The Banner-Democrat., 1900-06-16

soul rose in hot rebellion against the fool
Ish words.
How can you speak so?' she cried.
And then, feeling ashamed of her warmth,
she said: ut is not right Of you who
should know better, to teach the young
and the ignorant such q doctrine. Sup
pose were to believe you?
You would do very wise thing, my
DEAR" replied Mrs. Garden, calmly. Il
repeat that to be happy In this world you
must take life more as jest than in earn
est"
CHAPTER XIII.
Beatrix looked forward with some in
terest to her visit to lovely Lady Rayner.
She was out of the common order; there
was something about her different from
the frivolous people who talked about life
as jest.
81 am so glad to see you," said Lady
Rayner, when Beatrix entered her tasty
little boudoir.
If money could give happiness, If mag.
nificence could produce comfort, Lady
Rayner ought to have had it. The little
boudoir in which she sat was exuuisitely
furnished. The hangings were Of violet
velvet and white lace, the carpet had a
white ground with violets lying as though
they had just fallen upon it; there were a
few rare pictures; a masterpiece by Ca
nova stood between the violet velvet hang.
ings; there were few beautiful bronzes
exquisite vases, jardinieres filed with
rarest flowers. Lady Rayner herself was
very lovely, but her face was pale, and
her eyes locked as though she had been
weeping. She held out both hands in
greeting to prince Charles" daughter.
Il am so glad you have come" she said
"Do you know, Miss Lennox, that have
fallen in love with your face-you look SO
true, so earnest; and want friend who
Is truthful and earnest"
81 am truthful" returned candid Bea-
trix-'T come Of a truthful race. 1 am
earnest because cannot help 1t. If you
like me, and want friend, shall be
very pleased to be that friend, Lady Ray
ner."
"Call me Leola," requested the young
wife, with quick shudder-'I like that
name best"
Il will be your friend, Leola," said
Beatrix. Quick, warm pity stirred her
der pity. She bent down and kissed the
pale, sweet face.
Lady Rsyner told her of home in the
country where she amused herself and did
as she liked all day long, Beatrix noting
keenly how pale her face was, how trans
parent were the white hands, how she
strove against the sadness that seemed to
master her; how at times she even forgot
what she was saying, and went off into a
train Of painful thought. Beatrix was
very gentle with her. They were laugh
ing heartily at an escapade of Lady Ray
ner's, when suddenly she rose from her
seat; her face grew white as death. and
her hands trembled.
'That Is my husband" she SAID. 81
thought he left home early this morning.
Beatrix heard the sound of a quick,
shuffiing footstep, the door opened, and
Lord Rayner entered the room. prince
Charles" daughter almost cried out In
surprise as her eyes fell upon him. That
Lord Rayner! Why, he was surely one
of the most insignificant and contemplate
looking men she had ever seen! He was
very little and very fierce; he had par
rot face, with small, twinkling eyes, and q
great hooked nose; and he spoke in nasa
tone. Was this the husband of the SUI
perb blonde who trembled before him? He
did not see Beatrix at first, and In a voice
indescribably fierce and shrill he began:
81 thought told you to write to Javins
about that carriage"
"You did," said his wife, trying to speak
calmly. Il am very sorry, Otho-I quite
m
"You did not forget itW he screamed
"You did it purposely. You knew that
wanted to go to Richmond. You knew
that 1 wanted that particular carriage
1t is your spiteful, jealous temper that
prevented you from writing-and you
shall suffer for it,"
"Otho," said the pale, beautiful woman
"Miss Lennox is here. You do not see
her, think"
The moment he saw the lovely heiress
his manner completely changed-he was
all that was obsequious.
'You will pardon me, Miss Lennox, but
/ have been compelled to assert my pre-
rogative. No one in this miserable house
ever obeys memo one ever attends to mi
wishes--no one studies me-"
Without another word, Lady Raynel
sat down and wrote the note; when 1t was
finished she gave it to her husband tt
read.
Il shall say no more about this now,
he said, with the air Of one who would be
generous; "but the next time / express Q
wish or give a command, see that 1t Ii
carried out-see that you obey"
II will be careful" promised his wife.
"You have spoiled my day." he contin
ued, reyerting again to his wrongs. 81
had intended going to Richmond; really
believe you knew with whom was 60
ing, and were jealous"
He laughed again, with an air Of self
complacency, which made him appear
doubly absurd; and Beatrix thought t.
herself that if he repeated his laugh she
could almost go mad. She looked at the
pale, beautiful woman who was compelled
to hear that laughter whenever he chose
to inflict his presence on her.
"What c0uld have induced her to marry
such a mtnsterT thought Beatrix; ant
then she began to wonder. His mood hat
changed.
II told Hanson to send up a diamond
necklace 1Or you 10 look III, ne sdlo u
his wife, ''they tell me that some Of tn,
imperial stones are in it. You can have 4
If you like it."
Then he rose from his seat, and afte
paying few fulsome compliments to Bea
trix, and salutipg his wife with marked
disdain, quilted the room.
And that" thought Beatrix, SIS a
aan!'
Lady Rsyner turned to her with a look
# great ielief, and, without alludins to
Ter husband, began to talk again about
arlier dayc. Beatrix was greatly inter
sted in her new friend. She stayed long
.r than she had intended, and rose at last
,urriedly to take her leave.
You will come again?" asked Lady
2ayner. .'Or shall come to see you"
whichever will suit you best. You 90
,ut a great deal, should imagine" said