Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-04-26
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
"What is ity' says Lady Swansdown
hsrshly. why do you look at me like
that? Has it come to a close between US
isabel? Oh! if so''-vehemently-"it ii
better so.'
The scene is the Court, and the guests
have lust left the dinner table.
81 don't think I understand you, sayi
LADY Baltimore, who has grown very
white. Her tone is naughty; she hat
drawn back little as if to escape from
contact with the other.
"Ab, That is so like you," says Lady
Swansdown with a rather fierce little
laugh. You pretent. pretend, pretend
from morning till night. You intrenct
yourself behind your pride, and
You know what you are doing, Bea'
trice," says Lady Baltimore, ignoring thi,
outburst completely, and speaking IN
calm. level tone. yet with face like mar
bic.
'.Yes. and you know, too" says Lady
Svansdown. Then, with an overwhelm'
ing vehemence: why don't you do some
thing? Why don't you assert yourselfE
II shall never assert myself" says Lady
Baltimore, slowly.
'You mean that whatever comes yor
will not interfere"
That exactlyr' turning her eyes full OF
10 the others face with a terrible disdain
81 shall never interfere in this-or any
other of his firtations!'
1t is sharp stab! Lady Swansdowr
winces visibly.
What a woman you areT cries she
Have you ever thought Of 1t, Isabel.
You are unjust to him-unfair. YOU
possionately-"treat him as though he
were the dust beneath your feet, and ye'
you expect him to remain immaculate. fol
your sake-pure as any acolyte-a thing
Of ice"
NO" coldly. You mistake me. ]
know too much of him to expect perfec-
tion-nay, common decency from him
But you-it was you whom l hoped to find
immaculate"
"You expect too much, then. One ice
berg in our midst is enough, and that you
have kindly suggested in your own per
son. Put me out of the discussion alto
gether."
"Ah! you have made that impossible! !.
cannot do that. l have known you too
long. l have liked you too well. 1 have
with swift but terrible glance at her.
"loved your
Isabel
NO. no! Not a word 1t is too late
nowi'
True" says Lady Swansdown, bring.
Ing back the arms she had extended and
letting them fall with a sudden dull vehe
mence to her sides. Her agitation Is un-
controlled. That was so long ago that
no doubt. you have forgotten all about it.
You" bitterly, have forgotten a good
deal"
And you," says Lady Baltimore, very
calmly, what have you not forgotten
your self-respecr," deliberately, "amone
other things"
Take care, take carev' says Lady
Swansdown. in a low tone. She has turn
ed furiously
Why should take care?" She throws
up her small head scornfully. Have
said one word too much?"
TOO much, indeed" says Lady Swans
down, distinctly, but family. She turns
her head, but not her eyes, in Isabers di
rectiOn. I'm afraid you will have to en-
dure for one day longer" she says in 8
low voice; after that you shall bid me
farewell forever"
You have come to a wise decision
says Lady Baltimore, immovably.
There is something so contemptuous In
her whole bearing that 1t maddens the
other
How dare you speak to me like thatT
cries she, with sudden violence not to be
depressed. You of all others! Do you
think you are not in fault at all-that you
stand blameless before the worldT'
The blood has famed into her pale
cheeks, her eyes are on fire. She ad
vances toward Lady Baltimore with such
passion Of angry despair in look and
tone that involuntarily the latter retreats
before her.
"Who shall blame me?' demands Lady
Baltimore, haughtily.
II for one. Icicle that you are, how
can you know what love means? You
nave no heart to feel, no longing to for
give. And what has he done to you !
Nothing-nothing that any other woman
would not gladly condone."
lou are partisan says Lady Balti
more, coldly. You would plead his cause
and to NE. You are violent, but that does
NOT put you in the right. What do yor
Know Of Baltimore that l do not know
by what right do you defend him?'
ihere Is such thing as friendship
Is thcreE says the other with deet
meaning. rs there, Beatrice? Oh! think
-thihk. a little bitter smile curls tho
corners Of her lips. That you should ad.
'oca'e the cause Of friendship to me-" says
she her words falling with cruel scorr
one by one slowly from her lips.
@ lou think me false" says Lady
nWanSdown. She is terribly agitated
mere was an old friendship between us
know that feel it. You think me
altogether false to itT'
think of you as little as can help. y
1d!S isabel, contemptuously. why should
waste thought on youT'
lFue! Why, indeed! One so capable
Vi controlling her emotions as you are
need never give way to superfluous oil
useiess thoughts. Still, give one to Balti
'iort, ~ Is our last conversation togeth
therefore bear with me-hear me. Al
N'a SINS lie IN the past. He
lon must be mad to talk to me lik,
~, Interrupts Isabel. 6Dsbing crimson
c., ne asked you to intercede for him
Ios. ven ne 70 so far as that? Is it q
Won .L lsut! What are you to him that
cr;a. 'nus adopt his cause? Answer mev'
no. .' sne' imperiously; all her coldness
sol. stern determination to suppress her.
.t,- seems broken I'D.
hooai returns Lady Swansdown
hs calmer as she notes the Others
thing 'enemence. II never shall be any
terfsr. ! nave but one excuse for my In