The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-06-18
UAPTE NJ.

Lady lfeNiefEaS1 Sis Crect IN ltr -aF-
orite niGh-hac kcd chair in the state draw
ing room. Camilla stands a few feet otf.
and Cyril Acton is taking leave, NAT III
hand. after an afternoon call. What had
passed between these three Is apparently
al n momentous and exciting nature, Tor
the two young people seemed flushed and
anxious. while Lady Prendergast has Il
deeper line than usual between her br0Ws,
and steadies Aer voice with difficulty as
she says:
NO. Mr.. Acton. l am not ~angry-not
angry with You at least. | am sorry thar
YOU should have taken SO much trouble
in vain"
Il am ve.y sorry to have failed, Of
course"
Here he glanced at Camilla. from whose
eyes there shot flames of fire as they met
Actions without a CLEAN of shame or con-
fusion. They seemed TO say
Heed her not. she shall never subdue
me-"
Il do not wish YOU" pursued The Old
lady. TO leave this house with any .inser-
ing misapprehensions on your mind. Have
made myself quite clear
II think So
My conclusions are two. not hard 70
remember. if you separate them from ali
the discussions we have had 10 20 into.
First. then. your request is refused once
and for all. Secondly. in consequence Of
that refusal. as also on account Of the
new circumstances in which my grand
child now finds herself. l must beg. nay. |
insist. that you meet her no more:
Yes. Lady Prendergast. there is no
I1non- nf NV forpotrirC airbor ~ -l,nSn
points"
This Mr.. Acton said with unconcealed
bitterness.
AS for Camilla. | have expressly for
hidden her to see you or communicate
with you again. and she is bound by
every law. human and divine. to show ne
obedience. For yourself, | know you well
enough to feel sure that YOU will make il
a point OF honor not to tempt this mis-
guided girl 20 disobey me. Personally. l
need hardly tell You that l am very. very
sorry that for a long time az least we
shall meet nc more"
Lady Irenderga>t here extended her
hand. which he took. and they exchanged
a mutual ''Gool-by
"Grandma. | don't think this bell rings.
! will try the n in the hall" and de-
spite a stern Camilla" from her rela-
tive, which she affected not TO hear, she
and Cyril Acton disappeared from the
room together.
Il dare not walk around with YOU" sac
said. in a hurried whisper. oh. how
shall ever thank you:"
LILA. when You know l am more than
repaid by"
"Oh. bless you she went on. wring:ag
his hand. her head half turned back lest
they should be watched. oh,
/ am ashamed 10 ask the question. but
you will be there
Il swear it," he said. pressing to his
lips the little white hand which still held
his.
And he was gone, while Camilla flew
back 10 her grandmother.
Camilla" began the old lady. Il feel
convinced that in spite of the awful sin
which it involves. you have asked Acton
TO meet you again.
"N-no.'
Camilla" she said, in a very low and
solemn voice, Il have ever found you
truth itself. Still. | fear-I know that
you are keeping something back from me-.
Child" she went on, and her voice lost
its %sternness and became on a sudden So
piteous that even Camilla. who loved her
not. and who had especially hardened her
neart against her on this occasion, seem
Cd scnsibly moved by it. Child, You
know | am miserable; a word from You
can set me at rest. What was Your OBJ
ject in leaving the room just now: Oh.
] am no longer commanding entreat."
Camilla may have felt this now, for a
slight thrill of emotion ran through her.
and she had a certain pity for Lady Prem
rdergast. But she never moved from
where she was.
Why" she asked herself, IF l am all
in all to her, would she not listen to Cy-
ril's prayer? U~nbounded love means un-
bounded sacrifice. l will not be deceived
by her. She may not know she is speak
ing falsely, but | know it. She would
rather see me dead az her feet, with all
her boasted love for me. than bend where
/ want her to bend. That is loving her
self first. not me, as she pretends.' Then
aloud: "Grandma, ask me nothing more
to-day. | nave spoken the truth 70 you.
I will answer or tell you nothing more.
either because there is nothing more 10
tell or because | cannot tell it. Why pain
me by making me repeat this thing again
and again.
All said her ladyship. between two
moods, lin one thing, at least, you are
my very own child. When you do say,
y won't there's an end of it,"
1t is easier to surround a fortress than
TO get inside. and poor Lady Prender-
CAST thought of this as h sat there to-
day encircling the fair young being with
her aged arms. whose heart she knew only
100 well that she could not enter.
And now. gran'ma, dear" said the
girl. II feel tired and worn out by all this
this piece of work we have had. l want
TO be alone. l think / could sleep, for /