The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-06-09


seems a cold. hard, lonely life for you
uncle"
She saw a sharp culver of pain pas
over his FACET was gone in a moment
and then he laid his hand upon her head
Il love you, Beatrix-you are my chile
and my heiress-I love you and you
mother"
But, uncle" she continued, you woult
not be human if you did not long for tie.
of your own-a wife to love you, childre,
to love you" d.
He held up his hand with a warnin:
gesture. His face grew white and his lip.
trembled.
You have secret in your life, uncle,
she said-"I know i'll have Away:
thought so-a secret. 1t is in your face
there are such sad lines round your lips
and on your brow-lines such as a secre
makes and leaves"
"Yes, you are right, Beatrix-I have &
secret; but the grave is closed over it. Dc
not talk of it, my dear-you would moi
love me better If you knew it. was moi
human when / was young, l was cas-
iron, granite. committed no crime, but
-there-do not talk of it, Beatrix."
He rose from his chair as he spoke and
stood quite still for a few moments She
watched him. Presently his manner
changed completely. He turned to the
writing table, and took up large white
eny eiope with a crest upon it.
''This is from the Duchess of Elmslie
Beatrix, take it 10 your mother and see
what she says"
| Lady Lennox was in the drawing room
when Beatrix Joined her. She wondered
what the duchess had to say. 1t was soon
known. The brief letter ran:
Dearest Lady Lennox-Do not forget
my ball on Thursday night. You seemed
doubtful about coming. Try to come. Let
Beatrix be certain to do so. Dress her in
the most bewitching fashion. Some one
whom / like very much is anxious to meet
her."
"Who can that beT' said Lady Lennox,
as she finished reading the note. "Of
course you must go, Beatrix, and equally
of course ! must take you"
MY grandmother is very imperative"
remarked Beatrix, with a smile.
1t was settled that she was to go; and
Lady Lennox, made slightly anxious by
the little note, was more than usually
careful about her daughters dress. She
chose one of the palest and daintiest Of
rose silks embroidered with white flow
ers; the faint rose hue enhanced the won
drous beauty of the perfect face. With
the superb dress Beatrix would have no
flowers but white ones-white heath,
white roses and white lilies mixed. She
would have no jewels but pearls-white,
pure and shining.
1t was late when Lady Lennox and
Beatrix reached the ball room. The Ouch
ess Of Elmsiie greeted them warmly.
II had begun to fear that YOU would
disappoint me-" she said; and then her
keen eyes took in every detail Of Bea-
trix's exquisite toilet. A warm smile Of
approval lighted her face.
Il must not say all that I think" she
said; but l am proud Of my godchild.
Beatrix, for the last week the Duke Of
Heathland has been following me like a
shadow. Can you guess whyT'
mo, / am not clever at guessing" she
replied.
"He wants to be introduced to you,"
she said; "and / have promised to oblige
him."
II have never heard of the Duke of
Heathland," remarked Beatrix. 10 her
no designation was SO great or SO noble as
that of Lennox Of Erceldean.
Never heard Of him. said her grace
"That seems almost to assume that he
does not exist; nevertheless, he is n very
great man, Beatrix."
us hep she asked, csrelessly. For
his own sake l am very glad to hear it,
Presently stately head was bowling
before her, and a deep. rich voice whisper
ing how pleased and delighted the speak
err was to have at last the honor he had
longed for; and Bea trix, raising her eyes,
found that the duchess had introduced
the Duke of Heathland to her. She look
ed at him steadily, and, as she looked,
admired him. He was somewhat like the
heroes she had pictured to herself He
seemed very noble with his stately head
Beatrix was pleased with him. They
walked down the ball room together, and
as they passed people said what a noble
couple they were-the proud young Scotch
beauty and the stately Duke of Heath
land. The Duchess of Elmslie gazed after
them with great self-complacency.
II think that will do" she said to her
self. II may have neglected Prince
Charles daughter in the years gone by;
but, if j help to make her Duchess of
Heathland, shall more than atone for it.
l think the duke is about well matched
with Beatrix. They will be one of the
noblest pairs in England"
The duke was charmed with Beatrix.
He was proud man, this Duke of Heath
land; all his life he had done as he liked
he had been under no control, known no
master. His father Hubert, the four
teenth Duke of Heathland, died when his
son was only three years old, his mother
died when he was seven, and during that
long minority he was under the charge of
a most indulgent guardian. But that his
nature was originally noble, he must have
been completely spoiled.
Beatrix was very partial to him. 1t
pleased her to hear him discuss literature
and politics--to hear him discuss music
and musicians, art and artists. She en-
joyed his society. Whenever she heard
that the Duke of Heathland was to be at
any ball or soiree she gave it the prefer
ence. while the Duchess Of Elmslie watch
ed in silent patience.
CHAPTER VIII.
IL