The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-10-31
/, placing both her hands in his own, er

fy placing both her hands in his own, ex-
claimed: @
"Ah, Dunwoodie! how happy, on many
accounts, am to see you! have
brought you in here to prepare you to
meet an unexpected friend in the opposite
room"
ITO whatever cause it may be owing,s
cried the youth, pressing her hands to his
lips, II, too, am happy in being able to
see you alone. Frances, the probation
you have decreed is cruel; war and dis
tance may shortly separate us forevef."
I'VE must submit to the necessity
which governs us. But it is not love
speeches l would hear now; have other
and more important matters for your at
tention. Dear Dunwoodie, you know my
sentiments-this war once ended. and you
may take that hand forever-but I can
never consent to tie myself to you by any
closer union than already exists, so long
as you are arrayed In arms against my
only brother. Even now, that brother In
awaiting your decision to restore him to
liberty, or to conduct him to a probable
DEATH"
Your brotherT" cried Dunwoodie,
starting and turning pale "your brother
explain yourself-what dreadful meaning
is concealed in your words?"
Has not Captain Lawton told you of
the arrest of Henry" continued Frances,
In voice barely audible.
He told me of arresting a captain Of
the Goth in disguise, but without men
tioning where or whom," replied the ma
jor in a similar tone.
"Dunwoodie Dunwoodie ~ exclaimed
Frances. in the most fearful apprehen-
sions, what means this agitation?" A.
the major slowly raised his face she cor
tinued, Surely, surely, you will not be-
tray your friend, my brother-your broth
er-to an ignominious deathy
Frances" exclaimed the Young man
in agony, what can l do? l would this
moment die for you--for Henry-but 7
cannot forget my duty-cannot forfeit my
honor; you yourself would be the first to
despise me if did,
"Peyton Dunwoodie said Frances,
solemnly, and with a face Of ashy pale
ness, you have told me-you have sworn
that you loved me. Do you think can
throw myself into the arms of a man
whose hands are stained with the blood
of my only brother?"
Frances. you wiring my very heart"
then pausng, to struggle with his feelings.
he endeavored to force smile, as he add
ed, but after all, we may be torturins
ourselves with unnecessary fears, and
Henry, when l know the circumstances,
may be nothing more than a prisoner Of
war; in which case, l can liberate him
on parole"
"Oh! there can be no just grounds to
doubt it; | knew knew-Dunwoodie
you would never desert us in the hour Of
our greatest needv' The violence of her
feelings prevailed. and the agitated girl
found relief in a food of tears.
Frances having sufficiently recovered
her recollection to command herself, now
eagerly led the way into the opposite
room. The salutations of the young men
were cordial and frank, and, on the part
Of Henry Wharton, as collected as il moth
ing had occurred to disturb his self-pos-
session.
After exchanging greetings with every
member of the family, Major Dunwoodie
btckoned to the sentinel, whom Captain
Lawton had left in charge of the prisoner,
to leave tho room. Turning to Captain
Wharton, he inquired, mildly:
Tell me, Henry, the circumstances Of
this disguise, in which Captain Lawton
reports you to have been found"
THE disguise was used by me to en-
able me to visit my friends"
But you did not wear it until you
saw the troop of Lawton approaching?"
"Oh! no." interrupted Frances, eager
ly, forgetting all the circumstances in her
anxiety for her brother; Sarah and my
self placed them on him when the dra-
goons appeared; it was our awkwardness
that led to the discovery"
The countenance of Dunwoode bright
ened. as, turning his eyes in fondness on
the speaker, he listened to her explana-
ton.
Probably some articles of your own"
he continued, which were at hand, and
were used on the spur of the moment"
No" said Wharton, with dignity;
"the clothes were worn by me from the
city. they were procured for the purpose
to which they were applied, and intend
ed tn use them in my return this very
day"
(To be continued)