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

CHAPTER VII.
One days residence at the old Grange
proved to Peter Lennox that he had NOR
difficulties in his way than he had dream
I'd OF. He was struck by Beatrix's char
acter. She had strength of will, firmness
self.reliance: he could hardly imagine tina
she was prince Charles" daughter. Il
her father had had but 1.-THE of her firm
ness he would never have been ruined.
Ihe shrewd, keen man of business, wht
had passed his life in accumuatina
money, understood the rare character Of
beatrix Lennox better than her gentl,
mother. To her the girls proud. stormy
passionate nature, with its keen loves
Its keen hates, its great mistakes, Its
6aults springing from a noble source, wa.
all sealed book. Peter Lennox saw
and understood better the qualities of tina
noble nature. He contented himself for Q
time at Strathnarn by supplying the two
ladies with all the Injuries of life. He
decided not to introduce his beautiful
niece to society until he had taught her
at Erceldean the chief lesson of her life.
The day of their return to Erceidean
was day never forgotten. 1t seemed
as though heaven itself sympathized with
them. The skies had never appeared so
blue, the sun had never seemed to shine
20 brightly, the world was all fair. Peter
Lennox, with his new and beautifully ap-
pointed carriage, his magnificent roans,
his well-trained servants, was at the sta
ton TO meet them He looked excited
and pleased.
So the sweet young daughter, In all
the proud loneliness of her race, and the
gentle mother whose heart had saddened
BY 20 5erty, went back in triumph to their
old home. They drove underneath arches
where the word Welcome" looked down
upon Them, past crowds of people who
cried, Welcomed! and some of them
added. Thank heaven, we see your lady
ships face again. amid the music of
bells and the cheers of a rejoicing crowd.
Even the little children had gathered
great handfuls of harebells and flung
them before them. 1t was indeed royal
welcome home.
"Beatrix," said Peter Lennox that even
ing, IF any one placed jewel of great
price in your hand, and asked you to
guard it. you would carefully preserve it,
would you notT"
Yes, indeed, wouldv' she replied; and
the firm, earnest, musical voice filed his
heart with hope. He took both her hands
IN his. He held them open and looked
ct them.
"Beatrix." he said gently, II am going
10 do that very thing. These hands of
yours, 30 warm, 30 soft, so white, must
benceforth hold all the honor and credit.
Ill the well-being and responsibility, all
the hope and the future of your race.
fou, Beatrix Lennox, must be heiress of
Erceldean, and the grand old race of
Lennox must revive In you. viii you
take the trust? p
Il will, uncle" she replied.
Those who would succeed in any one
purpose in these degenerate times must
set to work with almost savage earnest
ness. You must do the same. No mat
ter what comes, you must always say to
yourself, 'Erceldean frst--the Lennoxes
trst-everything must give way to
them"
ut SHALL" she replied, with simple
sarnestness. Il shall love my life better
IL 1t has to be spent for others than If
It had to be spent entirely for myself"
She did not foresee then to what those
words committed her.
Society welcomed Beatrix Iennox as It
had welcomed her uncle, with open arms.
Peter Leunox had spared no expense. He
had taken the position In society which
became millionaire. He had purchased
. house In Belgravia: it had been fur
nished and decorated in a most superb
manner.
The great world talked Of Peter Len
nox, prince Charles" brother-the
brothar whom all had believed to have
been drowned-who had made an i'm
mense fortune In America. He had re-
turned to England, sought out his niece
and made her his heiress. Almost every
one had some recollection Of prince
Charlie" They would not have avowed
It had his brother not returned a million
aire. That made a wonderful difference.
Even the Duchess of Emslie--the proud
peeress who had officiated as godmother
to prince Charles" daughter, yet who
had declined to answer an appeal made
BY Lady Lennox-came to welcome them.
1t was a new and pleasant life that
Peter Lennon, with his sister and niece,
led in London. The Belgravian mansion
was one Of the most spacious in London,
and certainly one Of the most splendid.
They were a very united family. Peter
Iennox always breakfasted with the two
ladies.
After breakfast he went invariably to
his library, a large room, all crimson and
oak, with richly stained glass windows.
There he read and answered his letters,
sed his business affairs. and had in
terviews with his solicitors; there he spent
che quietest, happiest hours of his life,
always studying what he could do for the
benefit of his estate, studying what would
best conduce to the glory Of the Lennoxes
of Erceldean.
"How you love Erceldean, uncle" said
Beatrix one morning, as she followed him
70 the library and there saw q map of
the estate spread out on the writing Ia
bic.
ayes" be replied. 'Erceldean is my
child. as it were, my study, my own love;
70 add to its greatness is my chief de-
light"
"Yet II seems a lonely life for you, I'M
Gle" said the young girl. and her arm
now stole gently round bis neck. ITO live
Tor the honor OF name. TO plan and think