Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-02-14
Continued.

d..
called St. Michael's Well, which at one
time had been almost shrine in It's
way. 1t was the most curious OF all
old wells, lying deep and dark in
huge cave, fed by a subterranean
current of water that was always
fresh and always clear The Castle
was worthy of the grounds. 1t had
been used for almost every purpose.
It had been fortified in time o. war; II
had been the dower-house Of queen;
it had once been the refuge OF dis
crowned king; now 1t was peaceful
home Of peaceful race, and a very
beautiful home too No element or
the quaint or picturesque was want
ing; the battlemented towers and tall
turrets, the rich carvings, the great
oriel windows, the grand sweep OF the
arches, the beauty of the white ter
races all made up picture that. once
seen, was never forgotten. The in
terror was equally beautiful. The
rooms were light large, and lofty
snperbly furnished with treasures of
art collected by many generations.
Ryorsdale was one of those grand
and luxurious homes not to be found
out of England, and thoroughly appre-
ciated by its owners.
One morning at the end of October
the family were gathered together IN
the Castle. 1t was chilly. and Lady
RIVERS had ordered fires In all the
rooms. The great drawing-room, which
had once been the stateroom of
queen. presented picture OF comfort
and splendor not often seen 1t had
been Lady RIVERS pleasure that this
spacious and magnificent apartment
should be furnished in white and
gold. There was no other color; moth
ing married that magnificent harmony.
The ceiling was superbly painted; the
walls were panelled in white and
gold the pictures were the finest
works of modern art; while statues
stood on golden pedestals. The car
pet was of white velvet pile. the
furniture was covered in white velvet,
and the hangings were OF rich white
velvet, embroidered with gold. The
works of art were treasures brought
from every land; but pehaps the most
remarkable, certainly the most beauti-
FIJI feature was the quantity OF choice
an fragrant dollhouse flowers stand
ing in the jardinieres. The dowager
Lady RIVERS was accustomed to say
that the love for culture OF flowers
was a sure sign OF a refined mind. 1t
was character istic OF her that where
ever she Went and wherever she lived,
she was surrounded by flowers.
There was no smile on her lady
ships face this morning. The Octo-
Der sun shone on the white terraces,
the light flashed on the river; there
was pleasant musical sound from a
small fountain the rich odor Of white
hyacinths filed the room, and the
cheerful light of the fire added n rich
glow of warmth; yet not one of these
comforts, Injuries, or beauties brought
a smile to her ladyship's face.
Here heart was troubled within her
Yesterday the fair naughty face had
hardly line upon 1t; today there
were several The greatest sorrow Of
her life had bcfalen her. and she
knew not how to meet it. Yesterday
she was the proudest mother in Eng
land. today the naughty head was bent
low. Yesterday she spoke of her son
with pride, today she would not wills
per his name even TO herself. Yes
terday she had looked with serene
h1 ~ I
the old walls. the faces of the Ladies
RIVERS long since dead; today the
pictured eyes seemed TO mock her
Yesterday she could have declared
that in her whole life she had known
no cloud; today il seemed TO her as
though the darkness of her grief aud
the shadow of shame would never
pass away Only this morning she
hal received a letter from the son she
idoli2ed, the son on whom all her
hopes had been fixed. telling her that
he was married. that he mad been mar
ried a whole year, and that he was
bringing his wife hcme to Ryyersdale,
whore he begged his mother and
sister to meet them. He added that
his Wife Violet was tho daughter of
doctor IA simple beautiful girl, with
on, fortune but with the grace and
loyelinss5 of "a queen.
Lady RIVERS was in London with
her daughter Monica when she re.
ceiFed the letter she rcaa t. ana sat
for some time in a stupor OF pain aad
wonder The marriage of her daugh.
ters had been a matter OF great mo-
ment 70 her. but the marriage OF her
son was of far greater Importance. II
was the pivot on which ai} her life was
to turn She could not believe or
realize what she read Randolph had
always been the most ubediept aud de-
voted OF sons 10 her. They had
agreed ON every subject except one
that was his devotion to art The
choice and the purchase of pictures