Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-10-07
CHAPTER III.

tail hill, whose sides. covered with trees
and flowers, slope down to the sen. No
park surrounds it, but the pleasure
grounds are extensive and magnificent.
There is, too, n deep, clear lake of vast
extent. bordered by dropping trees whose
branches touch the water. Though there
is no park, the Thornlcigh woods are close
and the River ThOrne runs at the foot Of
the hill.
On this morning. II fair one in June, the
windows of the breakfast room ut the
Castle were thrown wide open: the wind
came in, in great perfumed gusts; the
flowers outside seemed as though they
bowed their heads in greeting; lilies and
roses were at their ~fairest: the sunbeams
swept through the flower shaded windows,
and they fell upon Il quiet, pretty scene
that spoke Of home, a%fflucnce and Gle
gancc.
They fell first upon the proud, imperi-
Gus face of an elderly lady, the mother Of
the earl, the Honorable Mrs. Gerald Sell
wynn. Il lady who sits calm and erect.
There is not Il bend in her figure, not n
wrinkle in her calm, patrician face; one
can sec that she is proud to n fault, scru-
p,iloas. ambitious, worldly and fond of
life.
~ SuuucitHlS lill OH something elSC-
on the proud, high-brcd face of a young
girl, who is arranging some lilies so as to
form II bouquct-on n beautiful oval face,
with Il short upper lip and n fresh, ripe
under one, with clear, calm, proud eyes,
and straight brows-a girl with n long,
graceful, white throat and small white
hands. with every mark of race about her
IL thorough patrician; no smiling, dim
pied beauty. full of wild, fresh impulse,
such MS Violantc Temple. A court beau
ty, tliis-an aristocrat, with all the haugh-
.ty loneliness and dignity of n queen. And
this young lady, who move with such
caliii. serene, proud grace. is called Bca-
trirc Leigh. She is the niece of Mrs. Sell
wyn. and cousin of Lord Vivian.
Next TO her Own son, Mrs. Selwyn loved
Bca.ricc Leigh better than any one else
i'll the world, and from the first moment
the child entered her house, she had one
wish. and it was that her proud, beauti-
fnl niece should marry her son.
AS children. Vivian and Beatrice spent
much of their time together. When he
finally went to Oxford. and then into the
army. they We're separated, Vivian re-
tanning for his beautiful little playfcllow
II w;:r,n. kindly, brotlierly affection. She,
fed t,y his mothers continual praises of
hin. and constant rcitcration of her
wishes. gradually came to love the brave
young captain better than all the world
besides.
She looks very fair and serene, as the
sun!,cams kiss the beautiful face and the
white dress; her hair, dark and shining
like the wing of a rare bird, is braided
round her beautiful head. after the fash
ion Of IL Grecian statue, leaving the two
pretty. pearly ears to be seen.
"I.cttcrs!' cried Beatrice, as the foot
written; il he is still lingering at that
wonderful place-wEat is it-Woodeaves,
i'll Worcestershire? What possible attrac.
tion Gun he find there? All! this is his
handwriting, l am sure"
From Il number Of envelopes she select.
cd the one having his writing upon it.
Mrs. Selwyn smiled as she did so.
"lIow quickly you have found out, Bca-
trlcc." she cried. Nov, what does he
sayT'
She read the letter hnsti!y.
"tlc is coming tonight she went on;
"nnd. Beatrice, he says he has n surprise
for us. What can it be?"
"a surprised" she cried. a sudden CLEAN
of light making her face still more love.
ly; perhaps he has brought you some.
thug. nuntie."
hut Mrs. Sclwyn shook her head.
1T do not fancy that is it," she replied
II fancy. Beatrice, it is something about
hiusclf. What has he been staying al
this place for? Listen to what he says,
Il hope to be with you on Tuesday night,
prepare yourself. dear mother, for a sur
prise that will. l hope, he n pleasant one.
What Gun this surprise be. Bcatrice?" con
tinucd Mrs. Selwyn; The has done some
thing that he thinks will please me, rel,
OIL it,"
l,entricc had rcgaincd all her calm.
We shall know tonight. aunt sh,
sad quietly; "and the day is too warn
for coujccturcs."
-
CHAPTER w.
T,c clock on the Castle tower ha,
struck seven, the cook had sent more tha,
one messakc to say that dinner was ready
aud the Honorable Mrs. Selwyn, who ha,
expected her son ut six, began to grow