The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-11-29

C.OStu tue ielter, anu lHeu StOle Siducc
at his face. 1t had turned pale to seri-
BUSINESS.
II do not quite understand" he said
mo? 1t means that you are appointed
70 Great Wilton"
"How can ever sufficiently thank
Lord Avon?' he breathed forth.
"Now, is not the knowing that worth
something?' laughed she.
''Oh. Lady Grace! 1t Is worth far
more than anything have to give In re-
turn. Butt is not a jest, Is Il? Can
/. be really true?"
"A jest Is that likely? You will be
publicly appointed in day or two, and
will, of course, hear from my brother.
am not acquainted, myself, with the for
nal routine of these things. Mamma is
rejoicing; she would rather have you here
tlan any one"
Lady Avon is too kind" he murmured,
abstractedly.
And what do you think mamma said?
Shall / tell you? Mr.. Baumgarten can
marry now Those were her words
Grace spoke with sweet saucincss, Sc
cure in the fact that he could not divine
her feeling for him-although she believ-
ed in his love for her. His answer sur
prised her.
Yes, / can marry now," he assented,
still half lost in his own thoughts. Il
shall do so--soon. l have only waited
until some p-eferment should justify it."
You are bold man, Mr.. Baumgarten,
to make so sure of the lady's consent.
Have you asked herr"
No; where was the use, until / could
speak to some purpose? But she has de-
tected my wishes, l am sure of that; and
there is no coquetry in Edith
"Edith?' almost shrieked Lady Grace
Il beg your pardon; shall not fall"
What have you done? You have hurt
yourself!'
They had been walking close to the min
iature rocks, and she had seemed to STUN
BILE over projecting corner. II gave my
ankle twist. The pain was sharp" she
moaned.
Pray lean on me, Lady Grace; pray
let me support you; you are as white as
DEATH"
He wound his arms gently round her,
and laid her pallid face upon his shoul-
der; he thought she was going to faint.
For o2e single moment she yielded to the
fascination of the beloved resting place.
Oh! that it could be hers forever! She
shivered, raised her head, and drew away
from him.
Thank you," she said, family; "the
anguish has passed. / must go indoors
now."
Mr.. Baumgarten held out his arm, but
she did not take it, walking alone with
rapid steps toward the house. At the en-
trance Of the glass door she turned to him.
Il will wish you good evening now."
He held out his hand, but she did not
appear to see it. She ran in, and he
turned away to depart, thinking she must
be in great pain.
Lady Grace shut herself in the drawing
room. For a few moments she rushed
about like one possessed, in her torrent
of anger. Then she sat down to her writ
ing desk and dashed off a blotted and
hasty note to Lord Avon-which would
just save the post.
"Give the living to any one you please,
Harry, but not to Ryle Baumgarten be-
stow it where you will, but not to him.
There are reasons why he would be ut
terly unfit for it. Explanations when we
meet"
During this, Mr.. Baumgarten was hast
ening home, the great news surging in
his brain. Edith was at the gate, but not
looking for him, of course merely n-
joying the air of the summers night.
That's what she said she was doing when
he came up. He caught her by the waist
oxxI hn- h1& L.
gan to kiss her. She cried out, and gazed
at him in wonder.
Edith, do you think am mad? be-
lieve l am-mad with joy, for the time
has come that may ask you to be my
wife ~
"Your wife," she stammered, for in
truth that prospect had seemed farther
off than heaven.
He drew her to him again in the plenti-
tude of his emotion. Her heart beat wild
ly against his, and he laid her face upon
his breast, more fondly than he had laid
another's not long before.
You know how / have loved you; you
must have seen it, though / would not
speak; but / could not marry while my
income was so small. 1t would not have
been right, Edith"
IF you think so--no."
"But, oh, my dearest, I may speak
now. Will you be my wife?"
"But--what has happened?' she asked.
"!Ah, what! Promotion has come to
me, my dear one. am presented to the
living of Great Whitton."
.0f Great Whitton. RyleT'
1T is quite sure. Lord Avon's mother
asked him to give it to me, it seems, and
he generously complied. Edith. will you
reject me, now l have Great Whitton?"
She hid her face. She felt him lovingly
stroking her hair. IL would not have
rejected you when you had but Little
Whitton, Ryle."
yours is not the first fair face which
has been there this night, Edith he said
in laughing whisper. II had Lady
Grace's there but an hour ago."