New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-06-01
WHOLE NUMBER III.

military men, a gooa selecuon Q.
"eligibles," and amongst the most ad-
mired and popular were Lady Varlien
and the handsome Neapofitan Prince.
Lady Viola was perhaps more charming
than ever, in dress that was q marvel
GUS combination of white lace and green
grasses, with tiny pearls for dew-drops.
1t suited 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 col0rs 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.
Ross had been delighted to meet Lady
Viola again. OF the sweet, passionate
love buried while the Christmas snow
lay upon the ground he knew nothing.
In the full security of his own happy
love he had laughed little at the hand
some Neapolitan.
He win be like many Others he
said, "a wiser man for loving Lady
Viola.''
Ross and Lady Viola had met with
all the old affection on his side; on hers
there was trembling agitation, which she
tried to mask with indifference.
''How you have altered, Ross!' she
said, looking with shy eyes into the dark,
sunburnt.'
ssCn xuo,,11 no., Io V:o1o go. 49,
years under Spanish sun!''
''You look older. You have grown
beard and mustache! You are not lik
the Ross who went away"
''You do not seem to think have
improved" he said.
eyes, do; but you are so much more
ma, All, here comes your
As she spoke child lovely as cher
ub ran up to Ross and sprang into his
arms.
'.Do you love him SO much?" asked
Lady Viola, wonderingly.
''Indeed I d." answered Roas; 1--WE
love each other dearly. But I never
show any fondness for him before Lady
Cumnor; If did, she would contrive to
make the child dislike me. We man
age to do all our love-making when no
one is near.''
She laughed, and said. carelessly-
Zone can see the child loves you well
enough for the little pink arms
were clasped around his neck, while
the child kissed him with passionate
affection.
''Would you like to 20 out on the
lake, Hugh?' he asked. And the child
cried in his glee:
Eyes, yes; with you In boat!''
Ross promised to take him. Holding
the little one by the hand, Ross made
his way to the great arm chair under
the cedar, where Lady Cumnor sat in
state.
May take Hugh on the mere, Lady
Cumnore" he asked; and she looked
up with a cold, cruel smile.
If you will promise to bring him
back safely" she replied; and some of
the group round her were surprised st
the words.
"Why should not?' he asked.
She laughed an insolent laugh that
brought q hot flush to his face.
"Why should yQup You know best
because he will be heir of Larohton
Mere, probably"
He wondered at her bad taste in
speaking thus publicly. But he con-
soled himself with the thought that her
iu-breeding could not hurt him.
s. do not think he will be heir of
Larchton Mere. madam he said.
"You forget that l have an equal right
to it,
81 forget nothing. wonder Sir
Austen has not told you before now. Is
it possible that you do not know7 Sir
Austen drew up will some months
since, making my boy, the son of an
Englishw0man, heir to these English
lands.''
There was q stir in the little group,
partly caused by surprise at the news
and partly owing to the way in which
she told it. But Lady Cumnor's desire
to triumph over him overcame all her
shame. Ross was for few moments
rendered speechless by the blow. Then
the hot blood rushed to his face, and he
muttered some words that sounded like
q threat to Lady Cumnor.
edo you threaten me, Mr.. Rossp''
she asked, calmly.
He turned on his heel and left her.
He could never remember in the after
years what those murmured words were
He forgot that he still held the child's
hand, and he walked on in his excite
ment until they were at some distance
from the crowd-alone, in fact; and
then he saw that the child was crying.
II want the boat, Ross" he said.
"You shall have 1t, my darling; it Is
no fault OF yours" replied Ross. Quite
by chance, John Gotham, who had
charge of the little pleasure-boat and
the boat-house, came up at that mo-
ment.
81 want the boat, john" said Ross.
II am going to take the child on the
mere.''
John thought his young master looked
strange; but he made no remark He
helped to get out the boat; and the last
he heard Of them was the child's CRY of
delight as Ross rowed towards the white
water lilies.
CHAPTER TX.
Most of the visitors had gathered on
the lawn, where the band was stationed.
Selections from favorite opera wero
being played, and the guests were
busily engaged in discussing claret-cup
and ices. Lady Cumnor was somewhat
flushed and still slightly triumphant
after her victory over Ross. She had
intended to tell him about the will be-
fore others. so that her triumph might
be doubled. He had taken the news
far better than she had expected. There
had been one passionate outburst; then
all was over. He had left her presence
with flushed face and angry eyes, and
with muttered execration that he had
not been able to suppress; and that was
the extent of the triumph she had
gained. She felt sure that she had in.
jured her cause; for round her she had
seen one or two faces that wore an ex-
preston of displeasure.
A little later Lady Cumnor was talk
ing about her boy-the very pride Of