Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-08-26

| ''Do you know Miss Lennox, that [ have
fallen in love with your face-you look so
true, so earnest; and want a friend who
is truthful and earnest"
II am truthful" returned candid Bea-
trix-'I come Of a truthful race. l am
earnest because I cannot help it. If you
like me, and want friend, l shall be
very pleased to be that friend, Lady Ray
ner."
"Call me Leola," requested the young
wife, with quick shudder-"l like that
name best"
Il will be your friend, Leola,' said
Beatrix. Quick, warm pity stirred her
| heart-,she did not know why-quick, ten
! der pity. She bent down and kissed the
pale, sweet face.
Lady Rayner told her of home in the
country where she amused herself and did
as she liked all day long, Beatrix noting
| keenly how pale her face was, how trans
| parent were the white hands, how she
strove against the sadness that seemed to
| master her; how at times she even forgot
what she was saying, and went Oft into
train Of painful thought. Beatrlx was
very gentle with her. They were laugh
ing heartily at an escapade of Lady Ray
/ ners, when suddenly she rose from her
| seat: her face grew white as death, and
her hands trembled.
'"That is my husband" she said. Il
thought he left home early this morning.
| Beatrix heard the sound of quick,
shutting footstep, the door opened, and
Lord Rayner entered the room. prince
Charles" daughter almost cried out IN
surprise as her eyes fell upon him. That
Lord Rayner! Why, he was surely one
Of the most insignificant and contemplate
looking men she had ever seen! He was
very little and very fierce; he had par
rot face, with small, twinkling eyes, and a
great hooked nose; and he spoke in nasal
tone. Was this the husband Of the SUI
perb blonde who trembled before him? He
did not see Beatrix at first, and in voice
indescribably fierce and shrill he began:
II thought I told you to write to Javins
about that carriage"
"You did," said his wife, trying to speak
calmly. Il am very sorry, Otho-1 quite
forgot it," He went nearer to her.
"You did not forget it!' he screamed.
''You did it purposely. You knew that
| wanted to 60 to Richmond You knew
| that l wanted that particular carriage.
1t is your spiteful, jealous temper that
prevented you from writing-and you
shall suffer for it,"
"Otho," said the pale, beautiful woman,
''Miss Lennox is here. You do not see
her, think"
The moment he saw the lovely heiress,
| his manner completely changed-he was
all that was obsequious.
| "You will pardon me, Miss Lennox, but
| I have been compelled to assert my pre-
rogative. No one in this miserable house
ever Obeys memo one ever attends to my
wishes--no one studies me-"
Without another word, Lady Rayner
sat down and wrote the note; when it was
finished she gave it to her husband to
read.
81 shall say no more about this now"
he said, with the air of one who would be
generous; "but the next time | express a
wish or give a command, see that it is
carried out-see that you obey"
81 will be careful" promised his wife.
"You have spoiled my day." he contin-
ued, revertjng again to his wrongs. II
had intended going to Richmond; really
believe you knew with whom l was go
ing, and were jealous"
He laughed again, with an air of self
complacency, which made him appear
doubly absurd; and Beatrix thought to
herself that if he repeated his laugh she
could almost go mad. She looked at the
pale, beautiful woman who was compelled
| to hear that laughter whenever he chose
| to infiict his presence on her.
'What could have induced her to marry
such a monster?" thought Beatrix; and
then she began to wonder. His mood had
changed.
II told Hanson to send up diamond
necklace for you to look at" he said to
his wife; 'they tell me that some of the
imperial stones are in it. You can have it
if you like it."
Then he rose from his seat and after
paying Il few fulsome compliments to Bea-
trix, and saluting his wife with marked
disdain, quilted the room.
"And that" thought Beatrix, sis a
MANI
Lady Rayner turned to her with a look
of great relief, and, without abiding to
her husband, began to talk again about
earlier days. Beatrix was greatly inter
ested in her new friend. She stayed long
er than she had intended, and rose at last
hurriedly to take her leave.
You will come again? asked Lady
Rayner. "Or shall I come to see you?'
whichever will suit you best You go
out great deal, l should imagine?' said
Beatrix.
Yes was the reply; 81 take my
'worldliness' as other people take drugs
and drains. 1t answers the same purpose.
[ go out a great deal; am seldom at
home
When Beatrix was taking her leave,
Lady Rayner said to her, with faint
smile:
'There is skeleton in every house,
Miss Lennox, and it is generally hidden;
but you have seen mine. You will not
betray 1lc?'
/ No. promised Beatrix, 81 will not
| IL married for money" said the pale,
| lovely lady, ''and have more money than
I -I,c% - II l.