Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-02

all that was to arise from that invita-
ton, or the great events that were to
spring from so slight cause.
CHAPTER Kill
Lock said Violet-a1d she hello
out a thin white hand to Mrs. Car
stone-'ycu see have done it myself
If Judge and jury, or whoever tries
such cases, can say that l am no,
married, can say so myself"
The hand she held out had no we'd
ding-ring on it. She had removed it,
and seemed to consider that she had
by that means in some degree re
leased herself.
My dear Violet" said the kindly
mistress of Ingleshaw, how foolish
you are. Nothing so trifiing can undo
a marriage"
Il used to think So replied Violet;
but, if Lady RIVERS, with lawyers
and Queens Council, can manage it,
why should not I?''
Il wish you would think differently
of your husband" said Mrs. Carstone.
Il do not wonder that you should be
very angry with the dowager Lady
RIVERS; but I see no cause for anger
against her SON.
On every point visitor and hostess
agreed, except this one. Mrs. Car
stone admired Lord RIVERS very much.
and could not see that he had done
wrong. Against his mother, for act
ing what she felt to be cruel part
she was most indignant; the young
husband, who seemed to adore his
beautiful wife, was blameless in her
eyes.
1t was happy accident by which
Violet had met Mrs. Carstone.
Where should you have gone and
what should you have done,' asked
Mrs. Carstone. -'if we had not metz
Il cannot tell" she replied. Il am
thankful to Heaven that I met you,
Mrs. Carstone; I could not have
found kinder friend"
Il should never rest" declared the
elder lady, until we are friends again
with that handsome young husband
of yours. I shall never forget the way
in which he watched you always"
He has looked his last on me-" said
Violet.
She had refused to be called Lady
Ryvers;" She would not hear the
name.
My husbands mother wished to de-
prive me of it, she said scornfully;
Il will give it up now of my own free
will. l will be Violet Beaton all the
rest of my life"
You are very wilful, Violet re.
you will be most surely sorry for the
way in which you have given up your
husband"
The mistress of Ingleshaw was much
amused when she saw how untiring
Violet pored over the newspapers. She.
who had barely heard the word "di.
vorce," now read most Of the divorce
reports which appeared in the news
papers; but amongst them all there
was no dispute between husband and
wife like her own.
Those days at Ingleshaw were not
unpleasant
How little I dreamed" said Violet
to Mrs. Carstone one morning, that
should ever seek refuge with you.
How we talked about Ingleshaw! How
l wondered where you would find room
for all the things Mr.. Carstone and Mr.
Oscar bought. Now they do not seem
SO many, because your place is SO
large"
Mrs. CarstOne was very proud Of her
beautiful home. 1t was strange that
Violet, who had so deeply resented
the dowager Lady RIVERS pride in
Ryversdale, never grew angry with
her hostess. She had declined with
naughty pride to examine the family
treasures at Ryversdale. She did not
care to see the silver goblet from
which Queen Elizabeth had drunk. She
did not care for the old silver candle
stick used by Marie Stuart. She
would not even look at an old missal
that belonged to the Merrie Monarch
These things had no value in her eyes;
but when Mrs. Carstone took her to
see the various treasures of Ingle-
shaw, she was delighted with them
she, who had been so impatient with
the pride and hauteur of Lady RIVERS,
simply laughed at the pride of Mrs.
Carstone.
The days passed pleasantly because
she could forget all about Ryversdale.
Mrs. Carstone was an excellent hos
tess; her one idea was to make Violet
happy. No one knew her; she was
always addressed as Miss Beaton She
was much beloved by all the house
hold; her beautiful face won their
hearts Her manner was so kind and
gentle; they wished madam had such
a daughter; they wished their young
master would bring home such a wife
To be Continued.