Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-01-25
CHAPTER XIX.

the little girls who regarded Lady Bea
,,ice with such awe. How WAS she tt
meet her?-what was she to say?-was
her disguise complete!
She went up to her own room before she
entered the school next morning and took
a keen, critical survey of her pale face
She was woman enough to feel pleased
that such fair, tranquil beauty still lin.
sered there One or two golden hairs had
strayed from underneath the black front
and the widows cap: she hastily cut them
off. No: il was impossible, she thought
that anyone could recognize her. All that
remained of the fair and lovely Lady Vic.
lante was the pathetic beauty Of the large
violet eyes: even those were disguised by
the darkened brows.
IF Dr. Hearne did not know me,
need not fear Beatrice" she thought: "he
liked and she hated me-liking is quicker
than hate.
She went into the school room then.
Great patches OF golden sunshine lay
athwart the white floor; the long windows
were open. and the perfumed air came in
sweet and odorOus gusts. The children
were all ssembled-fair-facedg girls, with
quick eyes and nimble fingers. A certain
nameless restlessness went through them
all: it was known that Lady Selwyn was
coming 10 the school that day.
Then there was stir among the chill
dren, a murmur OF excitement: and one
girl older than the rest came up to her,
dropping a courtesy.
If you please. ma'am," she said, "here
Is my Lady Selwyn-"
Then a tall, stately lady, clad in sweep
ing robes of silk and velvet, stood before
her-a lady whose proud, regal beauty
dazzled those who gazed upon her. The
naughty lips wore pleased smile: the
dark. lustrOus eyes a calm, satisfied ex
preston. She swept, with the carriage of
queen, through the garden into the
bright sunshiny room.
Il hope l have not interrupted you,"
said Lady Beatrice TO Mrs. Rivers. II
am an early visitor this morning. / have
been driving TO the railway station, and
have called on my return
There was no reply. Mrs. Rivers made
low bow, and Lady Beatrice continued:
Il will just look round among the chill
dren, Mrs. Rivers, and then, if you please,
will see you in the cottage"
Nay, not one word to have saved her
whole life could she have uttered. She
tried, but her parched lips seemed glued
together. Ny lady was cverconae---- !.
sire mUsI devoutfy DeIIeyeu rnar II was
the effect of her own august presence, a
conviction that made her unusually gra-
ciOus and affabe.
My lady swept down the room, her
costly silk and velvet trailing after her.
Mrs. Rivers followed her. still with silent
lips and tightly clinched hands. Through
the garden. where the crimson leaves lay
on the broad path, to the little cottage,
where the woodbines hung in full flower.
II So,
woman behind her gathered all her
strength together.
Ny lady seated herself on the little
couch. the gray silk and rich velvet fol-
lowing around her.
BE seated. Mrs. Rivers" she said.
You do not look strong. l hope you are
well, and Ike your new home. You are
widow, l believer said Lady Beatrice,
looking at the close cap.
Il have lost my husband and my son,
was the quiet reply; BY this time the vio-
let eyes were raised calmly and search
ingiy TO the lady's face.
Dear me-" was the conventional reply;
how very sad. You are glad, perhaps
OF quiet life after great sorrowr said
my lady, after a short pause.
My sorrow has been and II verJ
heavy one" replied the quiet voice.
Are you a stranger in this part of the
country? asked Lady Beatrice.
have been living for some few year,
at Sheptoa," said Mrs. Rivers.
l hope You will make yourself happy
shal! send you fruit and flowers from
the Hal; have been in the habit of do
ing so. Are you fond OF readingT
1t is my only pleasure" said the gov
eFness Il have no other"
we have so many books at the Hall,
continued Lady Beatrice; you can have
what you viii from the library. l sent
down few; have you looked over then
YETI"
have not had time" said Mrs. Rivers
gong 10 the little bookcase. "These art
very nice and useful. thank your lady
snip very much for the kind thought"
Inc voice was gentle enough, the words
were humble, yet Lady Beatrice though
to herself:
how stiff and unmoved she is."
Suddenly Mrs. Rivers saw the volum,
OF Wordsworth; in one instant she recog
niZei II. She remembered the very after
noon when Lord Selwyn had given it II
her- What did it here? Lady Beatric,
saw it in her hands.
DO you like Wordsworth ~ she asked
condescendinylv
But Mrs. Rivers did not appear to hav,
heard the question. She had opened tn,
oook, and was looking at the title page.
10 my dearest Violante: from her de
voted husband, Vivian Selwyn."
Heaven be merciful that the sight o
tne handwriting and the words did nc
slav her
LADY Beatrice glanced at it.
No. she replied. carelessly and un
uuthfully, Lord Selwyn sent it with tn
others"
-hTs RIVERS repressed the cry Of an
sulsh that rose to her lips. Did he Low
Ier memory so little that he gave to hi
dependents the gifts that had been hers
Tome for books when you want more,
Naiu Lady Beatrice. Il have some nOtiO
Vi iounding a library for the use of tn
fH4aEers: if so, Mrs. Rivers. l shall b
pleaSed to put it under your care. Re
member at any time and in any diff
Guilty, you must apply to me-"
Sp .-se and stood, so tall and stately
.nat ~ little room seemed too small 70
her
=, am very pleased to have seen you
-dFs. rivers she said, graciously. Mas
ler rupert Selwyn will be riding past tn
scnool to-day, and he will bring you til
luIes was speaking about l wish yo
good-morningr,
"ood-morning, Lady Selwyn," mul
uieu li the white lips, and cry from tn
4eeulng heart went up to Heaven-bet
any anguish, any death, than this!
sue was zone. the beautiful, statel