Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-11-25
XIX.

trice WITH Sucn awe. How was she TO
meet ~hcr?-what was she to say?-was
iier disguise complete?
She went up to her W room before she
entered the school next morning and took
IL keen. critical survey of her pale face.
She was woman enough to feel pleased
chat such fair. tranquil beauty still lin
.scred there. One or two golden hairs had
strayed from underneath the black front
and tho widows cap; she hastily cut them
off. No: 1t was impossible, she thought,
that anyone could recognize her. All that
remained Of the fair and lovely Lady Vio-
lante was the pathetic beauty of the large
viole. eyes; even those were disguised by
the ,larkered brows.
III Dr. Hearne did not know me, 1
ncsd not fear Beatrice" she thought; ''he
liked and she hated me-iiking is quicker
than haze"
She went into the school room then.
Great patches OF golden sunshine lay
athwart the white floor; the long windows
werc open, and the perfumed air came in
swcrt and odo.ous gusts. The children
wcre all Observation-Disclosures girls, with
nuiei; eyes and ni,nble fingers. A certain
ua,neiess rcstlcssress went through them
all. it va known that Lady Se!wyn was
coming to the school that day.
Then there vas Il stir among the chill
dren. Il murmur Of excitement; and one
girl older than the rest came up to her,
dropping a courtesy.
III you please. ma'am," she said, "hcre
is my Lady Sclwyn."
Then n tall, stately lady, clad in sweep
ing robes Of silk and velvet, stood before
lier-a lady whose proud, regal beauty
dazz.cd those who gazcd upon her. The
],aughty lips wore a pleased smile; the
dark, llStrous eyes n calm. satisfied cx-
preston. She swept. with the carriage Of
II queen, through the garden into the
bright, sunshiny room.
Il hope I have not interrupted you,"
said Lady Beatrice to Mrs. Rivers. 81
AN an early visitor this morning. l have
been driving to the railway station, and
haze called OF my return"
There was no reply. Mrs. Rivers made
u low bow. and Lady Beatrice continues:
Il vii! just look round among the chill
.lrsn, Mrs. Rivers, and then, il you please,
j will see You in the cottage"
Nay, no. one word to have saved her
whole lie could she have uttered. She
tried. but her parclied lips seemed glued
together. My lady was overcome, and
she most dcvoutly believed that it was
tlie effect of her own august presence, a
conviction that made her unusually gra-
cious and n;fable.
My lady swept down the room, her
costly silk and velvet trailing after her.
Mrs. Rivers followed her, still with silent
lips and tightly clinchcd hands. Through
1ae garden. where the crimson leaves lay
on the broad path. to the little cottage,
where the woodbines hung in full flower.
She entered first. and the white-faced
woman behind her gathered all her
strength together.
My lady seated herself on the little
couch. the gray silk and rich velvet fol-
lowing around her.
BE seated, Mrs. Rivers" she said.
you do not look strong. I hope you are
well, and like your ncw home. You are
Il widow, I believc"' said Lady Beatrice,
looking at the close cap.
Il have lost my husband and my son."
WAS the quiet reply; by this time the vio-
let eyes were raised calmly and search
ingly to the lady's face.
Dear me-" was the conventional reply;
"ilow very sad. You are glad, perhaps,
nf a quiet life after a great sorrow?" said
my lady. after Il short pause.
My SORROW has been and is a very
heavy one" replied the quiet voice.
Arc o u stranger in this part of the
country" asked Lady Beatrice.
II have been living for some few years
at S%licpton." said Mrs. Rivers.
II hope you will make yourself happy.
] shall send you fruit and flowers from,
the Hall; l have been in the habit of do.
ing so. Are You fond OF reading?"
1T is my only PLEASURE" said the gov.
crncss: II have no other"
I'VE have so many books at the Hail.
continued Lady Beatrice: you can have
what you will from the library. I sen,
down IL few: have you looked over then
YETI"
II nave not had timc." said Mrs. Rivers
going to the little bookcase. "These arc
very nice and useful. l thank your lady.
ship very much for the kind thought"
The voice was gentle enough, the words
we're humble, yet Lady Beatrice though,
to herself:
How stiff and unmoved she is"
Suddenly MIS-. Rivers saw the volume
OF Wordsworth: in one instant she recog
uized it. She remembered the very after.
moor when Lord Selwyn had given it tt
NEr. NuuC ulu II mere. Lazy beatrice
saw 1t i'll her hands.
do you like Wordsworth" she asked
condescendingly.
But Mrs. Rivers did not appear to hav,
heard the question. She had opened tn,
book, and was looking at the title page.
ITO my dearest Violante; from her de
voted husband, Vivian Sclwyn."
Heaven be merciful that the sight o
the handwriting and the words did no
slay her.
Lady Beatrice glanced at it.
mo" she replied. carclessly and I'm
truthfully, Lord Sclwyn sent it with til,
others."
Mrs. Rivers repressed the cry Of IN
suish that rose to her lips. Did he Low.
llcr memory so little that he gave to hi
dependents the gifts that had been hers
"Come for books when you want more
said Lady Beatrice. II have some MOTTO,
Of founding a library for the use of tn
villagers; il 80. Mrs. Rivers. 1 shall b.
pleased to put it under your care. Re
member, at any time and in any diff
Guilty. you must apply to me-"