Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-09-20

Continued.

musical the sound of falling water is
In the moonlight that fall makes a
beautiful picture, and | often come here
to look at it. l sometimes think it
was through just such wood as this
that poor Queen Guinevere rode with
the handsome knight by her side; but
my aunt says that all fancies are
ridiculous, and that we ought to think
only Of what is real"
This world is beautiful enough" he
said; but l almost think the world OF
fancy is more beautiful still"
Violet gave quick, glad smile. 1t
was SO delightful to have some taste III
common.
By this time Randolph, Lord RIVERS,
had completely lost his heart. He
thought that this was the most nat
ural, beautiful, graceful girl he had
ever seen, and that she completely out
shone all the great ladies Of his &C
quaintance His heart beat fast as he
looked at her.
But there was no thought Of love in
Violet BeatOn's mind or heart She
had an idea that she was not acting in
the most prudent manner possible
though it was delightful to talk to
some one who was young like herself
Presently a change came over her
exquisite face-a shadow fell upon it.
II understand" she said, what it Is
to lead a life OF repression I have
little time to myself; and everything l
like best | have to deny myself. In
our house everything goes on like
machinery; we do the same thing
every day at the same time. | do not
remember the least variety or any
brake in the monotony for years"
"And you have never been from ST
Bynos in your life?' he repeated
1t seemed to him a most extrarodin-
airy thing to have lived always in e
same place
MY mind and heart and brain
travel" she said There will come d
change into my life some day. have
often thought about the time when l
shall go out into the great world" and
the beautiful eyes looked as though
they fain would pierce the mists which
obscured the future.
Lord RIVERS was at loss what to
say to her; yet he was afraid to re-
main silent, lest she would declare that
it was time to go
Did they call you Violet" because
of the color of your eyes?" he asked.
No" she Iaughed my mother gave
mo the name because she was par
ticuIarly found Of violets. All my Of
lenses, in my aunt's eyes, are summed
up in that name, Violet"
do you know the poem of the
Queens Marys'?" asked Lord RIVERS.
"Your name reminds me of it, 1t be-
gins
""There was Mary Beaton, and Mary
Seaton,
And Mary Carmichael, and me-
Are you descended from those same
Beatons?'
Il should think not; l should hope
not" she replied
Hope not! Why?" he asked.
She looked round at him with i'm
patient scorn, her face ~ushed, her eyes
shining.
II have strong likes and dislikes,'
she replied; but, if there is one thing
| dislike more than another it is what
you cali-you people who live in the
outer world, | mean-the aristocracy."
He shrunk bach as though she had
struck him
What an extraordinary thing!" he
said. Why should you hate them?
What have the aristocracy done to
you?"
Nothing to me-" she answered.
But during the winter nights, while
Aunt Alice and I sit sewing, she tells
me stories of the aristocracy. Aunt
Alice has seen a great deal of life and
she retaiIs her experience for my
benefit"
Il think the-the arstocracy quite
as good rs their neighbours" he said.
THAT is because you do not know
them" she remarked triumphantly.
You have lived your life amongst the
beauties Of art and nature. What
should You know Of the follies, the
sins. the idle, useless. frivolous lives of
aristocrats?"
why, I belong to them!" he was
about to say. when he suddenly remem-
bered that it would be very bad policy
bl Ills par W tel uGi ILldl uG was al
aristocrat. seeing that she had openly
proclaimed her dislike of them. So he
answered quietly, IF you will teach
me, I will dislike them also"
Dislike comes by instinct, not by
training or teaching" she remarked;
and then she added, hurriedly, Il must
go; and Lord RIVERS felt all at once a
new and strange feeling of desolation.
I must go" repeated Violet Beaton.
This is just the time that Aunt Alice
takes a solemn promenade round the
fower-garden. l carry the basket
whilst she cuts the dead leaves from
their stalks and otherwise does a little
amateur gardening"
You will let me see you again. y
Lord RIVERS urged; you will not
refuse?"
Il pass by here often,' she answered
and | shall be glad to see how youl
pictures progresses. If l were in your
place I should devote the morning t
getting that sunshine right"
He thought to himself that this the
most eventful morning of his life would
be spent in dreams of her.
Il am very unwilling to say goo
morning. Miss Beaton; but 1 say it
hoping that may enjoy the happiness
of renewing our acquaintance to
; morrow
l.,