Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-06-20
and Randolph a most devoted son.
wonder what I could dO2"

and Randolph most devoted son.
wonder what l could do?"
''It seems very hopeless state 81
affairs" said Violet. Il do not see
what any one can do"
Nor 1, at present; but am de
termined to do something. Loving
them gives me the right of interfer
ing. I shall ask Lord RIVERS to NEE
me a Athelstone.'
Twill he come, do you Think
asked Violet.
q hope so. He said he would moi
look upon his mothers face again
until he had found his wife. but
shall try my best to induce him t.
come"
What can you do with him there
What is the use of it,"
eff 1 can only reconcile mother and
son, it will be something" said Mis-!
Mari. "Of course in the marriage
question cannot interfere; but love
the dowager Lady RIVERS, and 1 ds
not like to think Of her as unhappy"
What pity it is" remarked
Violet, with a great bitter sigh, ''that
Lord RIVERS did not marry you?"
$50 l Think returned the heiress
Men very seldom marry the right
women, I believe. He has not done
so; but he has paid a heavy price fo1
his mistake. l thing l shall go to
Adhesion today, Miss Beaton The
only regret 1 have is not leaving you
in better health"
81 shall soon be well, hope" said
Violet.
But there was wistful, frightened
look in her eyes that startled Miss
Mari. She took Violet's hand in her
own.
Miss Beaton," she said gently, you
are in trouble? You have been so
kind, SO fall of sympathy for me; you
have listened so patiently to all my
long stories. If you have any trouble
of your own, tell it now to me-"
Il have no trouble in which any
human being can help me-" Violet de-
clared. Il have a trouble known
only to Heaven"
'Ah, what a tangled web of fate she
held in her hands. 1t seemed to
Violet in that moment that Miss Mari
was the only person who could help
her; yet if the beautiful heiress knew
that she was Lord RIVERS wife, she
would probably detest her.
eve shall have a brilliant Christ
mas, no doubt" said Miss Mari.
"The dowager Lady RIVERS is not one
of those who parade their sorrows
before the world. I do hope Lord
RIVERS will come. Bad as things are,
there is no use in mother and son
quarrelling and keeping apart, both
wretched."
mo" replied Violet; there is no
sense in that
II shall go today" repeated Miss
Mari. II have been some time with
grandmamma. She will be quite
happy with you. But, my dear Miss
Beaton, are you quite sure that I can
do nothing to help you? You have
been a good friend to me; I should
like to help you, if it be possible.
wish l were leaving you with more
color in your face, with light in your
eyes. I shall think of you with great
anxiety"
She could not understand the look,
half wistfLl, half fearful, of Violet's
eyes, for she had no key to what was
passing in her mind
81 never make any protestations."
continued the heiress; 'tbut I do say
this to you, Miss Beaton, that I like
you better than any woman I ever
met. There is a charm Of originality
about you"
You make me very happy by say
ing So" answered Violet In her
heart there was a wild cry of wonder
as to whether she would like her if
she knew who she was.
Come with me to my room," said
Miss MART like to superintend my
own packing. I will finish what 1 was
about to say, though. Let us make a
compact of friendship, Miss Beaton.
Let us be friends always"
"You are rich heiress, and I a poor
paid companion. Is it possible, do
you Think" asked Violet gravely.
eve are both women" cried Miss
Mari, ''and we care much for each
other! Why Go you hesitate in giving
me that promise?" She looked not
only surprised, but hurt.
Violet laid her hand on her COM
panion's arm.
Il do promise" she said, ito be
your most loyal and faithful friend,
so far as Our different circumstances
will permit. 1 wonder if you will
ever repent having asked me this?
NO." said the heiress, kissing the
pale, sweet face so wistfully raised to
her own, 81 am sure I never shall.
What a fanciful girl you are!"
To be Continued.