The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-05-16

you must wear them on your wcddin;
day"
Barbara smiled, and had Lady Bayne-
ham watched her attentiyely she would
have seen the firm lips culver as they
smiled. Claude rose hastily: his face
flushed deeply. The countess. serenely
unconscious, continued her remarks.
Il should like 10 have your portrait.
Barbara. Mr.. Seaton is one of the first of
living artists; we will speak TO him about
it to-day. We shall be side by side then
in the great gallery"
Barbara made no reply. She was think
ing of the fair young face that would be
next TO that of the stately lady before
her. while she. Barbara Earle, would
never be portrayed as one of that race.
Claude walked uneasily up and down the
room, longing to make an end of the pain
full scene. but not knowing low. At last,
to his intense delight. Lady Bayneham
rose md quilted the room. still s%erenely
unconscious of all wrong.
This is intolerable," he cried; Bar
bara. | cannot forgive myself for allow
ing you TO go through such q scene. My
mother must be told at once"
Barbara raised her clear. dark eyes TO
his face, and though the warm tears
shone brightly in them. she smiled and
said bravely: 1T cannot be helped; do
not be vexed. Claude. l was wondering
if diamonds looked well with golden hair.
And that reminds me that time is pre-
cious. Take n cousins advice. and see
Miss Hutton to-day. We may still call at
Storr X Mortimer's. you know.
m : ~ ~ ,Antl,- ~
think more of you than YOU do of your
self. | cannot bear TO think of love or
happiness while you are He stopped
abruptly. not knowing quite what to say.
While l am unhappy. you mean. | sup
pose" said Barbara. half haughtily. yet
with Il smile of amusement. How can
did You are. Claude. Never fear for me.
The past is all dead; its ghost will never
haunt me. With all my heart | intend IN
help YOU; and when yon marry Miss Hut
ton | shall stand by her side. for two red
sons. One is. that the sight of your hap
pines will more than repay me for Il
pain ! may suffer: and the second is, that
no one shall say Barbara Earle fled like Il
love-sick girl. No one shall ever know the
truth of this affair bur vow ana |. Claude"
Inv lIutu Is, SilI III ''uSlh' I "
smile. that you have dismissed me. Your
reasons for So doing concern no n but
yourself
Il will speak TO my aunt. said Bar
bara: she will take il better from me-
than from YOU. And now. Claude. -. |
can see Impotence in every line of your
face. venture 10 predict. if you call you
will ind Miss Hutton al home"
For once Barbara vas wrong. When
Lord Bayneham reached Lady Hutton's.
he found both ladies absent. and was
obliged To wait until two o'clock. when
intended 70 be az Mr.. Seaton's. Nor
was Barbara more fortunate. She made
efforts TO obtain an interview with
the countess. bur Oh that particular morn
ing her ladyship was unusually engaged.
and when they left home Lady B%ayneham
was still in happy ignorance. Barbara
her aunt too we'll TO attempt any
communication of that kind in an open
carriage. She knew what the storm of
anger would be.
Il should be better satisfied" said MIR.
Seaton. as the group of ladies stood round
his easel. IF Miss Hutton had the same
bloom upon her face that she had when !
first saw her She looks pale-something
like a dropping flower Late hours and
much dancing do not improve our fair and
fashionable ladies'
Lady Hutton looked anXiously at her
ward; hen for the first time she noted
how changed was the fair young face.
There could be no mistake about it. Hilda
might laugh and sing. but that look could
only come from Sorrow-sorrow, too, that
had taken deep root. What could it be?
Surely the child could not have fallen in
love-she. SO innocent, 50 fresh and pure,
so untouched by the world, so utterly I'M
conscious of all passion. Yet nothing but
love could nave stolen the bloom from
that lovely face, and yet have left greater
beauty in its place. When Mr.. Seaton
spoke a deep flush covered Hilda'S face.
and her eyes fell.
While the ladies examined a wondrous-
ly executed sketch of a contemplated pie
ture, Claude drew near to Hilda. Before
he spoke to her he noted the lush that
rose to her fair young face
"Hilda," he said. gently. may | call
and see you now?' Then he lowered his
voice, and in a passionate whisper added.
say yes. my darling, for l am not to
marry Barbara Earle"
With a heart beating high with tri-
umph he noted the sudden and beautiful
flush that lighted the young tender face,
the light thar shone in the clear. pure
eyes, the trembling lip that could find no
answer for him. He could say no more.
Hilda understood all those few words I'M
piled.
May | call this evening"" he asked.
gently; but the red ripe lips never
moved in reply. Mr.. Seaton gazed at the
changed face in wonder. The half sad
look, the pallor, and the dim eyes. had
disappeared as if by magic. 1t was n
beautiful, radiant girl upon whom he gaz.
ed. whose features glowed with happiness.
The artist knew something of the world
and It's ways, and he gave il shrewd. quick
L. mo- -, al