The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-10-15
By Marion V H0IHs.xE@s
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)
ySysS;8s{8l3AsI1fg3Saa3.z

CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)
| Among the other guests who were
that Christmas so happy at Selwyn Cas-
| tie was Lord Baecarres. Many people
wondered he should be there at all, for
his lordship had not the best of reputa-
| ton where pretty women were concerned.
| He was nothing worse than fiirt, but
| he was firt of the very first water.
| 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 beseeching, pteous expression.
One evening dinner was over, and the
visitors had all assembled in the drawing
| room Lady Talmis was singing, and had
drawn together charmed audience. Some
of the elders were at whist, others at
chess. Lady Violante, only too happy to
see every one engaged, and to find herself
at leisure had taken up her station by the
side of a small table.
She was joined there in a 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.
II hope | am not intruding, he said.
but | remained at the other end of the
room until could bear it no longer. May
| sit here, Lady Selwyn!
- - had
her answer ready: a few bright, quick,
witty words. a slight exchange of repair
tee, and all would have ended. Niolante' s
face flushed She was at a loss what to
say.
Then my lord drew from his pocket
| book a small folded envelope.
See, Lady Niolante," he said; Il have
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.
"Thev are love verses he said, senti-
mentally; but Lady Niolante put an end
to his sentiment by tearing the envelope
in two. and throwing it away. 1t was
not perhaps very we'll bred, it was GER
tainly not polite. but it was the action of
an honest hearted girl tired Of silly com
pliments.
Lard Balecarres 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
Niolante? All. see. | am intruding. You
will be kinder to me to morrow, 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 yivian's sake. Lady Niolante.'
Beatrice said. 1T would be as we'll to re-
frain from such exhibitions of temper.
You expose your husband as we'll 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.
Tn rose Niolante and told her story.
Lord Baleca rreS was always either talk
ing nonsense or writing il, and she was
tired of it, Although Vivian srmpathized
with his wife. he was rather scandalzed
Mt the outbreak. rs Beatrice described il.
With Il look that ranked in his mind.
one of deep pity for him, Miss Leigh went
away. leaving them together.
My dearest Niolante.' he said, IF you
would but try little more-if you would
but abandon some of your d-fashioned
oId-world notious-and do as others do,
You would make me so happy
Il shall never allow any man 10 forget
that am Il married lady, or to make love
To- me-" she cried.
His face grew dark
How can Won mistake me so, VIC
lante%" he said angrily. IF any man
dared to do as You say, l would thrash
him like a dashed 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
rs this
He was veXed with her that she did not
understand the difference between this
merely fashionable nonsenscal 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
In rk tender eyes full of tears, and so the
first cloud fell between them