Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-14
Continued.

the sea, and partly from the old wei
called st. Michaels Well, which at one
time had been almost a shrine in its
way 1t was the most curious of al
old wells, lying deep and dark in {
huge cave, fed by subterranear
current of water that was always
fresh and always clear. The Castle
was worthy of the grounds. 1t haC
been used for almost every purpose
1t had been fortified in time OF war; il
had been the doWer-house of a queen;
it had once been the refuge of dis
crowned king; now it was a peaceful
home of a peaceful race, and a very
beautiful home too. No element of
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 a picture that, once
seen, was never forgotten. The in
terror was equally beautiful The
rooms were light, large, and lofty,
superbly furnished with treasures of
art collected by many generations.
Ryersdale 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 Tho crraot n ra win 0-roor, VIII io],
had once been the stateroom of a
queen, presented q picture of comfort
and splendor not often seen. It 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
from every land; but pehaps the most
remarkable, certainly the most beauti-
full feature was the quantity of choice
and 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 characteristic 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 a pleasant musical sound from a
small fountain the rich odor of white
hyacinths filled the room, and the
cheerful light Of the fire added a rich
glow of warmth; yet not one of these
comforts, Injuries, or beauties brought
smile to her ladyships face.
Here heart was troubled within her.
Yesterday the fair naughty face had
hardly a line upon it; today there
We're several. The greatest sorrow of
her life had befallen 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 whis-
per his name even to herself Yes
terday she had looked with serene
eyes on the pictured faces that graced
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 it seemed to her as
though the darkness of her grief and
the shadow of shame would never
pass away Only this morning she
had received a letter from the son she
idolized, the son on whom all her
hopes had been fixed, telling her that
he was married. that he had been mar
ried a whole year, and that he was
bringing his wife home to Ryversdale,
where he begged his mother and
sister to meet them. He added that
his wife Violet was the daughter of
doctor, a simple, beautiful girl, with
out fortune, but with the grace and
loneliness of a queen.
Lady RIVERS was in London with
her daughter Monica when she re-
ceived the letter. She read it, and sat
for some time in a stupor of pain and
wonder. The marriage of her daugh-
ters had been a matter of great mo-
ment to her. but the marriage of her
son was of far greater Importance 1t
was the pivot on which ali her life was
TO turn. She could not believe or
realize what she read. Randolph had
always been the most obedient and de-
voted of sons to her. They had
agreed on every subject except one
that was his devotion to art. The
choice and the purchase of pictures
was right enough; but, according to
her ladyships creed, the painting of
them was quite another thing. She
would far rather that her son had en-
ployed his time in any other fashion:
still she was patient. because it was
the only fault she had to find with
him. And now he had taken the most
important step in life without consult
Wg her; he had married without even
asking her approval of his choice. and
she felt Justly aggrieved. When she
had read the letter through again, she
rang the bell.
Tell Miss RIVERS that wish to see
her, she said to the servant who an