American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-07-02
CHAPTER VIII.

the world to him. The three years had
brought but few changes to Larchton
Mere. The baby-bOy had grown into Il
fine. handsome little fellow, of whom
both parents were passionately fonda
child who might have sat for a model
of cherubic beauty; he had checks like
damask roses and lips like cherries: he
had his mothers golden hair and blue
eyes; and she worshiped him as surely
mother never worshiped child before.
He could run and talk; he was adored
by the whole household, and loved by
every one who saw him, perhaps by no
one more tenderly than Sir Austen him.
self
Three years had passed over Sir
Austen and had left him more indo-
lently happy than ever. He looked
younger rather than older. for his life
was one of uninterrupted happiness,
now that her ladyship had her own
way. Lady Cumnor was AVAILABILITY it
self; every hour he seemed to fall more
and more under her iniiuence-she. not
ne, managed the whole estate. Lady
Cumnor was no indolent woman of
fashion; she had all the details of
management lat her finger-ends -
she did more even than Ross had done.
She answered all Sir Austen's letters
and kept his accounts, SO that he had
even less to do than ever. In vain
Ross looked through his fathers's let
tiers to see if there was any word to
show how much he missed his services;
but there was none. How could there
be when her ladyship devoted herself
SO indefatigably to him?
Lady Cumnor herself had grown
even more beautiful. She was nearing
the climax of her magnificent woman
hood; her hair was of deeper gold, and
her eyes of deeper hue. She had
done what she had vowed to accom-
plish driven away the son of the dead
wife who had carried his mothers dark
beauty in his face. She had no more
to dread or to fear; she would see now
that her son reigned in his stead.
Three years had matured Lean s
brilliant, Southern beauty. She was a
slender girl when Ross went away, and
now the magnificent promise of beauty
was fulfilled; the fresh, pure air of
Larchton Mere had brought delicate
bloom to her face, her eyes were bright
as stars, and her face. still bearing the
rapt, spiritual look that Ross loved so
well, had gained wonderfully in ex-
preston. In three years she had
P1ooto W
and every moment of that time her
love for Ross had increased. There
bad been many long conversations be-
tween Sir Austen and Lean as to
Ross return and their marriage, where
they would live, and how her ladyship
would take the news.
One brilliant day in June Ross re-
turned. His three years of hard work
had been most excellently done. Sir
Austen was delighted beyond measure
at the result of his sons management.
You have increased the value of
our property in Spain by at least ten
thousand pounds, Ross" he said to
him; land that propose to settle on
Lean as pin money, when you marry
her. Later on, when have recovered
a little from the excitement of your re-
turn, we will talk about where YOU
must live. l told her ladyship rester-
day of your betrothaL She did not
seem displeased.
Ross smiled. The fact of her ap-
proval or displeasure mattered little to
him.
The meeting of Lean and Ross had
been something they would both re-
member while they lived, and they
could hardly even yet believe in their
own happiness.
On this bright June day Lady Cum
nor had sent out invitations for small
garden-party. 1t so happened that on
the day before Lady Viola and Mrs.
Pitt had returned from an Italian tour
There were many rumors of a dark
haired Neapolitan Prince, who was so
passionately in love with sweet Lady
Viola that he had followed her from
Naples to the Manor House. Mrs. Pitt
was dreadfully perplexed at his arrival,
but could not refuse him hospitality
In vain she demonstrated with him,
and told him that her niece, having re-
fused him once, would not be likely to
accept him now.
6 am of the race, madam" he said,
"that conquers all difficulties. Moth
ing seemed more difficult to bring about
than the liberation of Italy, yet we
have accomplished it. Nothing seems
more difficult than for me to win Lady
Viola; but shall win her in the end,
you will see. Nothing can kill my love,
nothing can change il, and nothing can
lessen it; so that in the cud it must
win."
81 hope you are right, Prince" said
Mrs. Pitt; ''but doubt it very much"
My dear madam, we shall see,"
laughed the Prince. "Give to me Your
kind hospitality, and in few DAYS we
shall see what we shall seel You will
let me go to the garden-party of which
you speak, will You not, madam And
II my Lady Viola is still proud and cold
to me, if she will have none of me, you,
madam, will allow me to escort you?''
Certainly, Prince" replied Mrs.
Fit. but 1 am afraid you might as
well have stopped in Naples"
But Prince Cenci had faith in the
power of his great love. He thought
it must prevail in the end. So he was
one who was to be present at the gar
dem party.
Everything in nature was bright and
beautiful on the eventful day. The
party was not a very large one; but, as
Lady Gunner said. proudly. it was select
highly select. There were pretty
girls, lovely women, sprinklinS of
men, good selection of
"cligibles," and amongst the most adj
mired and popular were Lady Varlien
aud the handsome Neapolitan Prince.
Lady Viola was perhaps more charming
than ever, in dress that was a marvel
Gus combination of white lace and green
grasses. with tiny pearls for dew-drops
IL ssitcd her fair, fresh loneliness to per-
lection.
Lady Cumnor looked superbly hand
some in costume of light blue silk
shrouded in rich laces; and Lean wore
her favorite color5 of amber and white.
With an intensity of happiness she had
awaited this day; for ON it Sir Austen
had promised to arrange the time for
the wedding.