Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-02-01
CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.
Mrs Rivers thought she had gone
through the greatest pain she could evei
know. The agony of death was not SO
great she thought, as the anguish of
seeing and speaking to her son, while he
knew her not. But there was even great
er pain in store.
She came out of the school room one
afternoon. tired with the heat and the
noise of the children: her head ached.
her ewes were half blinded with the glare
of the sun: she longed for rest and sleep.
The little cottage stood all alone; no oce
ever came near il. She dreaded no in
trusion. either of friend, or visitor. or
foe.
So, on this sultry afternoon, leaving the
ioor which led to the garden wide open
TO admit free current Of air, she sat
down in the pretty rocking chair, and lay
ing her tired head on her hands, fell fast
asleep. As she lay there, so unconscious,
so happy in her dream, so peaceful in her
sleep. the sunshine playing over her, the
wind signing gently round her, a step
sounded on the path that led to the door,
Lord Selwyn was passing the cottage, and
thought to please his wife by an act Of
attention TO her governess. He went slow
" up the garden path, and smiled when he
saw the open door. He entered, and there
before him saw the sleeping woman, with
peaceful smile on her face.
he did not recognize her. How should
be, believing as he did that she slept under
the white marble monument at Florence7
He saw the dark hair and the widows
cap, the patient lips frightened by
smile that came from the peace of heaven,
not earth, and his kindly, noble heart
warmed to her.
He will never forget her cry, he will
never forget her terrified start, the un-
earthly fear that seemed for a few short
minutes to paralyZe her as she awoke She
stood before him, white, stricken with
anguish in her face and in her eyes, wait
ing as the criminal waits for the words
Of the judge who has to condemn him.
Il beg your pardon, Mrs. Rivers" said
Lord Selwyn kindly;''I would not have
disturbed you so cruelty for the world. l
have alarmed you very much, I fear
He heard the murmur Of a few mar
ticulate words, and. pretending to have
understood them, said:
You will find life rather dull at Thorn
leigh; but you must come up to the Castle
sometimes. Lady Selwyn is very much
attached to her schools. She would like
you to be very happy. am sure"
What was she saying? He bent down
TO hsteh, for her strength had failed, and
she was sitting in the chair from which
she had risen in such mortal fright.
He was very kind: Lady Sol-yn was
very good. She wanted for nothing"
You. do not seem very well, or yet
very strong" he said gently. perhaps
ho,-A = %hn no
loss YETI"
No." the white lips said. Il shall new
er do that-never get over it while
i've"
Suddenly his eyes fell upon that same
volume of Wordsworth. He went hastily
to the little bookcase and took it down,
she watching him breathlessly the while.
She saw his face darken, and an angry
look come into his eyes.
Il beg your pardon, Mrs. Rivers" he
said; this book must have been sent here
by mistake"
Lady Selwyn was kind enough to Sc
lect few for me-" she replied, "and that
was among them"
1T was a mistake" he said, curtly. Il
value it very highly. l would not part
with it on any account. You will excuse
me II | take it away"
Her very heart leaped at the words.
All! then he did respect and even love her
memory. 1t was by no wish of his that
the book had been sent from the Castle,
as not worth keeping; and Lady Beatrice
had spoken untruthfully over that, as she
did over all other things.
He quietly put the volume in his pocket,
and turned to go away with an express
sion Of deep annoyance on his face.
1T was heartless,' he thought, "of Bea.
trice TO give away anything that had be
longed to poor Violante-sweet Violante!'
and deep sigh escaped him as the MEM
DRY Of his first wife's fair young face
rose before him.
You must accept my apologies for
having disturbed you, Mrs. Rivers" he
said; land pray remember, Lady Selwyn
will feel great pleasure in attending to
any request of yours"
Then for the first time he saw the sad,
pleading eyes, and a puzzled look came
over his face.
Have l seen you beforer' he asked
hastily; your face is strangely familiar
to me!'
She tried to smile, but the attempt was
ghastly one. That one question was a
most complete and perfect parody on hu.
man loye-better than a thousand vol
umes written to prove its vanity.
Il have not been out much since
have been here" she replied evasively
but he still looked puzzled and mystified
You find school duties hard" he said
kindly; you do not look strong"
Il am very fond Of children" she re
piled; Il am happiest among them"
"Good-morning, Mrs. Rivers" he said
try and make yourself as happy as you
can"
The next moment he was gone, and the
light of her life seemed to pass away with
him.
CHAPTER XXI.
How Mrs. Rivers managed to survive
that visit and continue her work Of drudg
cry in the school room she could never
afterwards tell.
For several weeks afterwards she, hap
ply for herself, saw nothing Of eithel
Lord Selwyn or Lady Beatrice. My lady
was not well. Lord Selwyn thought q
change would be beneficial to her. sc
they went away to the pretty estate IL
Scotland. Hudson Hall, the boy Rupert
remaining with his tutor at the Castle
Tor Lady Beatrice declared herself fal
loo unwell TO bear any noise.
And during that time Rupert went ofter
10 the cottage. He could not explain te
himself how or why, but he grew warmly
attached to the gentle, patient lady, VINO
always seemed so delighted to see MN
and had always something nice waiting
ior him; who petted him and coaxed nj"
as no other woman had ever done; wne
ns'ened with loving eagerness by the nou'
together to his talk Of his studies, his rec
'eatlons, and his father. So the summer
ahd the autumn passed, and she, sweet
simple soul, was 80 happy with her soi
aat faint color Sseurusd to bse faoss sne