The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-12-27
The Minister'S S Wife
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD

to dispatch Moore by that route, though
1t was hardly likely the children had
taken 1t.
In any kind of suspense time seems to
move on leaden wings. When an hour
had elapsed and did not bring the tru-
ants, Lady Grace grew very uneasy. In
her restlessness, she put on her bonnet
and went down the avenue to where the
high road crossed it, and stood there look
| ing out. All the stragglers, passing by,
were going toward the fair; none COM
| ing from it.
About half past Q. standing again in
| the road, she saw Mr.. Baumgarten hast
ening back. But he was not leading a
child in each hand, as she had fondly
| pictured he was alone.
II cannot see or hear anything of
them" he said, in answer to his wife's
impulsive question. II don't think they
can have gone to the fair"
Mr.. Baumgarten was utterly fatigued
| and quite at loss to decide which way
| would be the best next to start upon.
Grace shivered inwardly, picturing the
| harm which would come or had come, to
Charley.
"Do you think they have been kid
mapped, Ryle? Both are beautiful boys"
"No, no." said Mr.. Baumgarten.
BY degrees they became aware that sun
dry people were speeding along the high
way one after another, not toward the
fair, but in the other direction.
Where can they be going?" cried
Grace. "Has anything happenedg' she
! inquired, running to arrest one of them
a working man from cottage hard by.
Its reported that there has just been
great landslip in that cutting they were
making for the railway, my lady, and
some people are buried under it." an
swered the man. Zone boys killed"
Lady Grace cried out in terror. "Oh,
Ryle, Ryle, do you hear?" she moaned.
That's where the children are gone. The
other day when / had them out with me
could hardly get them past it. They
wanted to go down into the cutting"
Mr.. Baumgarten turned very pale.
"Hush, my dear ~ he said, in low, ten
der tone, 1--WE must hope for the best. Go
indoors, my love; keep yourself as tran
quill as you can, while / go on with
Brice."
Indoors In that suspense? No;
Lady Grace could not be tranquil enough
| for that. She paced about the avenue.
and sat down on the bench, and stood in
| the highway watching the runners speed
| ing to the scene, all by fits and starts.
Twilight was coming on when she saw her
husband returning Mr.. Brice was with
him.
| The landslip had not been so bad as
| reported. Landslips and other mishaps
rarely are. Two men only were injured,
| and the boy spoken of; none of them
mortally, and Mr.. Brice had attended to
them No trace had been found there of
| the children.
| .'I'm sure / don't know where to look
now" said Mr.. Baumgarten, his voice be-
| traying his WEAKNESS. Grace, / believe
| must snatch some refreshment before
go out again."
She put her arm within his at once,
and led him down the avenue. Are you
coming, too, Mr.. Brice?" she said, hold
ing out her hand. "That's right. I'm
sure you must need something"
Just as she was speaking the gate
opened and group came in. A tall man.
with flashing black eyes and a yellow
skin, evidently a gypsy, and-the two
boys. He was carrying Charley in his
arms; Cyras trotted beside him.
Mamma, mamma !" cried Charley. And
Grace Baumgarten wondered whether she
had ever before given such heartfelt
thanks to God.
Instead of advancing to meet the chill
dren and the man, Mr.. Baumgarten sud
denly sat down on a garden seat. The
same curious sickness, or pain, or oppres-
sicn--he hardly knew what 1t was-which
hai attacked him once or twice before,
* 'zed him now. Mr.. Brice and Lady
GrN&c were asking questions.
"Ies, master" said the man, address,
ing Mr.. Brice, "when we got back to the
women and children this evening these
two little gents was there with 'em round
the fire; so I set of again and brought
'em home"
Looking white and i'll. Mr.. Baumgar-
ten came forward. The paroxysn had
passed. He spoke few heartfelt thanks
to the man and rewarded him, and took
him indoors that something to eat and
drink might be given to him.
II shall never speak against gypsies
again." impulsively declared Lady Grace
Baumgarten.
CHAPTER XI.
The shades of twilight were fast gath