Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-01-31

| with a frOwn; still she must hear.
81 and my mother, Violet he con
| tinued, "are concentrated all the
prides you most dislike-pride of race,
of birth, of name She is tall. with q
stately figure, and she moves with
dignifed grace; there is a certain
grandeur about her She is lavishly
generous and kind to all her servants
and dependents. She thinks much Of
| appearances and Of the world; she re-
| joices in splenGor, and knows nothing
of the dark side of life; she has a
grand, condescending fashion of deal
ing with her interiors; she was a most
excellent wife; she has been most
devoted mother. You will find her
still a beautiful woman. although
she is no longer young. Do you like
the sketch. Violet?" he asked, anxious
| ly.
81 am afraid" she said. that in
everything she is antagonistic to my
self. Tell me where she lives. and
all about her.
"She has lived principally at
Ryversdale," he went on. RIVERS
dale is the home of our race. My
father died when l was quite young,
and I was for many years what is
called a minor; my mother was a kind
Of queen-regent. She lived at the
castle-Ryversdale is a castle; and
she managed everything, all the
estates and their revenues. She has
wonderful talent for government
and administration. She has an es-
tate of her own. called Alton-Hall. and
during the last year she has lived al
most entirely there. My mother IS
one Of those who go to Court
regularly. She would not miss a
Drawing-room on any consideration,
and she is, believe, a great favorite
with the Queen"
Again the delicate brows were
daintily arched. Lord RIVERS did not
pause to chide. but fastened on.
There is not much more to tell
you. My mother always looks like
picture just out of a frame. She has
three weaknesses-rich black velvet,
fine point lace, and rare diamonds"
Tell me-" said Violet, thoughtfully;
what would your mother say 20 or
think of woman like Mrs. Car
stOne?"
Lord RIVERS laughed.
"They could not live in the same
hemisphere" he answered. "She
would be an impossible woman to my
mother
would Lady Rgvers patronize
herr" asked Violet.
mo, I think not. She would not
tolerate her. My mother is the very
ideal Of weE-bred, dainty refinement"
Il should like Mrs. Carstone best,
said contradictory Violet.
81 care little whom you like, if you
Will only love me-"
"And your mother, being what she
is, said Violet, mo doubt wished you
to narry some one like herself
The supplemented young man fell
into the neat little trap laid for him,
MY mother wished me to marry
Gwendoline MARI" he said.
THAT will make is doubly unpleas-
ant for me-" said Violet. ''if ever L
should know her. Now I have a fair
idea of your mother. tell rne about
your sisters"
THAT will be easier" he said.
'Thcy are not at all complex charac-
ters. My elder sister, Lady Lester, is
one Of those calm. serene woman. the
contemplation of whom gives repose
She holds a very high position in
English society. Now, Violet, darling,
DO not draw those pretty brows. Her
husband, the Earl of Lester, has a
beautiful place at Drayham, and they
are, l suppose very happy. Lady
Lester has great influence over my
mother. She is like her in feature;
they are both handsome women.
Lady Lester is very much admired
and is very popular. She always
seems far above the world. above all
common ways. Her eyes are grand,
calm, and serene; her voice is low,
and very sweet"
Shall be the proper kind Of
sister-infaw for one OF so exalted
nature?"' she asEed
He detected the irony in her woice,
and colored family. He knew tkat he
had done wrong in speakingo09 his
sister in ffattering terms
~is she proud, this Laly LesGer?"
asked Vio4eG, suddenly.
Me- sIe it too serene 80 be either
proud or gElin," said Lard RIVERS.
Monica is my younger sister. I do
not know heg SO we'll; hex character
is hardly formed. My mosher finds
fault with hea' becaCse she is neither
an Alton nor a Ryvers-tIret is she
does not resemble either site of the
family. Another thing my mother
complains of 5n her is her want CT
what she calls proper pride"
To be continued.