Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-11-30

eating his dinner.
But when dinner was over, and they
had returned to the drawing room, he did
not seem quite so much at his ease. Bea-
trice drew an easy chair to the open win-
dow. and looked out at the blooming flow
~ers.
Mrs. Selwyn reclined upon a couch near
her, and Vivian sat down upon little low
stool at his mothers feet. She laid her
hand caressingly on the dark hair.
And now, VIVIAN" she said, what is
th> surpriseT'
Again his face flushed.
"That is the very thing l was waiting to
speak Of" he replied. Il hope you will be
pleased to listen to my story-pleased AZ
l am to tell it.
Il am in love at last" he continued.
"All my life long l have wondered what
this strange passion men call love was
like. 1 used to believe it would pass me
by, and 1 should never know, but when
I went down to poor Berties home, l met
my fate"
Not a stir, not a word from Beatrice
Leigh. Mrs. Selwyn moved uneasily.
Il hope what you call your fate is wor-
thy of you," she said. Remember, you
are head Of an ancient and glorious race
head of a grand old family that has never
known anything save honor. There is
no duchess in England who would not
proudly give you daughter"
1T is no duchess daughter that have
learned to love-" he replied with smile.
"Oh, mother, you must not be disappoint-
ed. You must not damp my happiness.
love Violante Temple, and have asked her
to be my wife"
"a lawyers daughterr' cried Mrs. Sell
wyn; "a simple country girl! oh, Vivian,
what an end to all my dreams and plans
for your
He laughed; bowling his handsome,
stately head down to her.
Now, mother" he cried, you are to
kiss me and wish me joy"
II cannot" she cried. 81 cannot, Wv
ian. 1 am most bitterly disappointed to
think, when you might have chosen from
the fairest and nobiest in the land, you
have thrown yourself away so cruelty"
Nay" he said, with imperturbable good
humor, do not say so. You cannot judge
you have not seen my love-"
Il know what country lawyers and their
daughters are like, as rule" she replied;
land. Vivian, nm in desnair
There was an awkward silence which
lasted some minutes.
us it irrevocable" asked Mrs. Selwyn.
"Have you really pledged your word?'
I'm all honor" he replied. II have even
asked that my marriage may take place In
September"
Mrs. Selwyn positively groaned.
1T is useless for me to interfere" she
said. II cannot forbid it. You are your
own master. 1t would be nonsense for
me to say that shall not allow it; you
Il il-o. huf I
stern dislike and disapproval. 1t is an al
lance quite unworthy of you, and you
might have aspired no matter how high"
Beatrice" he said, help me to con-
vince my mother. You are young and
beautiful, and love will come to you some
day, as it has come to me. Tell her-help
me to make her believe that love is the
only thing for which q man should ever
marry. Help her to make her like my
love"
There was a world Of dreary pain in the
dark eyes raised to his, q world of anguish
and untold love.
II should not know what to say" she
replied in a strange voice unlike her own.
And then Lord Vivian Selwyn Of Sell
wyn Castle stood embarrassed and uncer-
tain what to do. He had some misgivings
rs he journeyed homeward that his moth
er would not think he had done anything
TO add to the family renown. All the La
dies Selwyn had been women Of high
birth; he was the first to break the rule
Well" said Mrs. Selwyn, with a re-
signed smile, lit is bad news-worse could
pot have come to me; but if it be irrevoca-
ble, | must make the best Of it. 1 would
yar rather you had chosen a wife from
your own class. l regret most deeply the
thoice you have made. Yet promise you,
having said this, l will say no more.
will do my best to like your wife. Vivian,
and to make her as happy as can"
And with these cold words, the master
of Selwyn Castle was forced to be con-
tent. Long after he slept that night, the
two ladies, aunt and niece, sat up talking
ip low tones of what he had done, and
Mrs. Selwyn concluded with the words:
1T will not end happily, fearr'