Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-12-21
cHAPETR K.

she had made a great mistake.
Chapter x.
The secret OF true refinement is good
taste"
The consciousness that she had
made a mistake caused Violante to
lose much OF the grace that was nat
ural 20 her.
"Wfu they notice twill even the
servants Iaugh2" she thought 10 her
self
Mrs. SeIwyn looked in calm disap-
prevail OF the gorgeous toilet
Il am afraid you viii be disappoint-
ed. Lady Selwyn." she said You
evidently expected visitors, and by
Viviau's wish we are quite alone"
The fair Young face flushed so deep
~ that Mrs. Selwyn could not pursue
the subject She did not understand
why. but she saw that her daughter
iu-Iaw was fl at ease. Nor did ViO-
Iaute feel much more COmfOrted when
Vivian entered the room, and opened
his eyes fin wonder at her dazzling
su1rud0r. then glanced quickly at the
quiet graceful figure Of Miss Leigh.
There was q smile on the naughty.
beautiful Inns OF that young lady that
made the young wife. she scarcely
knew why. uncomfortable
Dinner is served. said the butler,
and then they went to the dining-rOom,
Lady VIOIante detesting the rustling
flow of her rich white satin as she
swept along
Involuntarily. when the dining-rOOm
was gained. her thoughts flew back TO
the pretty dining-parlOr at home. with
its green. worn carpet. its iowershad-
ed window. its hOmely furniture. and
the Guiet kindly face that always look
ed up with n smile OF welcome for her.
Her dark eyes grew moist with tears,
for the spiendOr OF her new home daz-
zled her.
The dining-rOom was a superb apart
ment-Iarga. lofty. brilliantly lighted;
the huge sidebOardS were one blaze Of
gold and silver plate; the table was
waguifcently set out: servants in
livery were all in attendance. The
Young girl. 20 whom this was al new
and strange. felt her heart sink within
her. and Ionged for the familiar aspect
OF home.
There was a chair at the head Of the
table aHd one at the foot. For mo-
rent there was some little embarrass-
menl. then hrs. Selwyn said:
Lady Selwyn, viii you take your
placer"
II was no wonder that, dazzled by
the unusual spiendOr. she shTank back,
and said timidly:
"Oh. no; pray not now. Indeed,
would rather not"
Again that quiet smile on Miss
Lejgh's face. and Vivian looked at his
wife with q slight expression OF i'm
patience.
Pray be seated. VtOlante." he said;
"of course my mother would not dream
Of taking your place"
Already nervous with the conviction
of the mistake she had made over her
dress; confused. and afraid she had
erred still more by her hesitation in
accepting her rightful place. the young
girl sat down and dinner began.
10 would have been kinder under the
circumstances to have allowed her TO
have her own way. and to have sat
quietly by. until the routine became
familiar TO her What should she
know. POOR child. OF French dishes. Of
rare wines. of eutres2 She. who had
been accustomed to the little dining
uarIor az home. and the attendance of
one maidservant. She. who had her
self superiutended the cooking OF the
homeIy little dinners that pleased ner
father best
she Grew awkward and confused.
She felt that she was not filling her
place with the dignity suited 10 Lady
ScIwyn. Her husband noticed Il, and
tried by kindly words and kindly
smiles 20 UUU her more at her ease.
Yet when he saw Miss Leigh's quiet
eyes strutinizing her. he felt his own
face grow warm. and he half wished
~VfoIaute had been more formed
The two girls presented a great con
trast-there could be no greater; they
were of thu most opposite types Of
beauty. VioIante. fair. with a face OF
lily and rose: golden hair that hung in
ripping waves over her white neck