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


the lilies;" her dress of what Lord Vivian
called May sunbeams, and her tiara OF
diamonds, with the white plumes, suited
her to perfection. She tried to reassure
herself, but the small jeweled hands trem-
bled and the sweet lips half Quivered as
they smiled.
Court dress suited the imperial beauty
of Beatrice Leigh as no other did. Mrs
Selwyn had presented her with mag
nificent suite Of diamonds and rubies. Her
dress was Of maize-colored velvet, and
the rich, sweeping train was no trouble to
her. One could see at glance that she
was at home and we'll at ease. The white
waving plumes added to her patriciap
beauty. She was herself well satisfied
when she saw Vivan's eyes rest admir-
ingly on her.
They stood at last in one of the ante
rooms, and there her Grace of Roxminstei
was waiting for an introduction to them.
Miss Leigh had known the duchess for
some time. To Lady Selwyn she was a
complete stranger. There had been one
or two appointments made for an intro
luction, but her grace's engagements had
prevented the keepin. Of them.
when she, Lady Violante Selwyn, stood
face to face with the Duchess of Roxmin.
ster, it was with difficulty she repressed
the cry of astonishment that rose to her
lips.
An old woman of sixty dressed like
blushing girl of eighteen-excessively de-
collete: a diamond necklace round thin,
withered neck; a diamond bracelet round
a shrunken arm; false hair, wreathed with
Jewels and plumes: false teeth cleaning
thA nnlnIP0
checks and penciled eyebrows. Lady Vio-
lante involuntarily wondered what wa'
false and what was not.
Her grace was always envious OF new
bcauties. The younger they were the
less she liked them. To Beatrice Leigh's
supcrb beauty she was accustomed. there
fore Indifferent: the spirituelle, graceful
loneliness of Lady Selwyn annoyed her.
She responded most graciousiy 10 'ns
introduction.
"You are younger than expected" she
said to Lady Violante. when was
Younger, l took the lead among blonde
beauties-a place you will occupy now, !
sunpose. There are few blonde bellies
nowadays"
1t is a place l should not care to oc'
cupy." said Lady Violante, with smile.
"A n,
habits, and all that kind of thing, sup
pose; sorry / cannot sympathize WIN
vou. l like what is called life
4, She shrugged the BARE lean shoulders.
land looked at Miss Leigh for approval
Then they passed on with the crowo'
md Lady Violante's heart beat fast.
The best remark one could make on the
subject of her presentation was, that IT
In
face burned to remember it; and the
worst of it vas, she knew that her iaii-
ufc was related to Lord Vivian with ma
licious detail.
II could not have imagined. Lady Sci
wyn, that you would have been so awk-
ward" said the duchess, when they stood
together waiting for the carriage. You
.eemed to lose your senses altogether. do
sou know you hardly replied when her
majesty made that kind remark to you.
Il was frightened" said the young girl.
II tried to remember all that had been
told. but it died out of my mind
Leaving you afraid" interrupted her
grace.
Il am not afraid" said Lady Violante.
",They would see was frightened
.Ah, yes, ma chere," interrupted the
duchess again; but women OF the "oF'o
know no such fear"
An almost passiopate cry rose to her
-ps=a WISH rn..r- s.- rSu uc7rf urfu-'-
taken to be that which she dreaded most
of ala woman of the world.
She saw by her husbands face that he
knew she had failed. 1t was darker and
more stern than she had ever seen ii be-
fore. He made no remark. She almost
wished he would have done so; but often
er than ever he wished in his heart that
Violante could be more like Beatrice
Leigh.
1T is my own fault" said Lady Vio-
lante to herself. as she walked alone
through the long, dimly lighted conserva-
tory. II knew that my world and his
were different; that l could never be all
bis wife ought to be, and l should not
have married him; it is my own fault.
(To be continued.)