Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-11-04
CHAPTER N1I-Continued.)

Ilr lips that had never Sighed-had
Known naught but smilcs-touchcd the
lips 10 whom smiles were rare. Then the
radiant lady, whose life had no care, went
away. leaving Lady Sclwyn once more
alone under the sladiolns, with those
words OF caution and advice ringing in her
ears.
Had it really come 10 this. that strang-
cvs noted and commented upon the state
ci things in their household? Could it
really be that strangers saw that Bea-
tiioe Leigh had more influence over her
husl and than she had? 1t was her OWL
fault. In those early days. when Niyian's
love VAS untouched by doubt. il she had
complied more with his wishes, things
would never have come To this pass. Bet
tnr 10 have made Il few hlunders-to have
committed II few faults-to have made
mistakes; better that Il thousand times
thau FOX Miss Leigh to have grown accus-
1iiae,! To taking her place.
Was ii tao late to %change:' she asked
herself, wcaiily. If she could summon
ZIP courage now, and Try. step by step, to
regain all she had lost. would it be of any
r>eE' She was yonMg. and held life dear.
Ii seemed hard that hope and happiness
should gradually fade from her. The sun
shlme and the flowers sccmcd to smile up
On her. bending over the golden gladi-
ola, in whose fragrant bells the bees
were lumming-sl.e said To herself that
sar would try.
An opportunity came That very day.
during dinner Vivian spoke of the even
H., and laughed at the countess piqIant
notion of Il committee.
III is some distance 10 her house," VIC
last. said. How shall we co."
-Ns usual. Miss Leigh. who considered
He formation OF all plans her own par
tic'i!ai province, spoke.
Ill will be n fine evening"" she said,
"an.i Il walk by the Arno will be delight
Jul
'iIow fond Won are of that river, Bea-
%tricc,' said Vivian.
No one appealed TO Lady Selwyn, or
seemed to think she had any wish in the
matter. Now WAS the time 10 try.
If YOU have no objection she said,
turning her fair. flushed face TO Miss
I.'igl., II should like 10 drive. The walk
j. .itler long for me-
They looked at her with some surprise
. II Mas the first time she had diSscntcd
from any wish.
II Mas l.aly Selwyns first triumph. She
had rot timc to feel pleased over it be-
sore seeing the expression on Miss L4eish's
face. 1t startled her: for it said that she
should suffer for the contradiction. and
So Considered the victory dearly bought.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Villa Pisani was brilliantly illn-
minated. The rooms were filled with
guests: the queen of the fete was Bea-
trice Leigh. 1t had been given i'll her
hrnnr. and she WAS the most beautiful
and brilliant woman present Mt it.
n little group stood together near one
OF the numerous fountains that played
among the lowcrs-Beatricc, looking SUI
lcrhly beautiful; Countess Sitani; an Eng
lish lady. Mrs. Rochester; Lady Selwyn,
and Prince Cesare; they had been admir-
ing Il rare Indian plant, whose flowers
lcsemblcd n crimson bell.
Prince Cesare thought, rs he looked at
Ike group of fair women, that he had new
CT seen Lady Violantc look to SO little ad-
vantage. Tho chief attraction in her bcau-
- had always been its brightness, the
light of her violet eyes, the sheen Of her
golden hair, the exquisite coloring Of her
face; hut tonight she looked dim and
fadcd-it was as though tears had washed
away all radiance-had quenched the light
OF the starry eyes. She looked pale and
wcaricd: there was no animation in her
manner; she was abstracteh, Indifferent
and dull. differing far as the moon from
the sun to the bright, Quecnly woman by
her side.
Lord Vivian joined the group. and he
VAS struck as he mad never been before
b. The superb beauty of Beatrice Leigh.
Shining down IL rival was an occupation
tsu agreeable to her TINT her face glowed
with t%r,;mph-the diamonds on her white
breast were not brighter than her dark
eyes. lord Vivian looked ut her, then
al his wife, who stood by her side "eclips-
Cd" ale wondered what Violante could
have done to herself-evcn her dress seem
ei either ill-iitting or ili-closen.
Il came in search of a runaway part
nrr,'' said Lord Vivian to Miss Leigh
are you ready, Beatrice"
Her face was good to see as she raised
it to his.
. This will be our last dance for many
loag months" she said, as they walked
away together; land, Vivian, when it is
ended 4 shall not care to dance again."
Why not?" he said simply. 1t never
entered his head to imagine that Miss
Leigh was what would be called ssHirtinrh
with him.
Because" she said promptly, 'I never
find another partner like you; every one
else seems awkward and stupid; too tail
or too short"
Won fntter me, Beatrice" he said. 81
had TO idea you valued my dancing 81
highly"
Il value all you do aud all you say.
she replied, and he touched the whit,
jcwelci hand that lay upon his arm
Then they passed out of sight. Primo,
Ccsare went away with the countess
Mrs. Rochester was Joined by her hus
tnnd, and Lady Sclwyn, in a few min
:,i,rs. found herself alone.
NO one will miss me-" thought til
poor child; there, In my husbands owl
house, no one cares for the. 1 am only il
tho way; no one will miss ME"
She passed out into. the moonli
,gSounds. where the fragrant night ri
Whispered to the trees, Snawing jealous
.nnd injured love burning the child-lik.
tender heart away. She went where th
sound Of the music could not reach her
down to the banks Of the river, where