The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-02-14

again, the OFu DiSuOp OF Denndui, Calling
at his chambers, found some very unor-
thodox pen-and-ink sketches on his blot
ting pad. Charley forthwith went down
in his lordship's estimation, and lost some
| work the bishop had just offered him. /
should like to have seen the good mans
face" broke of Lord Avon. laughing.
"But Is that all?" asked Gertrude. 1T
does not seem very terrible affair, If
there is nothing more behind it,
ut certainly sounds rather like case
of much ado about nothing" assent"d the
earl. "But 1t is not quite all Charles
has been going In largely for jewelry
and can't, or won't, pay for it."
"Does he ask you to help him? Is that
his reason for writing?"
"Not at all. He distinctly disavows
| any motive of the kind; does not intend
to pay the bill himself, or allow any one
else to pay it for him. He says he knows
that DIR. Dynevor is about to acquaint me
with the whole affair, and wishes to give
me first of all his own version of it.
Among other changes, the engagement
with Mary is broken off,"
"But that is serious" exclaimed Ger
trude, much troubled. "It will ruin both
their lives Who has done I'll"
"Dr. Dynevor, and on account of these
matters. I'm sorry for Charley, and sup
pose l must see into it," concluded the
earl, passing at length through the gate.
He walked away. Gertrude went slow
ly up the garden and crossed to a nat
ural arbor formed by the interlacing trees,
and there sat down on a bench overshad-
H., H., l,a .,,,,
laburnum.
IF she and Charles should part for
good, would Everard return to her?' shy
ly wondered Gertrude, with flushing
cheeks. ''IIe said Why-who is
this?"
She half rose in her astonishment.
Strolling down the broad path from the
house came Sir Everard Wilmot. Could
it be he? Gertrude gased as one in a
dream. Sir Everard walked across the
lawn and held out his hand.
II am so much surprised" she said, as
her own hand met his, and her lovely face
turned to rose color. II had not even
heard that you were expected"
81 came down from London this morn
ing" he answered, as he took his seat
DtSluc w utn hNVh was iuSt III
town he invited me to come to him for a
day or two. Having nsthing particularly
on hand just now, thought the occasion
too good to be lost. You are not sorry to
see me, Miss Baumgarten"
''Oh, no; why should be sorryT flut-
tered Gertrude. 1--WE must all be glad to
see you, for it is dull here. often wish
myself away"
A moments silence. Then Sir Ever
ard took possession OF the hand again,
and bent little forward. his face, slight
ly agitated, turned to hers.
II am given to plain speaking, as you
may remember, Gertrude; l cannot beat
about the bush with fine phrases, as some
men can,'' he said. my dear, / came
here to-day with one sole object-that of
asking you to be my wife. Oh, Gertrude
don't say me nay again J"
She bent her head and her changing
face. Mis- Baumgarten lost all her dig
nifty, and burst into tears. Somehow nc
did not regard it as a bad omen. Per
haps he was an expert at Interpreting
signs and tokens. However that might
be, he put his arm around her and drew
her gently to him.
"My darlingw he whispered with inn
passioned feryor. II see that you will not
send me away" And Gertrude bent her
face still lower as she murmured:
Perhaps you have not heard--Mary
Dynevor and Charles-their engagement
is broken Off"
Gertrude, don't you know me better
than that?" he rejoined. did you not
IN, ha ,aof do uS
that it was not Mary Dynevor / loved,
but you? When you refused me, refused
even to listen to a word I would have
spoken, turned to Mary in--I fear l
must say it-vexation of sodl. My dear,
why did you treat me soT
Should she ever be able to tell him?
Not yet, at any rate. She had mistaken
his frequent visits to the sick daughter
of lady staying in the place, friends Of
her own and of Lady Grace. A foolish,
gossiping woman had whispered to Ger
trude that Mr.. Wilmot was paying so
| much attention to this young sick lady
| that their engagement was an absolute
certainty. Gertrude believed it, and be-
came at once so resentfully jealous that
| when Mr.. Wilmot, not long afterward
| spoke to her, in her pride she retaliated
upon him with indignation. No, she could
| not tell him ell this to-day, or speak Of
the sore repentance which had ever since
laid upon her.
She drew herself TO the end of the
| bench. put her hat on decorously, and cs-
| sayed to converse upon indifferent topics !;
| tho beauty OF the day, the scent of the
lilac, the song of the birds. do you see
that laburnumI" she asked, scarcely
| knowing what she said. at is my favor
| itc tree; the most beautiful of all trees I;
| the most graceful of all blossoms"
Yes he replied, II almost agree with
you The country people call it gold
chain down with us," he added, smiling.
.Down with you"
"In the country where my home is |;
the fairest county in the heart Of Eng
1 land Sonu IN ha vour homo also \ hnr,a