The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
The story that Audrey heard from her
mothers lips was snort and pitiful one
a story full OF wor1an's misery, a
mans treachcry, and a husbands broken
heart.
Years before, when Constance Gas
coisne v:s a. girl Of nineteen. and had
Just made her debut in the world sho
went to stay with a half-si.ter of her
nother's down in a small country viii
lage. The aunt with whom Constance
stayed-Lady Anstruther-h..d two sons,
one following no occupation, the other
young officer in = crack dcagoon regi-
ment, and with this cousin the beautiful
young girl fell most violently in love.
He on his side returned the love with
more than usual fervo-. Constance was,
in his eyes, the most be-utisul. the sweet
c>t the dearest woman in all the world.
For month the lovers lived in para
disc; when suddenly an abrupt ending
came to ths all too brief hslcyon time
Franks regiment was ordered to Bur
nah; they were to leave In O fortnight
What was to be done? Lady Ans
truther, already an invalid, was dis
trnught at the thought Of losing. her
youngest and best beloved son. Her
hearts best love was given to Frank,
although by no outward sign did she ever
allow the world to guess that he was
dcarer to her than her eldest, Roderick.
She was in no condition to be worried,
and that there would be no end Of worry
connected with their engagement the
levers knew full we'll Sir Edwin Gas
coigne would never consent to his daugh-
tcr's lLsrragn with a man who had moth
ing to depend upon except his pay, and
who was, moreover, the son Of man
whom Sir Edward had always hated. II
was not a moment for delay, and Frank,
full OF eager desire to bind his darling to
him, determined to make her his wife
before the day Of his departure came.
when once we are married, my dear
est he had urged, mot ali the objec-
tions in the world can part us for long
YOU do not mind roughing 1t with me,
l know, and IL Sir Edwin is very, very
angry, you Gun stay with mother till I
have made all my arrangements for you
to follow me ont to Burmah."
His entrpatics, his passionate plead
inss won tie day, anl Constance CON
G"','"1 ~ !"oH~ra his wifi. The would
have taken RoUerick into their confidence
had he given them the opportunity; but
Franks brother had gene away almost
Immediately on Constance's arrival
had, indeed, Stunned meeting the girl
in such marked manner that Con
stance had felt vaguely 3,urs-
,fr PoI,<foL foe, ,,ot I;l,,
me-" she had said to Lsr lover; but Frank
laughed the idea to 4x,rc.
Frederick is a qsecr, odd sort OF
char" he had answered: ''but I'll stake
my cvittencc that hhs feelings for you
are nct anything approaching dislike"
''Iou are 50 much alike in face, and
yet you are So different in nature" Con-
stance often said, gazing with admiring
eyes at her lover.
The two men were, indeed, strangely
alike. Both had coal-black hair, and
clear skins, ard eyes of the deepest, rar-
est blue. There was barely a year be-
tween them. and IN height, figure and
general bearing they were the fac-simile
of each other.
They were married quietly one morn
ing. Inc only wltneSS 10 the ceremony
being Marshall and the village clerk, and
then, after a week of mingled ecstasy
and unutterabls pain at the thought Of
their Forthcoming separation, the young
couple parted. Constance to return home
to her fathers house, her wedding ring
suspended round her neck till the moment
was epportune for speaking out Aer story,
and Frank to make his final arrange
ments.
They had one farewell meeting, In
which Eranl sought TO cheer and console
his young wife by every means il his
power. Hr told her he had written full
particulars Of their marriage to Roder-
lex, and begged her to confde in his
brother, who had promised to DO ell in
his power TO assist them.
''i..ar mp, my darling" he had entreat-
ed; .in s!x months from to-day, please
heaven, you will be with me, and never
leave my side again as long as life lasts.
If your father is obgdurste~-well, we
must do without his forgiveness. kiss
p'e once more, my wife, my hearts be-
l>.sed, and rrr ember, dearest, whatever
comes, trust a Rolerick."
Ito be continued)
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