Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-09-12
CHAPTER XIII.

Sagement OF her sons, his anticipated
alliance with one whose claim to
high Or noble lineage she was wholly
ignorant OF humbled her. Pride was,
without doubt, the master passion ca
her LIE; put there was another al
most as great-that was love for her
only son. He was perhaps the only
being that she ever loved with
thorough, self-sacrificing devotion
True, she was fond of Barbara; but
had Barbara been penn.less, instead
OF a wealthy heiress, the countess
would never have planned that mar
riage for her son.
1t was early on the morning follow
ing that the young earl sought his
mother. After a sleepless and anx-
ious elaboration, he resolved upon
making an appeal to her affection.
that, he thought she could never
Withstand; and he was right in his
conjecture. He appealed to his mo-
theirs love, and won from her a
most reluctant consent to his mar
riage with Lady Hutton's ward.
How nobly Barbara has behaved
she said with deep sigh. She
would have made a fitting mistress
sof Bayneham; and | misjudeed her
SO cruelty; l thought she had played
you false, Claud.''
No one living is, or can be. more
true than Barbara" said Lord Bayne-
ham; 'but there is a fate in love,
mother. What sent men hat May
morning into Brynmar woods?"
Then, in his own simple and truth
full way, Claud told Lady Bayneham
the whole history of his love; his
first meeting with Hi;da, his struggle
to forget her. and his intense happi-
ness at finding himself free to WOO
her; and Lady Bayneham was
touched in spite of herself.
"She is very fair and beautiful"
she said; but, Claud, there is one
thing-I give my consent with certain
conditions. Remember Hilda is not
Lady Hutton's daughter, she is only
her ward. | am saying nothing
against her; l suppose her to be a
distant relative of Lady Hutton's,
adopted by her because she is child
less; but | must insist upon every
particular of her birth and parentage
being laid before us. 1t is nothing
but right; the Baynehams, of Bayne-
ham, never married beneath Them
"Of course; you are right, mother
said the young earl. Lady Hutton
will give us every information, i
know | have heard that Hilda was
the daughter of her dearest friend;
but | shall see her this morning, and
shall ascertain all the particulars for
you"
Il suppose she will inherit all La ly
Hutton's fortune" said the countess.
81 have thought about it, replied
her son indifferently; she is peerless
herself; but | have no doubt she will
1T will not be so bad after ALL
said her ladyship complacently, eff
her pedigree is all right"
Lord Bayneham laughed, and,
elated with the concession he had
won from his proud mother, went to
seek Lady Hutton.
There seemed to be strange calm
in the house when he reached it.
The windows were all closed, and the
servant who opened the door looked
unusually grave and serious
Can | see Lady Hutton?" asked
Claud. rs she engaged?"
Her ladyship is seriously i'll, my
lord" was the mans reilly; "she was
siezed with fit last evening, and
has not been conscious since"
is Miss Hutton with hre he en-
CURED inexpressibly shocked at the
news.
Miss Hutton has never left my
lady since she was taken ill.," the
man replied.
Il hope to hear better news this
evening" said Lord Bayneham as he
turned away.
Il He felt like one in a dream; the
sun was shining brightly the streets
were crowded with gailydressed peo-
pie; life. gaiety, and happiness
seemed to thrill through the summer
air; yet over the house he had left
hung the dark shadow of illness, and
perhaps approaching death. He went
to his club, and there wrote his nrsc
love-letter, telling Hilda her sorrow
was his, and asking to share it. Let
me see you this evening" he said
"iust to give you some little consola-
ticn.'
When the letter was gone, Lord
Bayneham felt more at ease. To 10
his mother justice. she was startled
and shocked to hear of Lady Hatton's
illness.
cit would be most awkward if any
thing happened just now she said.
81 trust, at least, that she will re-
cover Consciousness"
The day passed slowly, Claud long
ing for the evening. when he could
see Hilda and share her sorrow.
A dark cloud hung OYER Lday Hut
toms MAGNIFICENT houcp The servants