord Bayneham.
Life has not been a path Of roses for
me he replied,
Nor FOR any Of us interrupted the
lady. II have gathered more thorns
Uan flowers
Mrs. Massey was a stately gentle
woman. one Of the old school, kind and
charitable, yet dignitied and reserved,
md -, tr,, bol;nvnr -, nt,uvto If che
had a fault, her son declared it was in
being too frigidly correct and proper.
She was dressed as Lord Bayneham re-
membered always to have seen her, in
the %stiffest of brocades and the most
costly of lace caps She made many in
quiries about Lady Bayneham and Miss
Earle, yet her visitor thought there was
something unusual in her amer. She
talked more than he had ever heard her,
and seemed afraid of a moments silence.
1t was a relief when the child came in
and ran straight up TO Lord Bayneham.
All, what was it? Why did his eyes
fill with tears as the tender arms chung
to him: Why did the sweet childish
voice seem to reach the depths of his
heart. and stir fountains that had long
been scaled and dry!
MY son tells me you have taken q
wonderful fancy to this little boy" said
Mrs. Massey. HE is n noble little fell
low. and we are all fond of him."
II have never loved a child before"
said Lord Bayneham. and his lips trem-
bled as he spoke; land. in my solitary life
! do not think l shall ever care 50 much
for one again.
Would You like to live with this gen.
tlcman. Lioneli" asked Mrs. Massey.
Yes" said the child. but l cannot, be-
cause l cannot leave mamma"
y am to be introduced in proper form
today" said Lord Bayneham; what IS
my little friend name? l shall ask per
mission to take him down to Bayneham
with me-
Captain Massey smiled a strange smile
that the Earl could not understand.
Would you like to see Lionel's nam.
ma and ask her permission?' said Mrs.
Massey.
Yes replied Lord Bayneham; "if it
would not be an intrusion"
Il can answer that it would not" said
the lady. Her face was strangely pale,
and Lord Bayneham wondered at the
emotion he read there.
'She is in the boudoir here said Mrs.
Massey; go and make your request, my
lord"
"Wil you introduce me:-the lady is n
stranger: | shall need an introduction"
said Lord Bayneham.
go alone said Captain Massey: and
even as he spoke Lord Bayneham noticed
the change In his voict-the nervous. agi-
tated expression Of his face. Go alone"
continued the Captain; Lionel will in
troduce YOU
A strange tremor seized Lord Bayue-
ham; a strange. vague hope cane To him
as he looked in those pale. agitated faces.
He tried to speak and ask another ques-
ton. but his lips seemed numb and
dumb.
Lionel" said Captain Massey. go
with the gentleman. and take him 10
oCr mamma
The child gently laid his little hand on
Lord Bayneham's and led him through
the long d-rawiug-rooln. 4 door AZ the
other end Of the apartment led 10 the
touduir. He turned The handle and open
&C. Il, slowly moving. as one whose
soL>es are wrapped in IL dream. He saw
Il SNAIL. pretty room. where fragrant
flowers were blooming. and golden sun
teams came IN through clouds Of white
ace. He saW-WaS this 4 dream "a
golden head raised as he entered, n beau
val face. sweet aud pure and tender: lie
saw violet eyes full Of tears. quivering
HIS that tried in vain 10 utter his name;
lie suw two LITTLE white hands clasped as
lie lad seen them claSped years ago. and
a thick mist swan before him, a noise
as of rushing waters filled his ears. A
little voice aroused him; the child ran
from him to the lady.
This is MAMMA" he said, proudly
to Lord Bayneham.
IL was no dream-it was his own wife
to him. her tender arms clasped