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

avon House Ieeuing Ine name OF ner lii-
starred passion. Hs manner to women
wrs naturally tender, and to Grace, with
her fascinations unconsciously brought to
bear upon him, dangerously warm. That
he never for one moment had outstepped
the bounds of friendly intercourse Grace
attributed entirely to the self-restraint
imposed by his inferior position; but she
did not doubt he loved her in secret.
While at dinner he told them, jokingly,
M he had told Edith, that the parish
wanted him to marry. Lady Avon re-
marked, In answer, that he could not do
better: parsons and doctors should al
ways be married men.
Yes, that's very right very true,'s he
returned in the same jesting tone but
suppose they have nothing TO marry
upon?"
But you have something, Mr.. Baum
garten.''
"Yes, have two hundred year; and
no residence"
The rectory is rather bad, believe"
Bad! Well, Lady Avon, you should
see it,"
Mr.. Dane ought not to have allowed
u to get into that state," she remarked,
and the subject dropped.
After dinner Mr.. Baumgarten stood on
the lawn with Grace, watching the glories
OF the setting sun. Lady Avon, indoors,
was beginning to doze; they knew better
than to disturb her; this after-dinner
sleep, which sometimes did not last more
than ten minutes. was of great moment to
her, the doctor said.
Mr.. Baumgarten had held cut his arm
10 Lady Grace in courtesy as they be-
gan to pace the paths. and she took it.
They came to halt near the entrance
gate, both gazing at the beautiful sky.
their hands partially shading their eyes
from the blaze of sunset, when a little
man dressed in black with white neck
tie was seen approaching.
why, here comes Moores, exclaimed
Grace.
He was the clerk at the Great Whitton
church. Limping up to the gate, for he
was lame with rheumatism. he stood
there and looked at Mr.. Baumgarten. as
sf his business lay with him. But Grace
Withdrawing her arm from her compan-
ION, was first at the gate.
beg pardon, my lady. / thought it
right to come up and inform the countess
of the sad news-and I'm glad did, see
ing you here, sir. Mr.. Chester is gone,
my lady,"
Gone" exclaimed Grace. "Gone
where?
He Is dead. my lady--he is dead. sir.
Departed to that bourne whence no trav-
cler returns" continued the clerk, wish
ing to be religiously impressive and be-
heving he was quoting from Scripture.
Surely 1t cannot be y said Mr.. Baum
xarten.
"Ay, but 1t is, sir, more's the pity.
And frightfully sudden. After getting
home from afternoon service, he said he
felt uncommonly tired, he couldn't think
why, and that he'd not have his tea till
later in the evening. He went up to his
room and sat down in the easy chair there
and dropped asleep. A sweet, TRANQUIL
sIeep It was, to all appearance, and Mrs.
Chester shut the door and left him. But
after an hour or two, when she sent nm
to say he had better wake up for his
tea, they found him dead. The poor old
lady is quite beside herself with the sud-
denness, and the maids be running about
al skies and sevens."
Il will go down with you at once.
Moore" said Mr.. Baumgarten.
But you will come back and tell US
and tell US how Mrs. Chester is?' said
Lady Grace, as he was passing through
the gate.
"Yes, certainly, IL you wish It., he
. answered, walking away with so feet a
step that the clerk with difficulty kept IN
with him.
II fancy it must have been on his mind.
sir" said he: mot direct, perhaps. but
some inkling like of what was about to
happen. This afternoon, when ia took
of his surplice in the vestry went and
put things 20 rights bit in the church.
and when l got back into the yestry to
lock up, | was surprised to see the rector
still there, sitting opposite the outer door
which stood open TO the churchyard
Don't you feel well,sir?' said /. oh, YES
I'm well,' he answered, but I'm tired
We must all all get to feel tired when
the end of our life is at hand. Moore. and
mine has been long one Yes, il has.
sir, and happy one, too said, thank
God With that he rose up from his chair
and lifted his hands towards Heaven.
looking up at the blue sky Thanks be
to my merciful God he repeated. sol
emnly, in a hushed sort of tone. For
that, and all the other blessings of my
past life on earth, thanks be unto Him .
With that. he took his hat aud stick and
walked out to the churchyard." concluded
the clerk. leaving me bit dazed as
'twere. for 1 had never heard him talk
like that before he was not the sort %
man to do it."
Within an hour Mr. Baumgarten was
back at Avon House. Lady Grace was
still lingering in the ga rden in rho s,,,
mer twilight. He told her in hushed
voice all he had TO tell of the general
state of things at the rectory, of poor Mrs.
Chester's sad distress.
Mamma Is expecting you," said Grace.
81 broke the news TO her but she wants
20 hear more particulars"