Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-12-16
By Ma,xou v Hllls.IW@s

living. Rupert would know that the moth.
err whose memory he had w%orshiped had
deceived the whole world, and had nursed
him. Before sunset--and it was now near
noon.
Then his lordship told her that Lady
Beatrice had been suffering all night and
was resting in her own room. While the
words were still on his lips there came a
gentle tap at tho ante-room door. Fearing
Rupert might be disturbed, Lord Selwyn
went himself to answer it. There stood
the butler with u white, terrified face.
Twill you please come out, my lord?' he
said. II want to speak to you."
He went, with q heavy foreboding as
of some coming sorrow ut his heart.
"What is it, Hewson?" he asked. "Is
anything wrong?"
MY lord" said the man, turning
abruptly, II do not know how to tell you.
1 cannot find words"
II do not like suspense" said Lord Sci.
wyn.
MY lady went out this morning, my
lord" said the man; II cannot say whose
fault it was, but she took the chestnut
ponies-and-"
ooh, .heavcn! cried the unhappy hus.
band. "Nhat has happened?-tcll me the
worst"
"There has been al accident, and my
lady has been brought home in DIR. Ar
gents carriage from Shilton."
"Is she-is she-" then Lord Selwyu
stopped short, his white lips could moi
form the word.
NO." was the reply; "thc groom wa
killed on the spot; my lady still lives"
"Where have they laid her:' he asked,
in low, hoarse tones.
"In her own room. Let me tell you the
worst. my lord; she will never leave II
again."
With a cry that rcsembled no human
sound, Lord Selwyn fastened away. He
met strange men and weeping servants in
the corridor and on the broad staircase;
they made way in silence for him.
He entered the room where she lay
proud, beautiful, imperial Beatrice, proud
no longel-the color and flush of health
and strength all gone. They had laid her
upon the sumptuous bed, and the two doc
tors stood on either side. They made way
for him as he entered. He knew by the
expression on both grave faces that for
the haplcss lady lying there hope had van
ishcd.
A1S VIZ VIZ w AiNAs oht - IN llISL ltlllU
her lips were mute when he called her
namc.
ut is useless, Lord Selwyn." said DIR.
Danvcrs. Lady Beatrice will never SEQ
You or hear you again."
us there no hope?" he asked.
"Nonc," was the grave reply. "He,
ladyslip has sustained two injuries, either
of which would be fatal. Her spine is ter
ribly injured, and there is conclusion of
the brain. 1t is merely a matter Of a few
minutes; but she will never know you
again. She may continue in this state one
hour or two-no longer; nor can we render
II assistance by remaining"
His distress was terrible to witness. He
knelt down by her side, and took the
white. helpless hands in his. 1t was not
that he loved her SO dearly; but the man.
ner. the suddenncss of her death Devil.
dercd him. He had been so happy n few
minutes since, because Rupert was better,
and now he stood by his wife's deathbed.
The shock seemed too much for him.
One by II the servants came, all anxious
TO render some assistance, but he waved
them away Nothing could be done for
the doomed lady whose life was so nearly
over.
"Will she not know me? Will she new
er be able TO speak to me again?" he cried;
and the reply was, ''Nevcr in this world
never again.
Some 0ne-he never knew who it was
brought in little Lance, the beautiful.
blooming boy, who cried with Joy at tho
sight of his mother, then cried again, be-
cause he was frightened Mt the stiffness
of her white, dcath-like face. But Meth.
er joy. nor sorrow-not even the voice of
the child she loved SO dearly, and for
whom she had sinned SO tcrribly-had
power to move her.
They laid the child by her side. Its lit
tie warm hands touched her; but never
again would a mothers kiss soothe it, and
Lord Selwyn, unable to bear the sight.
motioncd the child away.
"A few minutes more, and the solemn ST.
lence of that death chamber was broken
by the entrance of Mrs. Rivers. She made
no apology, but went up to Lord Selwyn.
lis there anything I can dos" she ask.
cd gently; and when he shook his head
for all words failed him-instead of lcay.
ing the room, she went round to the other
side of the bed, md looked earnestly at
the changed face.
Then 1Sr. Danvers came up to the bed
and looked at the white face. He laid
his hand gently on Mrs. Rivers.
you can pray no longer for the living
lie said; "shc is dead"
She was dead. When the soul passed to
its judgment none of the three kneeling
there ever knew! There was LITTLE change
in the face, n that the gray shades
deepened. Lord Sclwyn's grief was pitt.
full to witness.
II could almost believe" lie said, shat
a curse rests on me and mine. My first
wife died a terrible death. What have I
lone that l nm SO terribly punished?"
A gentle voice whispered in his eur:
Heavens DEGREES are not always oi-
dained in punishment; they are alwayl
wise, and always merciful."
(To be %continued.D
Tree Irregularity.
A naturalist pointed out the reason
for trees growing in their irregular
shapes. Their irreguiarity serves u
most important purpose. When a gale
IA 01nwinN tho hronoho. r,sYa ~ -