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

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shopping to do. so the carriage was order
cd. and Barbara invited to join her; but
Miss Earle said she had another engage
mont. and the countess drove away alone.
Barbara waited in the drawing room
until her cousin came in. He looked care
worn and tired, as though no sleep had
visited him.
Il shall soon take that look from his
face thought Barbara, though | tram
pie upon my heart in doing So"
Claude" she said. gently. IF you have
nothing better to do will you spend half
an hour in the library with me?"
Poor Barbara. she saw a shadow cross
his face. but he spoke kindly.
They went into the library. There was
silence for some minutes: then Miss
Earle, turning to Lord Bayneham, said;
Il want TO talk to you, Claude. thst is
why asked YOU to come here"
He waited wonderingly, for he saw her
face was full of deep emotion.
Answer me truly" she said. what do
You love best in the world?-speak truly"
Il always do" said Lord Bayneham.
proudly: but you startle me. Barbara"
IF you were 10 ask me whom l love
best in the world" continued Miss Earle.
Il should say my betrothed husband.
Claude Bayneham. 1t is because | love
You SO well that | have asked YOU 10
ON here"
Lord B%ayneham did not know what re-
ply 10 make. He was prepared TO marry
his cousin. 10 be true and kind. but he
had nothing II say about love. The vision
Of a sweet young face. framed in bright
golden hair. came between him and the
noble woman by his side.
"Claude.' continued Barbara, laying
her hand gently upon his arm. Il will tell
YOU whom you love best in the world. 1t
is thar fair young girl you met in Bryn-
mar woods. Hilda Hutton. You love her
as you never have-never can love an
other"
Il should never have said So" replied
Lord Bayneham sorrowfully.
Il know IT," said Barbara: you would
have married mo and tried 10 forget her.
/ prefer making the sacrifice myself.
Claude. 1t would be useless" she con
tinucd, for me 10 affect that | do not
love You. AS long as | can remember.
you have been all the world 10 me. The
strength and depth Of my love will be
best proved by what | am going TO do.
Your welfare and happiness are dearer
10 me than my own: therefore. | release
you from your promiSe-trOm all the ties
thar bind you TO me: | give you your free
dom. You are ar full liberty 10 love and
marry whom you will: and ! DO this be.
cause ] love you and wish to see you
happy
But. Barbara demonstrated Lord
Bayneham. Il would have never asked
for this-l cannon consent"
Even as he spoke Barbara saw a half
tiutter of joy in his face. and her own
grew paler.
Il know that" she said. but DO you
think. Claude. l could marry you. know
Ing full we'll that you love another? 1t
would be impossible" she continued. for
he made no reply; If you were to kneel
and ask M TO be your wife l would not.
| do not blame you for loving her: she IS a
thousand times more fair than |: but.
loving her, could you be 50 unjust as 10
offer 70 marry me-
Il wish | were dead" cried Lord Bayne-
ham; II wish | had died rather than
have brought ~unhappiness to you. Bar
bara. do love % but in a different
way"
II shall be very unhappy for a little
time said Miss Earle sorrowfully. but
then | am a brave woman, and brave
women have TO live down sorrow. All
my happiness will come from seeing
yours.
You are a noble woman, Barbara"
said Lord Bayneham. You are as noble
as you are true"
He held both her hands in his, and, for
the last time. his lips touched her brow.
and Barbara grew deadly pale as he did
so.
60 now she said gently, "and leave
me TO speak to Lady Bayneham."
Claude turned away; he could not have
spoken another word. She watched him
with eyes that grew dim with tears. How
quietly he had taken his dismissal. He
had nothing TO say.
With joy and sorrow strangely mingled
in his heart. Lord Bayneham did not then
know the value of what he on that morn
ing lost.