Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-01-18
CHAPTER NEJI.

lrrp mourning. bringing with him his
u,fhrrlcsS child. He had sorrowed as one
who has no hope. His face had altered;
il had crown grave with Il gravity and
sadness that never died away.
The only comfort he ever enjoyed was
with his son Rupert-Rupert who had
his mothers eyes and golden hair. Mrs.
Selwyn and Beatrice Leigh spent the
greater part of their time with him, and
Beatrice devoted herself to his boy. To
saw that her love for this handsome. mel
ancholy master of Selwyn Castle increas-
ed every day is to speak mildly. He was
free now. and she might love him as she
would But he never seemed to know
anything about it. He was kind to her,
as he had always been: afTectionate as
though he were her brother; attentive and
chivalrous. rs he had ever been. But
there was no love.
An accident brought about that which
sfterward happened-his marriage with
Miss Leigh.
why are you looking so grave, moth
err" asked Lord Vivian of Mrs. Selwyn
one evening.
She was sitting alone in the drawing
room. with an expression of deep thought
and anxiety on her placid, comely face.
Il am thinking of Beatrice" she re-
Piled; Il am not happy over her. l am
her guardian. yet | cannot help thinking
that | have somehow failed in my trust.
Why" he asked.
Il do not know" she replied. Il am
annoyed that she has refused Lord Eyr-
ton; there is not a truer, better man in
England. He is very wealthy, and Bea-
trice would have made an admirable mis-
tress for Eyrton Court. She has refused
him, and he is very unhappy"
Why did she do it?' he asked.
she says she does not love him." re-
piled Mrs. Selwyn, .and that she will only
marry a man she does love-"
Il married for love-" said Lord Vivian,
musingly, as his mother looked quickly
into his face, fearing she had panied him.
But why need you reproach yourself.
mother? You cannot force Beatrice eth
er TO love or TO marry"
Il fear have been remiss," said Mrs.
Selwyn. Il believe Beatrice does love
some one, and has loved him for years.
| am afrsid she Vii never care for any
one else, and l ought to have foreseen it"
Who is he, motherT' asked Lord Wv
an, wondering who had touched the heart
Of that brilliant, beautiful girl.
Il cannot answer the question:" said
Mrs. Selwyu; and there was something
so significant in the tone of her voice that
her son looked up at her in wondering
amaze.
Like lightning the thought flashed over
him. Could it be himself? Was it possi-
bic that Beatrice had loved him all these
years-that she had refused such excellent
offers for his sake? He was but a NOR
tai man. and his vanity was flattered at
the thought.
Mothe-," he said, gently, you should
have been less or more explicit. Tell me
truly do you mean that Beatrice cares
for me in that kind OF way-you know"
II should not have spoken" she said.
"Do not be angry with me. Vivian. / be-
lieve she has loved and cared for you all
her life
Il never dreamed of such a thing" he
said simply, and the conversation ended.
But he thought again and again of bis
mothers words. Beatrice loved him. and
he fought to himself that he might just
well make her happy as not. Every
one was telling him that he ought TO ma r
~ again. that mistress was wanted for
Selwyn Castle, and mother for his young
heir. He was fattered TO think that she
loved him 1t would make her happy, il
would make his mother happy: as for him
srlf-Lord Vivian shrugged his shoulders
happiness and sorrow were much alike
to him.
Two or three days afterward Lord Sell
wyn asked Miss Leigh if she could spa re
him a few minutes, he had something i'm
portant to say, and she who had long
ceased to hope that the desire of her hea rt
would be given to her, thought it was
something about Rupert, or the domestic
affairs of the household, and told him she
was going down 10 the lodge, and he might
walk with her.
80 they went together down the fresh,
dewy glades Of the park; there was a
tender green on the young larch buds,
and pink May shone bright on the hedges,
and then Lord Selwyn, without any show
Of passion or great affection, asked Bea-
trIce Leigh If she would be his wife.
There was one flash of startled joy in
her face, one gleam of love that for a
moment made her beauty almost divine.
then she answered quietly as he had
asked, and Lord Selwyn half-wondered if
his mother had been mistaken.
They were married very quietly; and
II Lady Beatrice Selwyn, remembering
what she had called Lord Vivian's Sin
iatuation" for the young wife, felt any
disappointment that he showed no infat-
uation for her, she made no sign. She had
secured her hearts desire; she had driven
the fair, loving young wife, her rival, by
scorn and insult, by continual petty per-
secuuons, by woman's wit and woman's
malice, from home-she reigned in her
own piece, and she was content.
ne only thorn in her crown was that
!oantes S son must one day be lord of
HelWyn Castle, and she began to hate the
.hid with jealous hatred that exceeded.
u possible, the envious dislike she had
Tor his beautiful but hapIess mother.
phe sunny afternoon in June Lady Bea-
irice Selwyn, tired and languid, has or
uerrf the blinds to be lowered, and the
mellow light that fills the room is soft
ard rose colored.
LOO tired TO read, too languid to think
Lazy Beatrice lies upon the couch, wish
'"S the heat Of the day were over.
AHd while the summer heat broods si-
.eatiy over the white lilies. the rector OF
Lhorn.eish, DR.. Hearne, walked through
ne green park and pleasure grounds of
oFeishton TO seek Lord Selwyn. He
ipHnd the master of the Hall at home,
"ea' Ike his lady. by the intense warmth.
H"e' Ike her husband, reproached him
.n't De mad walked through the park on
tIS warm June day; and to her also DR..
titaFhe answered. with a courteous salu-
.S''oh' that his business could not wait
the weather.
J., Nhat is it," asked my lady, with a
ausuid smile: and on the words that an
s"eFed her turned the current Of her life.