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

tempt.
When the drawing room doors were
opened there was no one TO be seen; but
CIaude's quick eye discerned the floating
Of u white dress in the dim light of the
conservatory. and instinct told him 10
seek his love there. He walked so quiet
ly, that she did not hear him: and he
stood for a moment. lost. as an artist
might have been. in delighted admiration
at SO fair n picture. The golden head and
fair young face shone brightly in the dim
mellow light. There was a dreamy smile
! on the sweet lips. rs though pleasant
| dreams were with her. She was bending
| over some choice white lilies. and they
were not so fair and pure as she, thought
Claude. She did not look surprised when
he uttered her name. and the smile deep
ened. as though the pleasant dream had
come true.
Mamma is engaged she said in re
ply TO Lord Bayneham's few words. The
agent is here from Brynmar. See. Lord
Bayncham, he brought me these lilies
himself all the way
1T was very kind of him" said Claude;
Il I'M not sorry Lady Hutton is engaged.
for came purposely to see YOU
In some vague. distinct way. Hilda
knew what was coming. Her simple. low
ing heart tluttered and beat so quickly
that she could hardly breathe.
"Hilda." whispered the low voice At her
side. do forget those lilies for one mo-
ment, and look at me-. Can you guess
what | have TO say"
The shy. sweet eyes did not meet his
own; the little hands still trembled amidst
the white blossoms.
Il am jealous of those flowers" said
Claude. impatiently, as he removed them.
II want all your attention for once. and
for q few minutes; Hilda. do you remem-
Der that May morning in Brynmar wood"'
II remember it WE'LL" replied n faint,
h~alf-frightened voice.
"Do you know" said Claude, eagerly,
II loved you then: 1t was the f~airest,
sweetest picture my eyes ever fell upon,
as you stood in the woods. with the blue
bells in your hand. | could hardly tear
myself away. | longed there and then to
kneel at your feet and offer you. as | do
now, my life with my love. l have never
thought Of anything or any one since |
saw you. Until | found you again my life
was one long dream Of misery, Hilda.
There never was q love SO strong. SO
deep, so true ms mine. Is there any hope
for me!'
There were a few minutes of unbroken
silence, then n gentle, half-sad voice re-
Piled:
"How could you care for me when you
were pledged TO marry Miss Earle"
He told her the whole story, how from
l-4l A.. IL
stand that at some future time they were
to be married-how he always liked Bar
bara in a calm, kind. brotherly way. and
when his mother suggested the time for
the marriage had arrived. he had mo OBJ
lection"
Il had not seen YOU then. Hilda," he
continued. when | did SO. my heart
awoke suddenly. | was like Il man who
had been buried in a deep sleep. l awoke
TO find myself passionately loving YOU.
yet pledged to marry Barbara Earle.
was half mad for some time. but ! had no
idea of freeing myself. | thought | must
bear my fate. and trample you out of my
heart, But, IIilda, Barbara has dismiss
ed me; she says our engagement was a
foolish mistake, for which | shall not
NtNi i|Ait tNtl " llltIIlIOn IL
again. and l am free-free to lay nv
heart at the feet of the only one | ever
can love. Have You no word for me.
Hilda:'
rs she-is Barbara unhappy :" she ask
ed, gently.
ID not let hat shadow stand between
u.s." cried Lord Bayneham. ''Hilda. if |
was to pray as man has never prayed be-
fore, Miss Earle would not deign to listen
to me. If she We're here. she would plead
for me. Oh. Hilda. can it be that | am
mistaken-that you do not care for me-
She turned her face TO him. and he read
his answer there.
Your life shall be just as bright as the
life of one of these flowers said Claude;
mo shadow. nc storm shall come near YOU.
l shall have but one care. and that will
be your happiness; and in return for all
my devotion. will you give me Il little
love, Hilda:'
"A little" she said. wondering if he
knew how much that meant.
You will be happy at ~Bayneham." he
continued. MY mother is sure TO love
you very dearly. llilda-she loves me SO
much. | have won my treasure now. and
| am impatient to call it mine. When
shall ] see Lady Hutton! Before the
spring blossoms come again, promise To be
my wife. darling:'
But that Iiilda would not do. In her
gentle, child-like heart there Was a gra-
cious dignity-all her own. He had won
enough; she would promise no more. He
loved her but the more for the pretty coy
words that fell so softly from her lips.
Il shall come to see Lady Hutton To-
morrow" he said. half inquirinGly.
Not tomorrow" she replied. mamma
will be busy with the agent. Let me
have that one day to realize my happiness
and to dream
1T shall be So" replied Claude.
In after years liilda wondered what
hnr fnte womb Lnyn LDDu Il IL LnA .uon.