New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-05-25
CHAPTER v.

CHAPTER v.
While the under-current of bitter jeaL
ousy remained all was outwardly brill
liant and happy at Larchton Mere.
The whole county welcomed it's
new and beautiful mistress. She was
admired exceedingly; and people
said how fortunate it was for Sir
Austen 10 have found so beauti-
full a wife, one 50 accomplished, so
stately, and so well fitted for her posi-
ton!
The Baronet never thought agsia OF
the little scene before the picture. To
his indolent, happy nature everything
seemed to be going we'll; his beautiful
wife was admired and liked, the pretty
baby-boy grew and thrived, his hand
some, gifted son took almost all trouble
from him, and his ward grew every DAY
dearer to him. What more could he
wish or desire? He had not the faint
est idea of the jealousy that was hidden
in his wife's breast. Everything seemed
right to him and to others.
At length the day came when Lady
Viola and Mrs. Pitt were to leave the
mere and return home. Lady Viola
tried her best to be happy as usual; but
there was a cloud on her face. It
seemed to her that nothing would ever
be the same again. She loved Ross
Gunner with all her heart; they had
been more than friends, yet not lovers.
She had made him her ideal; and, in
her bright, hopeful fashion, she had al
ways believed that in time he would
love her and ask her to be his wife.
She had had many admirers, but she
had never given a thought to them. II
Ross liked any one, SO did she. II he
disliked any one, she was sure to imi.
tate him. Her life was colored by his,
her thoughts and ideas were all shaped
by his. Ever since the day when, as
children, they had met, played, quar-
relied and made friends, she had loved
him with the love of woman rather
than of child.
Her visits to Larchton Mere had al
ways been very pleasant ones; but,
now that this visit was drawing to q
close, she felt that she was disappointed
with it. The new elements had not
been altogether harmonious. Ross had
been, as he always was, most kind to
her; nevertheless there was a differ
ence. He had talked and laughed as
usual with her; but how often it had
happened that, when she had raised her
head quickly to look at him, she had
found his eyes fixed upon Lean Dyne-
vOr-how often she had asked him q
question, and he had answered her at
random, because his whole attention
had been given to Lean!
Ao oo,,, ho1 xrro>o 1n~oI ol>,,,A -. -
she wondered about Lean. Did he love
her, this lovely Southern girl, who had
come so suddenly amongst themp Did
he prefer herp How Lady Viola longed
to know! She little dreamt how often
thosessweet eyes of hers asked the ques-
ton.
Lady Cumnor had resolved to give q
small dancing party on the last evening
of Lady Viola and Mrs. Pitts visit. She
liked Lady Viola, her chief reason be.
ing that she had fair hair; for her lady.
ships jealousy of the dead and the hv-
ing had reached such q pitch that she
even began to dislike dark-h haired PEG.
pie. She decided that, as Mrs. Pitt
and her niece were leaving the next day,
ball would be too fatiguing, especial
~, she 0bserved-quite ignoring Lean
AS Lady Viola would be the belle.
Lady Viola was sad at heart when the
evening came. In the cleaning they
were all together in one Of the prettiest
rooms at the mere. It was called the
blue drawing room, and was never
used on state occasions. only when the
family were alone or with intimate
friends; it was not a large apartment,
but it was unique in its charm. On one
| side was large window which looked
out upon the mere and upon q waterfall
that fell over some picturesque rock.
work. The silvery spray, the sound Of
the falling water, and the mere with ita
borders Of dropping trees, made this
window a favorite spot. The room it.
self was magnifcently furnished; all
that art could suggest or money obtain
was procured for It's decoration. Lady
Cumnor preferred it to any other.
The shades of evening had fallen, and
a gray light lay over the mere. In the
CRATE burned q bright fire, which filed
the room with ruddy light, and before
which sat three lovely women. Two
of them--the girl with the sweet South
ern face and dark passionate eyes, and
the fair English girl whose face was like
9 rose and whose eyes had the purple
light OF the heartsease-were seated
/ side bv side. To the third Mr.. pitt