The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-09-05

Bayncham.
NO" replied the Captain. a dark flush
covering his honest face. Il am not mar
ried."
Il never saw a more lovely child" con
tiaued the Earl Il cannot part with him
Just yet
The Captain looked anxious and I'M
easy.
'Who is he:" asked Lord Bayneham.
81 must make friends with his parents
for the little boys sake. | am charmed
with him."
Captain Massey made no reply: there
WAS Il constrained. miserable silence.
Massey" said Lord Bayneham. at
length. Il cannot understand you. We
parted three years ago the best of friends
how You will not touch my hand. You
look shyly at me; you barely answer my
Questions. What has changed youth
what have I offended YOU"
The honest. fearless eyes that met his
own had Il deep shadow in them.
There is no need for any cNplana-
TONS" he replied. shortly.
But there is need" said Lord Bayne-
ham. Il liked you. Massey. and have
been proud TO call you my frined. What
u 4 'ii' mat sph ~ III III
longer"
Does not our own conscience tell
YOU asked Captain Massey. gravely.
My Conscience" said Lord Bayne-
ham in utter wonder: mo. certainly not;
| am at a loss how to understand you.
| am very u~nhappy-no man living is so
unhappy as but on my conscience
there rests no stain"
II have no tight to speak," said Cap
tain Massey. turning away: come Lilo
mel. it is time we returned home"
But the child chung with both arms
round Lord B%avneham.
Il like this gentleman he said: Il
will not leave him"
Captain MasScy's face grew strangely
pale. The Earl saw his lips move. and
he looked on in mute surprise.
"What is it. my old friend?' said Lord
Bayneham. What specter have you
raised that stands between You and me?"
Then Captain Massey turned, and
looked straight into the changed. worn
face.
Il would not shake hands with YOU
he said. Il Ito not wish to speak to YOU;
but if YOU will have it. YOU must. An
swer me. Lord Beyncham. What have
You lone with your wife,"
Lord Bayneham started. and looked at
his friend with wondering eyes. The ques-
ton pierced him with sharp pain.
My wife. he repeated with white.
quivering lips. Il would give my life
this moment to know where she is. |
would gladly die if | might look ON her
face once more
But" said Captain Massey, surprised
in his turn. YOU Sent her from you"
"N"vcr,,' interrupted Lord Bayneham.
"Only heaven knows what her flight has
cost me. Who told you So cruel q story.
Massey: and how could YOU believe it
of me-
"Nevcr mind VIII" told me-" said the
Captain. IF it is not true. ! never saw
a WOMAN SO fair. So true. or So pure as
wife. You should have overlooked
what she could not h%elp-her parcntaEe."
Il knew nothing of il when she left
me-" said Lord Rayneham. sadly. II
should have overlooked that. and much
mere. for love of my wife"
you knew nothing of it, said the
Captain. still more surprised. Then why
did YOU send her away"
Il did not" replied the Earl; her fight
was n mystery to me until | stood by her
fathers death-bed. | understood it
then"
Captain Massey looked. as he felt. be-
wildered.
Il do not know what you have heard
continued Lord Bayneham. but YOU are
my friend. Years z Massey. you loved
my wife. | pardon your words: will you
listen To me while | tell ~you-what few
knoW-the story of my darling's loss:'
With the little golden head pillowed on
his heart, Lord Bayncham told his story.
Il have spent a fortune" he said, lin
advertisements. | believe all England
has been searched, but III vain. Whether
She is living or dead. ] know not. |
know one thing-livinc or dead. | shall
be true to her: no one shall ever take her
place. | would freely. ioyfully give all
| have in the world to see her once more.
1t was all a mistake. Massey; Il terrible
mistake. | was jealous and inpatient,
and most bitterly have | suffered for il.
Do YOU not see that | nm old before my
tine-worn out with sorrow and sus-
pense: God keep all from suffering as |
done
tain. musingly.
more strange than true" said
Lord B~ayneham. All. Massey. | must
rcproach You, What have Won ever seen
in me- thar could lead You Ia believe me
capable of sending my wife from me.
because her father WIS not all he should
have been: ! should but have loved her
the more for il. | knew nothing of and
cared nothing for her family. when |
married her. How could you think that,
in the hour of her trouble. | should drive
her from mel. who have never ceased
praying. with weeping eyes. that ! might
see her again"
The two friends then sat and talked.
Unconscious of the swift passing time.
Lord B%ayneham thought his friend
strangely reserved. even after his ex-
PLANTATION. True. Captain Massey grasp |
ed his hand and begged his pardon for