Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-03-07
Continued.


did experience some little sense OF re
lief when she saw how beautiful an
graceful the girl was But that wa
soon dissipated, and she was more al
noyed than ever by the expression c
Intense love and fervent admiratio
she saw on her sons face.
There was little chance OF finding
Jaw In a marriage where the HUSBAND
WAS go devoted. There was no flay
either in the manner or behavior o
the young cir. who sat so perfect.
self-possessed, evidently expecting t.
be fetei, and to receive all the atten
ton due to bride.
The dowager had had some vague
idea that she could make her feel how
unwelcOme her presence was by ignor
ing her in the calmly cruel fashion
adopted by fashionable women; blu,
there was no chance OF 1t. No one
could ignore the beautiful, queenly
presence; and. as the dinner pro
crossed, a conviction came to the
elder woman that this was a far more
Iificult case than she had thought.
There were character and deter
mination In the beautiful face; there
we're pride and dignity. although OF a
kind differing from her own; there
was principle; there was plenty OF
individuality. 1t dawned across her
ladyship's mind that this was no
country girl to be crushed and quietly
81 h,xk rtx I'm Nttrt, q
possibly prove more powerful than
herself.
II Violet had been OF her own class,
her mother-inlaw would have re-
toiced In these characteristics. She
would have said Here is one to do
honor to the grand old race" Identi.
fed with one whom in her own mind,
she called "a daughter OF the people.
they were distasteful to her. What
right had the daughter Of country
doctor to have such grace and dignity
and beauty? What right had she to
have such clear musical voice and
refined accent? The more beautiful,
the more attractive the girl, the less
chance there was OF getting rid of her
of hiding her from the world Be
fore dinner was over, the dowager
Lady RIVERS saw plainly enough that
she had a rival to fear.
II cm glad, mother" said Lord
RIVER while dinner was progressing,
that you did not ask any one to meet
us. ! was half afraid you would think
1t needful to have a dinner party"
1T was hardly probable" replied
the dowager. Il never move In the
dark
Violet looked up with a sudden
smile and keen appreciation OF the
little allegory,
why did you smile?" asked the
elder woman
Because | understand perfectly
well what you mean answered
Violet. "You did not invite any one to
meet us because you we're not sure
whether | should be rresentable or
mot"
1t was so exactly the truth. It was
10 exactly the thought which had
passed through her mind and which
she had uttered to Lady Lester, that
there was perfect CONSERVATION for
some few moments. A cannon-ball
falling in their midst could not have
startled them more. IL was the
throwing down OF a gauntlet. which no
one At first picked up. Lord RIVERS
hardly knew whether to admire his
wife's spirit or to regret that she had
30 spoken, The dowager recovered
herself. feeling that IL was kind of
crisis, and that, II she allowed IL to
pass by she would in some measure
have lost ground
You are quite right" she said.
you are quick TO understand. GER
tainly d.j think ii would be better "a
wait short time before sending out
any invitations. think so sim"
did YOU IKE Paris" asked Lady
Lester, anxious to avert q collision
Very much: there is plenty OF life
thorc,' replied Violet Randolph
likes solitude; ] like cities like the
great tide OF human life flowing to aud
fro"
lyon have an active. energetic na
turc perhaps said Lady Lester.
- am afraid | have q great deal ot
eugrEy sail Violet
Ana the Countess of Lcstcr sighed
as though that we're thing deeply t.,
be- dor',ref
'You viii want it an" said Monica
suddenly,
And, N an oracle had spoken. the,
could not have been more surprised
She flushed crimson when she realize,
what she had sail hut the Countess
with unusual good nature. came to IN,
rescue
"Non viii indeed. she agreed. "ana
n Randolph Goes as we have AWAY
wished, and turns his attention {,
politics instead Of painting. YOU vii
not have energy enough
"ln what way wci'' that arec
me- asked Violet
The wife Of great politician or
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