The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-04-18
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cgSG~~c Encouragement
to such IL home as yours? Would it not
be cruel and unjust? Be brave for her
sake. Magdalen. You have yourself de-
cided where your duty lies
Il know said the poor mother, plain
lively; zone way or another, my heart
must break"
You fancy So said Lady Hutton:
one can bear much. yet live on. Ililda
will be happy and we'll cared for; if she
lives she will grow up Il beautiful, accom-
plished lady; she will marry well, and live
honored and esteemed. Yet you would
have her exchange all this for poverty
and shame
but. my lady" said the woman, che
may alter. he may repent. and then
Hush" said Lady Hutton; Il believe
il is easier to change the leopard's spots
than to reform a really bad man. See. |
have brought the money. Magdalen; now.
tell me. is there anything more ! can 10
for YOU? Do not ask me 70 alter my con-
ditions. | cannot do so. If take Hilda
now. it is for life; and / exact from You
Il solemn promise that you will never seek
her again, never ask for her. but remem
Der always. that for your own good you
have parted with her until you meet i'll
another world"
Magdalen Hurst claspcd the little child
still more tightly in her arms. Her lips
fingered lovingly on the fair little face,
the golden curls, and the sweet lips.
My darling will be a lady she said.
"a grand lady; she will have dresses and
rare jewels; she will be rich and honored;
but my heart will be empty, and she will
have no mother; she will never know ne,
never love me-"
Lady Hutton took from her purse gold
and bank notes, and laid them upon the
table.
The sum we agreed upon is there.
Magdalcn," said Lady Hutton. st is
growing late; You had better say good-by
10 IIilda; we must leave YOU now write
To mo when YOU reach your journeys
end. | can only hope your future may he
happier than yOur past has BEEN
a low moan came from the white lips
still touching the child's face. Then Mag
dalcn Hurst rose and took from her fin
ger a thick plain gold ring.
Lady Hutton" She said. gently, may
/ give this to IIilda: viii you let her
wear it,"
With her own hands Lady Hutton fas-
tened the ring to Il little chain the child
wore.
Il promise you" she said, "Hilda shall
always wear it. I will put it on her finger
when she is old enough"
1t was a plain ring, made in a peculiar
way; the single word Fidelity" was eu-
graved upon it.
"Good-by, Magdalcn.'' said Lady Hut
ton. II trust YOU will have a prosperous
voyage. Never let Il fear of IIilda's wei
fare cross your mind; she will be to me
as my own child. Bid her farewell. See.
the sun is setting: we must GO"
She turned aside while the unhappy
mother held her child in that last close
embrace. In that minute Magdalen
Hurst died as loving, suffering women
die. Death, when it came. held no paug
half so bitter as that which rent her heart
now. She covered the little wondering
face with passionate kisses; she pillowcd
the golden head III her breast and bent in
untold agony over if.
"Hilda,' she whispered, my own little
child, | shall never see you again. Saw
~'good-by,' and God bless YOU. mother"
The child repeated the words, then
clasped her arms round her mothers
"NNh' b't iiC Stds WIN you, size cTlpl,
Il love YOU best"
In one moment it seemed as though The
mothers soul must leave her. Then she
clasped the child, %murmuring words that
Lady Hutton never forgot. To the last
her mournful eyes followed the little fig
ure. drinking in, as it were, every move
ment, every action. The child passed for
ever from its mothers home. She gazed
alton q; ,-o,lNl IL -
on the sweet face and golden hair.
watched the stately lady take the little
one in her arms and dry her tears,
watched the child as it smiled. and then
knew herself forgotten. With a cry that
rang out in the clear summer air, start
ling and shrill, Magdalcn Hurst fell to
the ground. and the sunbeams played up-
on her white, unconscious face; While the
child from whom she had parted slept
softly and sweetly in Lady Hutton's
arms.