Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-12-21

thinking TO herselr that she had Deen
guilty of something unconventional.
EYES," said the countess, with silvery
laugh, 1.-The English are a wonderful peo-
pie! You are beautiful, young, beloved.
rich: there is no fair gift of earth or heav-
IN that is not yours. Your husband is
adorable. your child perfection. you can
I've no shadow of care; yet, as watched
you standing there. no Niobe could have
looked more sad. You, the happiest wom-
an in the world. are no sooner left alone
.lian you assume an attitude of desolation.
Verify n wonderful people, SO given to ev-
rrything triste. What were you thinking
IF as you bent over that superb giadioius,
Lady Selwyn"
.'Of nv home," WAS the reply. "ln my
mind then there was a picture OF green
field close to my fathers house; com
mon green field, l suppose. to others; To
me the very light of heaven shines upon
it,
"You are a poetess," said the countess,
rayly. do not deny it! How poetry
hourshes among English fogs l cannot
ma CINE. Do you know what have come
to see you about? Sit down here, Lady
Selwyn, and listen"
They sat down together under the tall
syringa trees. the orange blossoms ana
myrtle leaves falling at their feet: two I"
the fairest women that ever met, eve'
in that fair cline.
.It seems" said the countess, n smli'
ripping over Aer lovely face, that YOU
Lady Selwyn, Miss Leigh and myself are
the three prettiest women in Florence
heard yesterday that Prince Cesare called
us the Three Graces.' My idea. the mat
ter on which l came to speak to you. Is
| this-could we not get up some charades.
or tableaux vivants. in which we could
| all three appear? i have mentioned 1t to
some people. and they are charmed with
the idea"
| Il do not know; am not clever, re-
Piled Lady Selwyn. and the wistful look
deepened on her fair face.
"You need never fear. You frighten
| yourself without cause. Promise me to
| Join our tableaus. l will bring you
through safely. You have but to look
pretty, and that will come natural to you.
Lord Selwyn would be SO pleased"
She had touched the right chord at last.
The hardest heart might have been soft
ened at the wistful pleading Of Lady Sci
wyn's face.
DO you really think" she said. that
might do wenT'
II am sure Give me your promise that
you will shake Of that foolish timidity
and shine as you were meant to do; leave
the rest to me- We can meet at my
house this evening to discuss and select
the scenes that strike Us most. We must
find one, though, In which we can all ap-
pear together. Prince Cesare likes Miss
Leigh, 1 think"
"Does heY" asked Lady Selwyn. ''She
is very beautiful and very gifted. She
seems to know everything by instinct. She
always does the right thing at the right
time. and says the very words she should
say when they ought to be said"
You are very generous" cried Coun
tess Sitani, opening her lovely eyes
Now. il were you, should be horribly
Jealous of Miss Leigh
"WhyY asked Lady violante. calmly
but her heart beat a. 1t had never dort
before.
II cannot g}i..s tel VIII. rpIieda- piiea- Il 4;
countess, With shrus Of the prett,
shoulders; "only that she seems 90 Otter
to take your place"
because I cannot take 1t myself" in
terrupted Lady Selwyn.
I II wouldv' said the countess. II an
not very wise, but have quick instincts
and l foresee both danger and unhappi
ness for you unless you make a great eff
fort to assert yourself. Whose will rulel
YOUR house Miss Leigh's! Who rule
your child miss Leigh! Who influences
your husband Miss Leigh!'
"Ah. nov cried Lady Selwyn. mot tha
anything but that"
you must be blind il you do not se'
IT," said Countess Sitani: every one els
does, and| must say 1.-THE fault il
rour owni Instead Of shrinking into your
self. as I see you do. and being fright
ened at every shadow. be bold-knov
your own rights. and let no one interfer
with them. What a sin to sit preaching
on this bright day; but q sermon will d.
you good, Lady Selwyn. Remember tn
I committee this evening, and l shall watcl
you narrowly, to see IL my lecture ha
been Of any service to you. Now, good
by"
Ito b eontipued1