Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-12-14
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)


Among the other guests who were
that Christmas so happy ut Selwyn Cas-
lie was Lord Balecarres. Many people
wondered he should be there at all, for
mis- lordship had not the best of reputa
ton where pretty women were concerned.
lie was nothing worse than a fiirt. but
he was flirt of the very first wafer.
Christmas found my lord at Selwyn Cas-
tie, and the charm that kept him there
was the sweet, simple, naive beauty Of
Lady Niolante.
He gloried in paying her homage. No
sight on earth was so pleasant to him as
TO watch the rich crimson flushing her
face, to watch the beautiful bushes
mantling to the very edge of the golden
hair, to watch the eyes that would fam
have flashed indignation, but took in the
end a beseeching. piteous expression.
One evening. dinner WIS over. and the
visitors had all assembled in the drawing
room. Lady Talmis was singing. and had
irawn together a charmed audience. Some
of the elders were at whist, others Mt
chess. Lady Violante, only too happy -
see every one engaged, and to find herself
1T leisure had taken up her station Icy the
side of a small table.
She was joined there in few minutes
by Beatrice Leigh, who wished to ar
range about some dancing. Before they
had been talking two minutes Lord Bale
cares Joined them.
"I hope 1 am not intruding," he said.
"but 1 remained Mt the other end of the
room until / could bear it no longer. May
sit here, Lady Selwyn"
A woman of the world would have had
her answer ready; few bright. quick
witty words, a slight exchange OF repar-
zee, and all would have ended. Niolante )
face flushed. She was at a loss what TO
say.
Then my lord drew from his pocket
book a small folded envelope.
'See, Lady Violante,' he said: Il nave
copied these verses for you"
She would have liked best not to notice
It, but he held up the paper, and she was
compelled TO take it.
They are love verses" he said. senti-
mentally; but Lady Violante put an end
to his sentiment by tearing the envelope
in two, and throwing it away. 1t was
not perhaps very well bred. it was GER
tainly not polite, but it was the action OF
All honest-hearted girl tired Of silly COM
pliments.
Lard BaIecar-es looked up suddenly,
with a CLEAN of animation on his hand
some. inane face.
THAT is too cruel" he said. What
have my poor little verses done. Lady
Violante? All! see, am intruding. You
will be kinder to me tomorrow. per-
haps."
He turned away, and Beatrice, with
naughty, cold face and curling lips looked
down on the flushed features of the young
girl.
For Vivian's sake, Lady Violante.
Beatrice said, 'it would be as well to re-
frain from such exhibitions Of temper.
You expose your husband well as your
self to ridicule."
What is it" asked Vivian, who had
joined them. unseen, and was looking In
amazement from one TO the other.
In rose Violante and told her story.
Lord Balecarres was always either talk
ing nonsense or writing it, and she was
tired of it. Although Vivian sympathized
with his wife, he was rather scandalized
at the outbreak, as Beatrice described II.
With look that ranked in his mind,
one of deep pity for him, Miss Leigh went
away, leaving them together.
MY dearest Nioante,' he said. IF you
would but try little more-if you would
but abandon some Of your oldfashioned.
old-world notions-and do as others do.
you would make me so happy.
II shall never allow any man to forget
that am a married lady. or to make love
to mer' she cried.
His face grew dark.
How can you mistake me so. Vic.
lante!" he said angrily. IF any man
dared to do as you say, l would thrash
him like a lashed hound. You mistake.
Lord Balecarres is, in plain English, a
fool Pray pardon the word. Women of
the world know how to keep such men
in their place, without any such exhibition
as this
He was vexed with her that she did not
understand the difference between this
merely fashionable nonsensical trifing
and reality.
She was angry with him, thinking that
he was Indifferent on a subject on which
she felt strongly. She turned away, the
dark tender eyes full of tears, and SO the
first cloud fell between them.
CHAPTER VIII.
The bells of Thornleigh Church pealed
out merrily-their sweet chime seemed to
cheer and gladden. the air; they rang out
quaint old melodies, they clashed as
though in triumph, they made merry, they
dropped down sweet music, they repeated
over and over again the self-same glorious
harmony, and all because the heir of Sci
wyn was born
1t was a bright May morning, the sun
shining on land and sea, the birds all
singing of their love for each other, the
flowers all blooming, the chestnuts bud
ding, the hawthorn in full perfume; all