Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-12-02
CHAPTER XXI

tHEousA me sreiteSi pam she could ever
know. The agony of death was not so
great, she thought. us the anguish of
seeing and speaking 10 her son. while he
knew hey not. But there was even great
cr pain n store.
She came out of the school room one
afternoon. tired with the neat and the
moist OF the children; her head ached,
her eyes were half-blinded with the glare
OF the sun: she lonscd for rest and sleep.
Inc little cottage stood ali alone; no one
ever came near it. She dreaded no in
trusMon. either of friend. or visitor. or
foe.
So, on this sultry afternoon, ~lcavin: the
door which led 10 the garden wide open
TO admit a free current of air. she sat
down Iii the pretty rocking chair, and lay
Ing her tired head on her hands. fell fast
asleep. AS she lay there. so unconscious.
So happy in her dream, so peaceful in her
sleep, the sunshine playing over her, the
VIM signing gently round her, n step
sounded on the path that led to the door.
Lord Selwyn was passing the cottage, and
thought 10 please his wife by an act of
attention 10 her govcrncss. He went slow
ly nr the garden path, and smiled when he
saw the open door. He entered, and there
"'"' -'h ~ SINtlUItS MbIlIl, WlJN
q peaceful smile on her face.
He did not recognize her. How should
he. believing as he did that she slept under
the white marble monument at Florence?
lie saw the dark hair and the widow,
cap. the patient lips frightened by a
smile tina. came from The peace of heaven.
not earth, and his kindly, noble heart
warmed 10 her.
nc MIL nnvnr fprpn, Inr .,r In ,,,;lI
never forget her terrified start. the I'M
earthly fear that seemed for Il few short
minutes 10 paralyzc her as she awoke. She
stood before him, white, stricken with
anguish in her face and in her eyes, wait
ing as 'he criminal waits for the words
OF the jaasc who has TO condemn him.
Il be- your pardon, Mrs. Rivers said
Lord Sclwyn kindly: II would not have
disturbed Won so cruelty for the world. /
have alarmed yor very much. | fear"
Vic heard the mlrmur of "a few mar
tlcu!atc words. and. pretending to have
understood them. said:
YOU will find life rather dull at Thorn
leigh; bur You must comc up to the Castle
sometimes. Lady Sclwyn is very much
attached To her schools. She would like
you 70 he very happy, | am sure"
VIVA! was she saying? He bent down
to. listen. for hcr strength had failed. and
She was sitting in the chair from which
she had risen in such mortal fright.
He was very kind; Lady Selwyn was
very good. She wanted for nothing
You do not seem very well. or yet
very strong" he said gently. "Perlaps
you have not got over the sorrow of your
loss yet:'
NO" the white lips said. II shall new
er dc that-nevcr get over it while
live"
Suddenly his eyes fell upon that same
volume of Wordsworth. He went hastily
to the little bookcase and took it down.
she watching him brcathlcssly the while.
She saw his face darken, and an angry
look come into his eyes.
II beg your pardon. Mrs. Rivers, he
said: this book must have been sent here
by mistake"
Lady Sclwyn was kind enough to Sc.
lcct q few for me-" she replied, land that
was among them"
1T was a mistake he said, curtly. 81
value :. very highly. l would not part
with it on any account. You will excuse
me il ! take it away"
Her very heart lcapcd at the words,
All! then he did respect and even love her
memory. 1t was by no wish of his that
the book had been sent from the Castle.
as not worth keeping; and Lady Beatrice
had spoken untruthfully over that. as she
did over all other things.
He quietly put the volume in his pocket,
and turned 10 so away with an express
sion Of deep annoyance on his face.
1T was heartlcss." he thought, "of Bca-
trice to give away anything that had be-
longed 10 poor Violantc-swcet Violante!'
and a deep sigh escaped him as the mem
ory of his first wifc's fair young face
rose before him.
You must accept my apologies for
having disturbed you, Mrs. Rivers" he
said; land pray remember. Lady Selwyn
will feel great pleasure i'll attending ia
any request of yours"
Then for the first time he saw the sad,
pleading eyes. and a puzzled look came
over his face.
Have 1 seen You bcfore:" he asked
hastily: your face is strangely familiu,
TO met
She tried to smile. but the attempt was
a CHASTITY one. That one question was a
most complete and perfect parody on hu
man love-bettcr than a thousand vol
umee written to prove its vanity.
II have not been out much since
have been here" she replied evasively
hut he still looked puzzled and mystified
You find school duties hard" he sait
kindly; you do not look strong.'
~ am very fond of Children she re-
piled; II am happiest among them"
"Good-morning, Mrs. Rivers he said
TRY and make yourself as happy as 70,
can
The next moment he was gone, and TIL,
light of her life seemed to pass way witt
him.
CHAPTER XIII.
How Mrs. Rivers managed to surviv,
that visit and continue her work of drudg
cry in the school room she could neve
afterwards tell.
For several weeks afterwards she, han
PLY for herself, saw nothing of eithe
Lord Selwyn or Lady Beatrice. Ny lad.
was not well. Lord Selwyn thought
change would be beneficial to her. 8,
they went away to the pretty estate i,
Scotland, Hudson Hall, the boy Ruper