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

S14A III
1--WE will 60 at once to Storr x Morti-
her's,' said the countess to her niece;
''it will take some time to choose the set
tings."
Aunt" said Barbara, do not go there.
/ might say l was too tired, or give other
excuses-all would be equally false. Do
not 90 there to-day, and promise not to
ask me the reason until W. reach home
What can you mean. Barbara asked
her aunt, haughtily. Have you some
plan, some design of your W for the
diamonds? You should have mentioned
it before, my dear"
81 nave no plan of my own" she re
piled, YEARLY. II will explain when we
reach home"
Although Lady B%ayneham longed for
an explanation, she was too well-bred TO
repeat her question. Barbara's face had
grown strangely pale, and the countess
gazed at her with surprise. They We're
not long in reaching Grosvenor Square.
Come with me to my room. Barbara
said her aunt. LET me hear what this
mystery means"
Miss Earle followed Lady Bayneham
quietly enough to her room. She closed
IN uOOI Will ucI wv udllUS, dIlu SlooU
before it.
Sew words are always best. aunt. y
she said, with a feeble attempt at smiling.
II did not go to moose n setting for the
Bayneham diamonds because l am not
going to marry Claude"
mot marry Claude!" gasped the coun-
tess. Have you lost your senses, Bar
,bara?"
mol have merely found Them" said
the young girl, sadly. DO not be angry,
aunt. If Claude knelt here asking me
for a year and a day, l should still re-
fuse"
MAY 1 ask" said Lady Bayneham,
%haughtily. why Miss Earle declines an
alliance with my SOM
"No, aunt" replied Barbara, proudly;
that is the one question you may not ask.
j decline to answer it,"
Have you seen some one you like bet
teri" interrupted Lady Bayneham. yet
] need not ask. You are not n weak,
vain girl, who thinks lite of her plighted
word"
Then Lady Bayneham's voice softened,
and she threw one arm caressingly round
her niece.
DO you fear Claude does not love your"
she asked. Believe me, Barbara"
Aunt" interrupted her niece, do not
seek to know my motives; our engage
ment was a great mistake. Let us be
thankful for having discovered it in time.
Believe me, dear aunt" she continued.
earnestly, IF ! married your son now
we should both be wretched for life"
But, Barbara" cried Lady Bayneham.
"why did you not discover this before?"
II am perhaps to blame for that" she
replied, gently, q sharp culver of pain
passing her face. Il have found it out
now"
What will the world say cried the
countess. Every arrangement made,
even to the ordering of your Jewels"
"They may even yet be worn" said
Barbara, with n smile.
Barbara" said Lady Bayneham, "are
you jealous"
NO" was the reply. TRY to believe
me, deer aunt. ] am thoroughly in ear
nest. Our engagement was a terrible
mistate. ! have found it out, and refuse
to fulhii it. Your son is free. l have told
Lin so. and nothing can change or alter
my decision; it is made for life. My great
est grief IS the sorrow | know it will cause
you
For once, Lady Bayneham had nothing
to say; she was too angry for speech, too
bewildered for remonstrance, too much
annoyed to care for further conversation
"You can leave me now, Barbara" said
the countess, haughtily. Il can have no
respect for any one who deliberately
breaks q promise and draws down ridi-
cule upon those who love her best. Have
YOU considered in what a cruel position
your conduct places Claude:'
"He will be strong enough 10 bear it."
replied Barbara, dryly. Il have not re-
marked any change in his looks or his
spirits; have you aunt
Considering that Lady Bayneham had
said that morning, in Barbara's presence.
that her son had never looked better. she
could make no reply.
Let us be friends, aunt" said Bar
bara. gently, and there was q wistful
tone in her voice. Let us be friends.
dear aunt. l have no one in the world but
YOU"
Lady Bayneham was. however, too an
CRY for any reply. Il can but hope and
pray, Miss Earle. that you will soon return
to your senses" she said. will you be
kind enough TO cave me now; the dress
ing bell has rung. ] presume you did not
hear it,"
That was all the consolation Barbara
Earle received in the greatest trouble Of
her life.
CHAPTER MI.
That evening fate was kind to IIilda