The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-10-22
By Marion KHolLs.v1EG

naughty ana somewhat refractory cnllQ,
for he seemed most unwilling to comply
with her wishes.
Where was he, Beatrice" asked Lord
Vivian, as she came nearer.
Il will tell you myself, papa" cried the
young heir of Selwyn.
You have been lost for more than two
hours, Rupert" aid Lord Vivian gravely;
where have you been?'
But the child could not answer, for
Layd Violante had seized him in her arms.
She forgot all the world but her boy. She
only saw him, and nothing besides. She
covered his face with kisses, she murmur-
ed sweet words over him, such as only
mothers lips can frame. Lord Vivian
stood by, wondering at this marvellous
gift of mother love; and Beatrice Leigh
looked on with a sneer on her peerless
face
Then Lady Violante sat down on the
garden chair, and the child stood by her
knee. For the first time she noticed his
face bruised and one eye swollen and dis
colored.
Where have you been, Rupert" she
asked gravely.
Il know you will be very cross, nam
ma, said the little fellow. Il have been
70 LuigTs cottage
After l had forbidden you to go
there" said his mother sadly.
Yes" he replied, and the brave little
face flushed holly Il know it was wrong,
but Luigi struck me yesterday, and l ran
away to fight him to-day"
ITO fight she cried in Mortified &C
cents; ito fight Then the tender moth
er's heart conquered, the sweet eyes filed
with tears, the sweet lips trembled, the
tender arms clasped him so tightly. "Oh,
Rupert she said. how was it,
Il will tell you, mamma, said the
child. DO not cry; indeed, he did not
hurt me! l took care of that! But yes
terday, he, Luigi said all English boys
were towards, and he struck me; so, to-
day, / went down to his house and asked
him TO fight. I beat him, though he is the
oldest. | fought him for honor, you know,
mamma
But she was looking at him with sweet.
frightened eyes.
~ on must not fight, Rupert" abe cried
eagerly; never, never again. II is wick
ed, my boy, wicked and wrong. Say you
will never fight again.
Il cannot. mamma replied the child.
Suppose. yon know, a boy strikes me,
what am l to do then?''
In a voice sweeter than the cooling of
4 ring-dove. she told him those simple.
glorious words. spoken by lips divine,
words that teach patience under injuries,
forgiveness under wrong.
IF n boy strikes me- said the child.
lam | not to give it him back again,
mammal
No" she replied eagerly; you must
show patience
But interrupted the boy, ''he would
think | was coward. mamma"
And she, in her sweet timidity. was
startled at this. She hardly knew what
to answer She felt like a woman: no
already reasoned like a man.
Then Lord Vivian came toward them
and Beatrice Leigh took the child's hand
Nay, Niolante," said her husband
that is false teaching. You must train
my boy TO be brave; to be able not only
TO take his own part, but to defend the
weak and the helpless, to fight for those
who cannot fight for themselves"
y new view of the subject, which seem
ed to relieve little Rupert wondnrful)v
He raised his earnest eyes. 50 like his
mothers. to Lord Niv;an's face.
1 men YOU 40 itt lllHk USntlng wrong.
papa he asked anxiously.
Not if il be in a good cause. my son."
was the somewhat puzzing reply.
Then spoke Beatrice.
"A Il the men of your race. Rupert, have
been brave" she said. You must not
be the first coward in the family
But il mamma cries?' said the boy.
And the next moment his fair little head
was hidden on her breast.
Come with me, Rupert" said Lord
Vivian. and will explain to YOU
Father and son walked away together
Now was the time for Miss Leigh to plant
a sharp dagger in the gentle heart of her
unconscious rival
He is a splendid little fellow" she said.
1T would be a thousand pities to make
miiksop of him
Il only want him to be good" Vio-
lante replied piteously; "indeed, Beatrice,
that is all
IF Lord Vivian taxes my advice" said
Miss Leigh, he will send the boy to
good English school. He will be trained
ike man there"
And as she walked away, Lady Nio-
lantc looked after her with despairins
eyes.