Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-07-22
S
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
"Prince Cahrlie's" daughter! The sun
s,one On the day of her birth; the bells in
Erceldean pealed merrily; the flag waved
for Erceldean towers; every face on the
Erceldean estate wore a bright, pleased
expression Her ladyship has little
daughter" the tenants said one to an
other, ahen stopped moment and added,
Heaven bless the mother and the child!
"Prnce Charlie" himself was in
trance of delight. He might have lived
In the olden days when people cried out,
"Largess-a princess is born" he gave
with both hands, royalty as king.
The clang of joy bells filled the air; fra
GRANGE and melody greeted the birth OF
prince Charles daughter-Beatrix
Lennox, heress Of Erceldean. No kings
heart was ever stirred with more passion
ate joy than this which now animated the
heart of prince Charlie He stood on
the summit of a sloping hill, thick green
grass waving at his feet, wild heather to
the right and to the left of him, tall,
spreading trees over his head. He looked
round him with pride and delight. This
noble domain of Erceldean, how fair it
was! In all the length of bonny Scotland
no spot was half so fair-and it would all
be hers one day.
"What shall l name her?" he thought.
"BeatrX Lennox, the proudest, fairest,
haughtiest lady of our race, Won the love
of a king. She might have been crowned
queen but that she loved the land of her
birth better than the king who wooed her.
She preferred to be Countess of st. Mar
/ will cali my daughter 'Beatrix' it is a
name of good omen. Perhaps it may win
for ner a loyal love-"
He repeated the name as he descended
the hill. He walked quickly through the
heather, through the clover meadows,
through the pleasure gardens, and along
the terraces that surrounded the castle.
A waiting woman met him at the door.
''Her ladyship would be SO pleased to
see you, colonel" she said.
The colonel went ON his way singing,
in low voice, his favorite song, "The
Blue Bells of Scotland" He reached her
ladyships ROOM and there waited until
the nurses voice bid him enter. 1t was
large, lofty room, superbly furnished.
On the bed, with it's rich hangings, lay a
pale, gentle lady, with a sweet, patient
face-sweet, yet sad, as of one who suf-
fered in silence. She held proudly in her
arms little child. She raised her eyes
as the colonel entered.
Charlie come and look at her." she
said. Il have never seen such a face.
Look at her!'
"There is some character in baby S
face, remarked the colonel. Look at
the sweet little lips-how firmly they are
closed! See how deMcately arched the
brows are. The eyes are dark. There
is an cid border song of "A dark-eyed Len
nox with heart of fire.
Lady LennoX looked up at her husband.
"Chariie,' she began half reluctantly, 'do
you know why l sent for you? l thought
that on this the day that our little child
has been given to us you would not re-
fuse my petition"
''That will not he replied. 'Iike the
king in your favorite history, would give
you the half of my kingdom"
She laid her hand on his thick, cluster
ing curls.
MY dear Charlie, have never doubted
your willingness to give. l doubt, though,
whether you have much to give. l know
it is almost useless to talk to you; but,
Charlie, now that we have the little one,
will YOU not try to alter? | want you to
promise to be more economical. Do not
give away so much-do not bet on those
terrible horses-do not trust so implicitly
in a blind fate; if you do, ruin will follow.
Generosity is u duty, but not such lavish
generosity as yours. For my sake, for the
little cne's sake, begin now to act differ
entity
He bent down and kissed the rosebud
face.
81 WILL Ailsa You know 1 mean to do
right always-I have no thought of doing
wrong. Dame Nature is to blame. who
gave me the open hands of a king without
the revenues to fin them. l like bright
faces, and if a gift of mine clears a sad
face, | am we'll pleased"
.'Sav these words after me-'For your
sake, my little Beatrix, l promise to be
more tareful-to give less. to save more.
to renounce betting, and devote my time
to home
He REPEATED the words, and then kissed
his wife's hands and the baby's face.
'Ailsa. l hope your daughter will be
like yourself
The baby was chriStened soon after
ward A duchess was its godmother. The
whole domain of Erceldean seemed to be
illuminated. The only one troubled with
foreboding, the only one who wept when
others laughed. and sighed when others
smiled, who foresaw sorrow, was the
wife of Prince Charlie" the mother of
the little heiress, Lady Lennox.
CHAPTER II.
The sun shone upon few Drawer bright
er. happier men than Col. Charles Len
nox. He was one of the handsomest Off
GERS n her majesty's army-a man of
lofty stature and powerful build, with i,