Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-12-07
CHAPTER VII.

The Christmas OF that year was very
nv one at the Castle. Lord Selwyn de-
clared himself 10 be greatly in arrears
over hospitality-he had given neither par
~ nor fete worth naming since his acces-
sion to the title; all that must be altered
now that he had lovely wife to please
ard consult.
So that Selwyn Castle became the very
center of Saiety. Large relays OF guests
cume from London, and once there, iiked
to remain. There were dinner parties'
fctes. balls. charades and tableaux; the
whole neighborhood seemed to be aroused,
and one family Wed with another as 10
who should be gayest.
1t was a new world for Lady Niolante
"a world she would have enjoyed eAces-'
sively had she been spectator lnsteau Oh
leader. She was very much admired. and
much liked by all the guests. Ihey
thought her graceful and lovely; yet Ill
some vague way, she never seemed TO be
the real mistress of the brilliant revels.
II one put q question about the charan"s'
the tableaux, the music or dresses. size
had q way of raising her shy, sweet eyes
and saying:
Il do not know: pray ask Mrs seiwyn
or Miss Leigh"
With kindly encouragement Lady sei-
wyn might In time have taken courage
and have learned to fulfill all the onercGs
duties Of her station. AS it was s'e
more timid and more unnt for them ever.
day.
Then came another minor troubie-ti's
incident upon which the strange event ~
her life turned. Pauline. the maid whf
was engaged at her wedding to attend ui-
on her, was suddenly obliged to return
home, and Lady Selwyn had to adv".i's
for another maid.
- Theresa Bowden pleased Lady SeiWyn
at first sight She had a soft. graceful.
plea SAINT manner. a clear voice. with a
perfectly refined accent. She seemed
anxious, too, and had brought with her
some excellent testimonials. She had
lived with Lady DunrObin, whose sad
death every one remembered; afterwaru
with the Countess Of Strathmere. who
had gone abroad.
If you think should be likely to suit
YOU. my lady" said the woman, Il Will
try so hard to do my duty. l would do
anything almost for a home. l am one
Of the very few who are quite alone in
the world. have no relations living, and
few friends" These words afterward
and a week afterward Theresa BowdeD
was at the Castle.
Then, and for the first time, Beatrice
Leigh saw her. She entered Lady Vio-
lante's room one morning with some mes
sage from Mrs. Selwyn. and saw the maid
engaged over her ady's wardrobe. To
send her from the room on some slight
pretext was but the work of n minute.
and then Miss Leigh turned to Lady Sci
wyn with a smile that had in it a tinge of
malice.
rs that your new maidT" she asked.
Yes" was the reply. She came yes
,er,iay, and she seems to understand her
duties pretty WELL"
Il should never have engaged her"
said Miss Leigh emphatically. DO you
not perceive anything strange about her!'
No" replied Lady Violante. 81 thought
her very pleasant and graceful In her
manner"
.sDo YOU not see,"cried Beatrice, how
much she is like you? Her hair is of the
same shade, she is Of the same height
the same complexion. 1t is a grave mis-
take to have engaged such a person. Only
imag CINE what remarks people may make"
Il did not notice it-I never thought Of
it," said Lady Violante, distressed and
dismayed, as she always was when Miss
Leigh found fault. 1t cannot matter.
though"
That depends upon TASTE" was the
quiet reply. For my part, should not
like a maid who might be mistaken for
my sister"
Yet Lady Vioante liked Theresa Bow
den, and she remained at Selwyn Castle.
Had she not done SO, this story would
never have been written.
ITO be cOptinued.l