Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-08-29


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, Ciaud,
chat is why asked you to come here. .
He waited wonderingly, for he saw
that her face was full Of deep emotion.
Answer me truly she said, what
do you love best in the world? Speah
truly"
81 always do said Lord Bayneham.
proudly; but you startled me, Bar
bara.''
If you were to ask me whom l
loved best in the world" continued
Miss Earle, Il should say my bethro-
thed husband, Claud Bayneham. 1t
is because love you so well that /
have asked you to come here
Lord Bayneham did not know what
reply to make. He was prepared to
marry his cousin, to be true and kind,
but he had nothing to 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.
"Claud,' continued Barbara, laying
her hand gently upon his arm 81
Will tell you whom you love best in
the world. 1t is that fair young girl
you met in Byrnmar woods, Hilda
Hutton. You love her as you never
have-never can love another"
Il should never have said So" replied
Lord Bayneham sorrowfully.
Il know it," said Barbara; you
would have married me and tried to
forget her. prefer making the sacri-
fee myself, Claud. 1t would be use
less" she continued, "for me to affect
that / do not love you. AS long as
can remember you have been all the
world to me. The strength and depth
of my love will be best proved by what
am going to do. Your welfare and
happiness are dearer to me then my
own; therefore l release you from
your promise-from all the ties that
bind you to me. ! give you your free
dom. You are at liberty to love and
marry whom you will; and | do this
because love you and wish to see
you happy
But, Barbara" demonstrated Lord
Bayneham, Il would never have asked
for this; cannot consent"
Even as he spoke Barbara saw a
half f1utter of joy in his face, and her
own grew paler.
Il know that" she said; but do you
think, Claud, l could marry you, know
ing full well that you love another? 1t
would be impossible" she continued,
Tor he made no reply; yf you were to
kneel and ask me to be your wife, |
would not. / do not blame you for
loving her; she is thousand times
more fair than /; but loving her,
could you be so unjust as to oner to
marry me?"
Il wish | were dead cried Lord
Bayneham; Il wish had died rather
than have brought unhappiness to you.
Barbara, | love you, but in a different
way"
L shall be very unhappy for little
time said Miss Earle sorrowfully:
but then l am brave woman, and
brave women have to live down sor-
row. All my happiness will come
from seeing yours
You are a noble woman, Barbara, y
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.
Go now, she said gently, "anf
leave me to speak to Lady Bayneham."
Claud turned away; he could not
ave spoken another word. lie
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 morning lost.