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

He requested. too. that there should be no
public welcome, mo gathering OF the
clans; that only a few Of the upper ser
wants should be told Of his return, for
bis wife, he said, was timid, and unused
10 all demonstration.
"A new kind Of Lady Selwyn. said
Beatrice Leigh, with curling lips. You
have had all kinds Of heroines-brave
women, warlke women, who have held
the Castle against siege; diplomatic
women who have played the role Of en-
bassadress; women with mission, who
have been the life of the Tories. A timid
Lady Selwyn will be novelty in the
family annals"
I'VE must make the best Of il. said
Mrs. Selwyn, plantively. To tell the
truth, Beatrice, l do really begin 10 feel
nervous as the time draws near. | hope
she will not be very much amiss. VIVIAN
seems as infatuated as ever
Let us hope his infatuation may last,
said Beatrice 1T will be sorry days for
Vivian when it wears away, and he I'M
derstands the reality"
Beatrice Leigh had made her resolve:
she had whispered no vow of vengeance
TO herself; she had not ranted like ira
gedy queen; she had not. even 10 her own
self, whispered the word revenge"
None the less skillfully had she made
her plans. Nothing kills love like ridi-
Guile, and she said TO herself that under
the guise of friendly liking she would be
merciless TO Niviau's wife: she would new
er spare her: she would lay traps TO draw
OUT and expose her ignorance, her want of
savoir vivre: she had resolved 10 make
Vivian writhe again under the intilction,
while all the time she preserved the friend
lest face and the kindliest smiles.
Then we shall see what comes" she
said to herself; me will soon tire Of his
gauche village love. a girl who had moth
ing but a pretty face. Then the law is
kind, and there will be ways and means
Of getting rid of her, We're she twenty
times Lady Selwyn."
So deeply was Miss Leigh eDgrossed in
her thoughts that she did not hear the
arrival of the carriage, or anything else
until the door opened and Mrs. Selwyn
uttered a faint cry Of astOuishnent Then
Beatrice Leigh raised her eyes, and they
rested on a vision 50 radiant III youth,
and beauty. and grace, that her face grew
pale with jea lous envy as she Cazed.
Lord Vivian entered first. and he led
by the hand. as one leads a shrinking
frightened child, a beautiful girl a girl
whose movements We're soft and harmo-
NOUS. whose figure was all grace and
symmetry-even the travelling costume Of
velvet and fur could not conceal it-whose
face. in its bright, shy, dimpled beauty,
WAS wOndrous TO behold.
Lord Vivian led her proudly to his
mother
Mother" he said. in his grave. chival-
rous fashion, the happiest hour Of my
life is this in which l bring to you my
Wife
Mrs. SeIwyn's face flushed then a
voice, clear and soft as the sweetest mu-
sic. said:
My own mother has been in heaven so
long, | hardly remember her; will you let
me give you the love l should have given
: her.
And before she could answer, two ten
der arms were clasped round her neck,
sweet, warm lips touched her face, leav-
ing her at n loss what to say or do.
She had intended to he very stately: to
show Lady Selwyn that dignity was be
fore ease. but the loving touch Of those
sweet lips dsarmed her. Nature will
speak occasionally; when she does So no
one can be deaf to her voice. SO all Mrs
Selwyn's grand resolves ended IN her say
ing, You are welcome home, my daugh-
ter
Then her voice faltered, and she kissed
the sweet face with tears in her eyes.
Beatrice" said Vivian, ''let me intro
duCe You to my wife
Miss Leigh executed a stately courtesy
/ that would have done honor to Marie An
toinettc for its imperial grace. Again it
was wasted dignity. Ntoante went up TO
her softly and very shyly.
Il am SO glad to see you" she said
earnestly. II hope you will like me. Wv
ian has talked so much of YOU"
'Niolante is q true child Of nature" said
Lord Selwyn laughingly: she hopes you
will like her, Beatrice, and she is not
ashamed 10 say So
DO as she would, Miss Leigh could not
reprcss the sarcastic smile that curIed her
beautiful lips.
Lady Selwyn does me infinite honor. y
she said
Then Vivian laughed again.
What a society speech. Beatrice" he
said; you will Brighten my little wife"
Niolante looked from one to the other
with some trepidation.
wrong" she stammercd her face blush
ing crimson Truly it seems 50 natural
when one comes 70 live with fresh people,
10 ask for liking"
Natural. Yes" said Miss Leigh; that
is what amused me. This is such an arti-
fetal world"
And for the first time Lord Vivian look
ed at his wife. and wondered whether the
natural. simple manner that he had al
ways thought SO cha rminG. was, after all,
a defect.
Now" said Mrs SeIwyn. Il am sure
you must require both rest ard refresh
ment. Lady Selwyn."
The girl looked up ut her with n sudden,
half-wistful glance.
DO not call me Lady Selwyn." she said
quickly; my name is NiOlantc."
Il must Try TO remember il" said Mrs.
S"Iwyn. coldIy. 1t is not an English
namc. l think. DO not remember to have
heard il before
II IS the most musical name in the
world" interrupted Vivian Now. my
darling, You viii not have much time for
dressing. Mind, Eiolante." he whisper
/ I'd, "a recherche toilet. You must not let
Miss Leigh eclipse YOU
"A recherche toilet" thought the young
c.ri. All. then l had better wear satin
and diamonds
Sh" tried 20 remember what Miss Leigh
wore. but she had hecn too much excited
10 notice. She retained only vivid i'm
preston that the lady in question looked
hcaEtifUl and graceful.
T She tea~ed her maid, and perplexed her
self. 1t turned out after all that the
maids ideas We're better than the mis-
trosS'.
Indeed. rly lady" said the waiting
woman. of course your ladyship knows
/ best, bu- ! think white satin and dia
HondS ont Of place NJ r small family din
uer; It is not as though there was a par
". ! lived with Lady HemynC. and she
ErVc1 Vas IN full dress on such occasions
l>ualiy Njolante. Lady Selwyn. protted
~ rauIj"es hints, but now she said hur-
. ri.d'y.