Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-11-18
CHAPTER XVIII.

sinrG Lord Selwyn returned, dressed III
deep mourning, bringing with him his
snothcrlcss child. Hc had sorrowed as one
who has no hope. His face had altered;
1t had grown grave with Il gravity and
sadness that never died away.
The only comfort he ever enjoyed was
n III his son Rupcrt-Rupcrt who had
S!s mothers eyes and golden hair. Mrs.
isclwyn and Beatrice Leigh spent the
greater part of their time with him, and
Beatrice devoted herself to his boy. To
SAY that her love for this handsome. mel
.~a,cloly master of Selwyn Castle increas-
cd every day is to speak mildly. He vas
free now, and she might love him as she
lwoill. But he never seemed to know
anything about it. He was kind to her,
as liz had always been: affectionate as
though he were her brother; attentive and
'chiyalrons, as he had ever been. But
there was no love.
An accident brought about that which
atterward happencd-his marriage with
Miss Leigh.
Why are you looking so grave, moth
G?" asked Lord Vivian of Mrs. Selwyn
ore evening.
She was sitting alone in the drawing
room. with an expression of deep thought
and anxiety on her placid, comely face.
II I'M thinking OF Beatrice" she re-
pied: II am not happy over her. l am
her guardian, yet l cannot help thinking
that l have somehow failed in my trust"
"Whyy' he asked.
Il do not know" she replied. II nm
annoyed that she has refused Lord Eyr-
Ion: there is not n truer, better man in
England. He is very wealthy. and Bea-
t!ice would have made an admirable mis-
tirss for Eyrton Court. She has refused
him. and he is very unhappy"
why did she do It'll" he asked.
She says she does not love him." re-
piled Mrs. Selwyn, "and that she will only
marry II man she does love-"
Il married for love-" said Lord Vivian,
musingly. as his mother looked quickly
into his face, fearing she had panied him.
"Hut why need you reproach yourself,
mother? You cannot force Beatrice eth
CT TO love or to marry"
II fear l have been remiss," said Mrs.
Sclwyn. II 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 forcseen it,"
who is lie, mothcrY' asked Lord Wv
ian. wondering who had touched the heart
Of that brilliant, beautiful girl.
II cannot answer the question:" said
Mrs. Sc,wyn; and there was something
50 significant in the tone of her voice that
her son looked up ut her in wondering
anaac.
Like lightning the thought flashed over
him. Could it be himself? Was it posi-
bic that Beatrice had loved him ali these
vcnrs-that she had refused such excellent
offers for his sake? He was but Il NOR
tai man, and his vanity was tiattered ut
the thought.
Mother" he said, gently, 'you should
havc 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.
"lDo not be angry with me, Vivian. I be-
licvc she has loved and cared for you all
her lifc.'
Il never dreamed Of such Il 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 n mistress was wanted for
Eclwyn Castle, and IL mother for his young
heir. He was lattered to think that she
loved him. lit would make her happy, it
MouIu uisthe uIS uiOlHcl llUllS us lOT ulLl-
sclf-Lord Vivian shrugged his shoulders
happiness and sorrow were much alike
tn him.
Two or three days afterward Lord Sci.
wyu asked Miss Leigh if she could spare
him a few minutes, he had something i'm
p%ortant to say, and she who had long
ceased to hope that the desire of her heart
would be given to her, thought it was
something about Rupert, or the domestic
affairs of the household, and told him she
was going down TO the lodge, and he Nigh;
walk with her.
So they G together down the fresh,
dcwy Gladcs Of the park; there was a
tender green OF the young larch buds,
and pink May shonc bright on the hedges,
and then Lord Sclwyn. without any show
OF passion or great affection, asked Bea-
tricc 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 Sclwyn ~half-wondercd if
his mother had been mistaken.
They were married very quietly; and
IL Lady Beatrice Selwyn, remembering
what she had called Lord Vivian's lin
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, by
scorn and insult. by continual petty per-
sccutions, by woman's wit and woman's
malice. from home-shc reigned in her
nwn pace. 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 a jealous hatred that exceeded,
III possible. the envious dislike she had
for his beautiful but haplcss mother.
One sunny afternoon in June Lady Bea-
tricc Sciwyn. tired and %languid, has or
dercd the blinds to be lowered. and the
mellow light that fills the room is soft
aud rose colored.
Too tired to read. too langnid to think,
Lady Beatrice lies Upon the couch, wish.
ing the heat Of the day were over.
And while the summer heat broods 81
lently over the white lilies, the rector OF