The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-02-18
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVU.
Dancing is going on in the small draw.
Jig room. Lady Swansdown hardly I'M
derstands herself tonight. That saene
with her hostess has upset her mentally
and bodily and created in her a wild de-
sire to get away from herself, and from
baltimore at any cost. Some idle freak
has induced her to use Beauclerk as 4
safeguard from both, and he, unsettled in
his own mind and eager TO come to CON
clusions with Joyce and her fortune, has
lent himself 10 the wles of his whilom
foe, and is charmed by her fascinating. if
vagrant, mood.
Perhaps in all her life Lady Swans
down has never looked so lovely as to-
night. Excitement and mental disturb
ance have lent q dangerous brillancy to
her eyes, touch of color to her cheek.
There is something electric about her that
touches those who gaze on her and warns
herself that crisis is at hand.
In a way she has chung TO Beauclerk as
q means of escaping Raltimore-throwing
out a thousand Wiles to charm him 10 her
side, and succeeding. Three times she
had given q smiling Mo- to Lord Balti-
more's demand for n dance, aud. regard
less Of opinion. had flung herself into a
wild and open filtration with Beauclerk
But it is growing toward midnight. and
her strength IS failing her. These people.
will they never go? Will she never be
able to seek her own room. and solitude.
and despair, without calling down COM
ment on her head, and giving Isabcl-that
cold woman-the chance of sneering at
her weakness?
\ sudden sense Of the uselessness Of it
ali has taken possession of her; her heart
sinks. 1t is at this moment that Bafti-
more once more comes up to her
This dance says he. 1T is half way
through. You are not engaged, l sup
pose, as you are sitting down: May |
have what remains of it,
She makes a little gesture of acoufas
cencc and, rising, places her hand upon
his arm.
The crisis has come, she tells herself
with rather grim smile. Well. better
have it and get it over.
That there had been 4 violent scene ha-
tween Baltimore and his wife after dinner
had somehow become known to her. and
the marks Of it still betrayed themselves
in the formers frowning brow and SOM
Der eyes.
1t had been more of a scene than usual
Lady Baltimore, generally so calm. had
for once lost herself, and given way 10 \
passion of Indignation that had shaken
her to her very hearts core. Though so
apparently unmoycd and almost insolent
in her demeanor toward Lady Swans
down during their interview, she had
been, nevertheless. cruelty wounded by il
and could not forgive Baltimore in that
he had been its cause.
Il didn't think you and Beauclerk had
anything in common says baltimore
seating himself beside her on the low
lounge that is half hidden from the public
gaze by the Indian curtains that fall at
each side Of it. He had made 10 prctense
of finishing the dance. He had led the
way and she had suffered herself to be
led into the small ante-room that half
smothered in early spring flowers, lay off
the dancing room.
"Ah. you see you have yet much to learn
about me-" says she. with an attempt at
gaycty-which fails, however.
About YOU: No. says he, almost de
family. Don't tell me | have deceived
myself about you. Beatrice; you are all
have left to fail back upon now" His
tone is reckless to the last degree.
what is il. Cyril?" looking at him with
sudden intentncss. "Somcthing has han
pened. What
The old story" returns he. "and am
sick Of it. have thrown up my hand.
would have been faithful to her. Beatrice
| swear that. but she does not care for
my devotion. And as for me. now
He throws ont his arms as If tired to
| death. and draws in his breath heavily.
Now says she, leaning forward.
Am worth your acccptanceT says he.
turning sharply to her. Il hardly dare to
think il. and yet you have been kind to
me, and your own lot is not a happy
and"
He parses.
do you hcsitate:" asks she. very bit
terly. although her pale lips are smiling.
VIII you risk it aIl?" says he. sadly
/ "Nlll you come away with me? feel
have no friend on earth but Won. VIII
you take pity on me: | shall not stay
here, whatever happens; | have striyen
against fate too long-it has overcome me.
/ Another land-a different Iifc-complete
I forGctfulneSs-"
I DO you know what you are saying:"
! asks Lady Swansdown. deathly white.
Yes: have thought it all ont. II is for
( YOU now TO decide. have sometimes
/ thought ! was not entirely Indifferent 70
/ you, and at all events We are friends in
/ the best sense of the term. If you were n
/ happily married woman. Beatrice, |
should not speak TO you like this. but as it
. is-in another Iand-if you will come with
/ me-we-'
Think, think" says she, putting up her
/ hand to stay him from further speech
! "All this is said in Il moment of angry
/ excitement. You have called me vour
/ friend-and truly. am so far in touch
! with you that | can soc you are very IN
/ happy. You have had-forgive me if /
/ probe yoU-hut you have had some-some
! words with your wife,
Final words. l hope-I think"
! Il do not, however. All this will blow
over, and-come, Cyril. face it, Are yon
( really prepared II deliberately break the
last link that holds You to her."
/ There IS no link. She has cut herself
I adrift long since. She viii he glad TO he
l rid Of me-"
, And you-will you be glad to he rid Of
! her."
1t will he better" says he. shortly.
"And-rhe hoyf"
Don't let Us 90 into H." little wildly.
"oh. but we must-we must" says she
! The boy-you will
! Il shall leave him to Ler. ! am nothing
/ TO her. | cannot leave her deSolara"
/ How you consider her." says she. in n
! choking voice. She could have burst into
tears. What g heart, and that woman
/ to treat him so-while-ch. it is hard
I hardr'
( Il tell Won" says she, presently. that
+ you have not gone into this thing. To
( morrow You viii regret all that you have
/ now said"
If you refuse me-yes. 1t lies in yogr
hands now. Are you going to refuse me-
/ Give ne moment says she. family.
! She has risen TO her feet. and is 50 stand
/ Ing that he cannot watch her. Her Who'll,
. SOL. j. confused Shall ekff Shall zh.