Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-11-30
By Marion v Hollis XEO
CHAPTER III.
& sI;S

Selwyn Castle crow S the summit of a
tall hill, whose sides, covered with trees
and flowers, slope dorn to the sea. No
park surrounds it. but the pleasure
grounds are extensi1e and magnificent.
There is, too, a deey clear lake of vast
extent, bordered by rooping trees whose
branches touch the water. Though thera
is no park, the ThorIleigh woods are close
and the River Thorle runs at the foot of
the hill.
On this morning, fair one in June. the
windows of the breakfast room at the
Castle were thrown wide open; the wind
came in, in great perfumed gusts: the
flowers outside seemed as though they
bowed their heads in greeting; lilies and
roses were at their fairest: the sunbeams
swept through the flower shaded windows,
and they fell upon a quiet, pretty scene
that spoke of home. affiuence and ele-
gance.
They fell first upon the proud, imperi-
Gus face Of an elderly lady, the mother of
the earl, the Honorable Mrs. Gerald Sci
wyn, a lady who sits calm and erect.
There is not bend in her figure, not a
wrinkle in her calm, patrician face; one
can see that she is proud to a fault, scru-
puious, ambitious, worldly and fond of
life
The sunbeams fall on something else
on the proud, high-bred face of a young
girl. who is arranging some lilies so as to
form a bouquet-on beautiful oval face,
with short upper lip and fresh, ripe
under one, with clear, calm, proud eyes,
and straight brows-a girl with a long,
graceful, white throat and small white
hands, with every mark of race about her
"A thorough patrician; no smiling, dim
pied beauty, full of wild, fresh impulse,
such as Violante Temple. A court beau
ty, this-an aristocrat, with all the haugh-
ty loveliness and dignity of a queen. And
this young lady, who moves with such
calm, serene, proud grace, is called Bea-
trice Leigh. She is the niece of Mrs. Sell
wyn, and cousin of Lord Vivian.
Next to her own son, Mrs. Selwyn loved
Beatrice Leigh better than any one else
In the world, and from the first moment
the child entered her house, she had one
wish, and it was that her proud, beauti-
full niece should marry her son.
As children, Vivian and Beatrice spent
much of their time together. When he
finally went to Oxford, and then into the
army, they were separated, Vivian re-
tanning for his beautiful little playfellow
Q warm. kindly. brotherly affection. She,
led BY his mothers continual praises of
him, and constant reiteration of her
wishes, gradually came to love the brave
young captain better than all the world
besides.
She looks very fair and serene, as the
sunbeams kiss the beautiful face and the
white dress; her hair, dark and shining
like the wing of a rare bird, is braided
round her beautiful head, after the fash
ion of a Grecian statue, leaving the two
pretty, pearly ears to be seen.
"Letters! cried Beatrice, as the foot
man entered. Il wonder if Vivian has
written; if he is still lingering at that
wonderful place-what is it-Woodeaves,
In Leicestershire? What possible attrac-
ton can he find there? All! this is his
handwriting, 1 am sure"
From a number of envelopes she select
ed the one having his writing upon it.
Mrs. Selwyn smiled as she did SO.
How quickly you have found out, Bea-
tricer' she cried. Now, what does he
say"
She read the letter hastily.
He is coming tonight" she went on;
"and, Beatrice, he says he has a surprise
for US. What can it be?
"a surprisew she cried, sudden CLEAN
Of light making her face still more love
ly; perhaps he has brought you some
thing, auntie."
But Mrs. Selwyn shook her head.
1T do not fancy that is it," she replied.
81 fancy, Beatrice, it is something about
himself. What has he been staying at
this place for? Listen to what he says:
Il hope to be with you on Tuesday night;
prepare yourself, dear mother, for q sur
prise that will, l hope, be pleasant one.'
What can this surprise be, Beatricew con-
tinued Mrs. Selwyn; "he has done some
thing that he thinks will please me, rely
on it,
Beatrice had regained all her calm.
1--WE shall know tonight, aunt" she
said quietly; 'and the day is too warn
Tor conjectures."