The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-11-12
CHAPTER XVII,

VINO mas no nope. Ills lace udu ditc1ou'
it had grown grave with a gravity and
sadness that never died away.
The only comfort he ever enjoyed was
with his son Rupert-Ruperr who had
his mothers eyes and golden hair. Mrs.
Selwyn and Beatrice Leigh spent the
greater part OF their time with him, and
Beatrice devoted herself to his boy. 10
say that her love for this handsome, mel
ancholy master Of Selwyn Castle increas-
ed every day is to speak mildly. he was
free now, and she might love him as she
would. But he never seemed to know
anything about it. He was kind to her,
as he had always been; affectionate as
though he were her brother; attentive and
chivalrous, as he had ever been. But
there was no love.
An accident brought about that which
afterward happened-his marriage with
Miss Leigh.
why are you looking so grave. moth
err asked Lord Vivian of Mrs. Seiwyn
one evening
She was sitting alone in the drawing
room, with an expression of deep thought
and anxiety on her placid. comely face.
Il am thinking of Beatrice" she re-
her guardian, yet l cannot help thinking
that l have somehow failed in my trust"
Why" he asked.
Il do not know" she replied. L am
annoyed that she hiss refused Lord Eyr-
ton; there is not truer, better man IN
England. He is very wealthy, and Bea-
trice would have made an admirable mis-
tress for Eyrton Court. She has refused
him. and he IS very unhappy.
Why did she do it, he asked.
She says she does not love him. re-
Piled Mrs. Selwyn. ''and that she will only
marry a man she does love"
Il married for love-" said Lord Vivian.
musingy, as his mother looked quickly
into his face, fearing she had panied him.
But why need you reproach yourself,
mother: You cannot force Beatrice eth
err to love or TO marry.
Il fear | have been remiss" said Mrs
Selwyn. Il believe Beatrice does love
some one, and has loved him for years.
| am afraid she will never care for any
one else and l ought to have foreseen it"
WHO is he. mother| asked Lord Wv
ian, wondering who had touched the heart
of that brilliant. beautiful girl.
Il cannot answer the question: said
Mrs. Selwyn; and there was something
so significant in the tone of her voice that
her son looked up at her in wondering
amaze.
Like lightning the thought flashed over
him. Could it be himself: Was it posi-
bic that Beatrice had loved him all these
years-that she had refused such excellent
offers for his sake? He was but NOR
tai man, and his vanity was fattered at
the thought.
Mother" he said, gently. you should
have been less or more explicit. Tell me
truly. do you mean that Beatrice cares
for me in that kind of way-you know"
Il should not have spoken she said.
DO not be angry with me, Vivian. l be-
lieve she has loved and cared for you MI
her life"
Il never dreamed of such a thing" he
said simply. and the conversation ended.
But he thought again and again of his
mothers words. Beatrice loved him, and
he thought to himself that he might just
as we'll make her happy as not. Every
one was telling him that he ought to mar
ry again, that q mistress was wanted for
Selwyn Castle. and mother for his young
heir. He was fattered to think that she
loved him. 1t would make her happy, it
would make his mother happy; as for him
self-Lor Vivian shrugged his shoulders
-happness and 50 -row were much alike
TO him.
Two or three days afterward Lord Sci
wyn asked Miss Leigh if she could spare
him a few minutes, he had something inn
portant to say and she who had long
ceased to hope that the desire of her heart
would be given to her, thought il was
something about Rupert, or the domestic
affairs Of the household. and told him she
was gong down to the lodge, and he might
walk with her.
SO they went together down the fresh
dewy glades of the park; there was a
tender green on the young larch buds
and pink May shone bright on the hedges
and then Lord Selwyn. without any show
of passion or great affection. asked Bea-
trice Leigh if she would be his wife.
There was one flash of startled JOY in
her face. one CLEAN Of love that for a
moment made her beauty almost divine.
then she answered quietly as he had
asked. and Lord Selwyn half-wondered if
his mother had been mistaken.
They were married very quietly: and
if Lady Beatrice Selwyn. remembering
what she had called Lord Eivians In
fatuation' FOR the young wife. felt any
disappointment that he showed no infat-
uation for her. she made no sign. She had
secured her hearts desire: she had driven
the fair. loving young wife, her rival, bs
scorn I'd insult, by continual petty per
secutions by woman's Wit and woman's
malice from home-she reigned In her
own p,sce. and she was content.
The only thorn in her crown was that
Niolante'S son must one day be lord Of
Sclwyn Castle, and she began to hate the
child with jealous hatred that exceeded.
Il possible the envious dislike she had
for his beautiful but hapless mother.
One sunny afternoon in June Lady Bea-
trice Selwyn. tired and languid. has or
dpred the blinds to be lowered. and the
mellow light that fills the room is soft
| and rose colored.
Too tired TO read. too languid to think.
Lady Beatrice lies upon the couch. wish
ing the heat of the day were over.
And while the summer heat broods 81
lcntly over the white lilies. the rector Of
! Thorneigh. Or. Hearne, walked through
the green park and pleasure grounds of
trci ghton to seek Lord Srlvyn He
| found the master of the Hall at home
/ tired. Ike his lady. by the intense warmth.
She. like her husband. reproached him
! that he- had walked through the park on
/ his warm june day; and 10 her also DR..
/ Htarne answered, with courteous salu-
/ tation. that his business could not wait
/ the weather.
What is it," asked my lady. with a
! ianSuid smile: and on the words that an
| >wered her turned the current Of her life.
! Mrs. Browne. the schoolnistress OF
! ThoTnleigh. has this morning received q
! summons 10 go to her brother. who is dan
| --erousIy i'll at Newcastle. and whether
| he RECEIVERS or not she will not return 10
/ her duties at Thornleigh.
| Lord Vivian looked slightly interested
| my lady slightly bored.
! is that the important business that
/ has brought Or. Hearne ou- in the noon
/ tide heat she asked indiferently; and
| he replied that it was so.
| Not one Of the three had the faintest,