The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-10-08

her own beauty. that she should surely
eclipse Miss Leigh.
She was somewhat startled on entering
the drawing room at the difference be
tween herself and the two ladies waiting
there. She looked al Miss Leigh's dress.
1t was of rich, simple black lace. drawn
up around the white throat, and relieved
by few rich red rubes;" the beautiful
shoulders cleaned ike marble through
the lace; il was twice as effective a any
low dress could ever be; and II suddenly
flashed across Lady Selwyn that in choos-
ing white satin and diamonds she had
made a great mistake.
The consciousness that she mad made
q mistake caused Niolante to lose much OF
! the grace that was natural to her.
will they notice twill even the ser
wants laugh she thought TO herself.
Mrs Selwyn looked in calm disapproval
/ Of the gorgeous toilet.
Il am afraid you will be disappointed,
! Lady Sclwyn." she said. You evidently
/ expect visitors. and by Eivian's wish we
are quite alone
I The fair young face flushed so deeply
! that Mrs. Selwyn could not pursue the
/ subject. She did not understand why.
/ but she saw that her daughterin-law was
/ i'll at ease. Nor did Niolante feel much
I more comforted when Vivian entered the
! room. and opened his eyes in wonder at
/ her dazzling splendor, then glanced quick
! ~ at the quiet, graceful figure of Miss
! Leigh.
/ There was a smile on the naughty. beau
| tifu lips Of that young lady, that made
the young wife. she scarce knew why,
! uncomfortabe
Dinner is served said the butler, and
! then they went TO the dining room. Lady
| Niolante detesting the rustliug flow of her
! rich white satin as she swept along.
The dining room was a superb apart
ment-large, lofty, brilliantly lighted; the
/ huge sideb0ards were one blaze of gold
/ and silver plate; the table was magnii-
! Gently set out: servants in livery were all
/ in attendance. The young girl. to whom
I this was all new and strange, felt her
( heart sink within her. and lonced for the
/ familiar aspect Of home.
There was a chair at the head Of the
table and one at the foot For a moment.
there was some little embarrassment, then
. Mrs Selwyn said:
Lady Violante, will you take your
place.
! It was no wonder that, dazzled by the
unusual splendor, she shrank back. and
said timidly:
"Oh, no; pray not now. Indeed, would
rather not"
Again that quiet smile on Miss Leigh 5
face. and Vivian looked at his wife with
slight expression of Impotence.
Pray be seated, Niolantc," he s ID; "of
course my mother would not dream of
taking your place.
! Already nervous with the conviction
Of the mistake she had made over her
dress; confused. and afraid she had erred
still more by her hesitation in accepting
her rghtful place. the young girl sat
! down. and the dinner began.
II would have been kinder under the
circumstances to have allowed her IN
have her own way, and to have sat quiet
! " by. until the routine became familiar
! 10 her. What should she know. poor
! child. Of French dishes. of rare wines. of
entrees: She, who had been accustomed
TO the little dining parlor at home and the
! attendance of one maid servant She
! who had herself superintendent the cook
| ing of the homely little dinners that pleas
| ed her father best.
! She grew awkward and confused. She
! felt that she was not filing her place with
/ the dignity suited to Lady S,elwyn. Her
/ husband noticed it. and tried by kindly
! words and kindly smiles to put her more
| at her ease. Yet when he saw Miss
Leigh'S quiet eyes scrutinizing her, he felt
his own face grow warm. and be half
/ wished ''Niolante had been more formed =
| There was another ordeal before her
The ladies withdrew. and she dreaded the
prospect of an hours tete-a-tete with the
| stately mother-in-law and the beautiful
naughty lady. whose dark. bright eyes
| seemed to read the secrets of al her little
! fears.
She tried in her simple way TO talk to
them. Mrs Selwyn was not unkind-she
was too ladylize and well-bred TO make
the young girl feel the difference between
them; but it was not quite in human ma
. ture to get up all AZ once an affection for
( the one who had thwarted every plan and
wish and hope of her life.
| NiOlante felt more and more humbled
Who was she, to take her place among
! such brilliant and accomplished ladies'
How was she To hold her own? She felt
! more like an ignorant. unframed school
| girl, than as the mistress OF that gor-
goous home SHOULD feel. 1t was a relief TO
her when the evening ended.
You made a little mistake tonight
about the satin and diamonds, did you not
my darling:' asked Vivian, when they
/ were alone.
She looked UP at him with glisteDinc
eyes. "oh, Vivian. | was so ashamed and
So distressed" she cried. What would
they think OF me? But you told me re-
/ Cherche toilet
Recherche does not always mean de-
collet". or yet fine" he replied; sit means
| what Miss Leigh's dress was-distin-
guished graceful and 50 contrived as to
look beautiful without attracting attcn-
/ ton"
When shall learn all these thingSE
she said despairingly. "oh, Vivian, it is
/ hard TO be 4 fine lady