Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-02-14

had read the letter through again, she
rang the bell.
Tell Miss RIVERS that I wish to see
her." she said to the servant who an
swered it,
A few minutes afterward Monica
RIVERS entered the room where her
mother awaited her.
Monica" ssid Lady RIVERS, read
that. 1t has broken my heart"
Monica took the letter from her
mothers hand. She read 1t carefully,
ard then looked with wondering eyes
into her mothers face.
Randolph married, mamma! What
a strange thing that he never wrote to
tell you Of his intent And he has
married stranger"
ut has broken my heart" repeated
Lady RIVERS. ITO think that he
should have chosen the daughter of a
country doctor, and he might have
married Gwendoline Mari! l shall
never face the world again, Monica. "
If she had heard that her only son
had committed a forgery or a murder,
Lady RIVERS could not have been
more affected. "a penniless, name
less stranger" she said-"and he my
only son! He has spoiled his life; he
has indeed, Monica"
Mamma" said the girl, 81 have
never seen tears in your eyes before;
that distresses me more than Ran
dolph's marriage"
'He was SO gifted. He had large
fortune and brighter prospects than
any young man / know; handsome,
gifted, heir to grand old name and a
grand old estate, yet he has spoiled
his life by marrying a doctors daugh-
ter. My dear Monica. words fail me-"
Dear mamma, she may not be so
bad IL she is very beauti-
full"
'Hush!" said Lady RIVERS, with an
imperious gesture. II must bear my
troubles as the Ryverses of old bore
world is my battlefield. This is my
first great defeat; must bear it. But
do not offer me any weak words of
consolation; for a sorrow like mine
there are none. My only son, my
only SOM"
"You should have received this
letter two days since, mamma" said
Monica. ut has been sent here from
Mount Avon. Today is All Hallows'
Eve"
Then we must go by the first train
this morning. Send a telegram to
|Draynham, asking Marguerite to meet
us. Do not tell her what is wrong;
1t might distress her."
So II was arranged that Lady
RIVERS and her daughter should travel
to Rysverdale that same day.
I'VE shall be in plenty of time to
meet them" said Lady RIVERS with
the calm of despair. IF they are
coming from Paris, as | understand
from Randolph's letter, they cannot
reach Ryversdale tonight. l am not a
woman given to emotion" she added;
but | cannot realize that l am going
to see my sons wife"
CHAPTER xxx.
In the drawing-rom at Ryversdale
Lady RIVERS sat awaiting what in her
heart she "ailed her doom. Monica
had done ie~ best; but, finding that
all attempts at consolation only made
her mother more irritable, she left her
alone. Lady Lester was expected.
and the youngest daughter trusted
much to the influence of the elder.
one, to her calm wisdom, her serene
manner of dealing with all difficulties.
Hard thoughts must have been in
Lady RIVERS heart, for they were
written on her face when her two
daughters entered the room.
The Countess of Lester had just
reached Ryversdale. and was anxious
to know what was the matter. She
went up to her mother and embraced
her.
Il am afraid you are in trouble,
she said, calmly. so calmly
that her words contrasted curiously
enough with her face and manner.
You must be, or you would not have
telegraphed for me. Arthur wanted
very much TO come with me; but IL
was impossible. had to travel with
Fisher. What is wrong, mamma?
You are not i'll yourself, | am glad TO
see."
Did you think was?" asked Lady
Ryvers.
Al times like these. when she felt
irritable, the calm serenity of her fear
less daughter tried her just a little.
There was enough resemblance be-
tween Lady RIVERS and the Countess
OF Lester to show they were mother
and daughter. They had the same
dark imperial beauty. the same grand
carriage, the same delicate brows and
exquisite profile; but tho character OF
Lady RIVERS beauty was pride. that
of Lady Testers serenity. Lady
RIVERS was wonderfully preserved
woman who looked ten years younger
than she really was.
On this morning Lady Lester looked
especially well. She wore a graceful,
dress of Indian silk and neat Partisan
bonnet that rendered her IL possible
more charming.
She had been summoned to meet
her mother; but she stood there, calm.
unrufiled, no wonder in her lovely