Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-12-14


voice, clear and soft as the sweetest
music, said:
My own mother has been in heaven
so long, l hardly remember her; will
you let me give you the love | should
have given herr"
And before she could answer. two
tender arms were clasped round her
neck, sweet, warm lips touched her
face, leaving her at a loss what to say
or do.
She had intended to be very stately.
to show Lady Selwyn that dignity was
before ease, but the loving touch of
those sweet lis disarmed her. Nature
will speak occasionally; when she
does so, no one can be deaf TO her
voice. So all Mrs. Selwyn's grand
resolves ended in her saying: you
are welcome home, my daughter"
Then her voice faultered, and she
kissed the sweet face with tears in her
eyes.
Beatrice" said Vivian, "let me in
/ troduce you to my wife"
Miss Leigh executed a stately court
esy that would have done honor to
Marie AntOinette for it's imperial
grace. Again it was wasted dignity.
Violante went up to her softly and
shyly
i am so glad to see you" she said
earnestly. Il hope you will like me.
Vivian has talked 50 much of you"
"Violante is a true child of nature"
said Lord Selvyn laughing; "she hopes
you will like her, Beatrice, and she is
not ashamed to say So"
Do as she would Miss Leigh could
not repress the sarcastic smile that
curled her beautiful lips.
Lady Selwyn does me infinite
honor" she said
Then Vivian laughed again.
What society speech. Beatrice. &"
he said; you will brighten my little
wife"
Violante looked from one to the
other with some trepidation.
Il hope have not said anything
wrong, she stammered her face
blushing crimson. Truly it seems so
natural. when one comes to live with
fresh people, to ask for liking"
Natural. Yes" said Miss Leigh /:
that is what amused me. This is
, such an artificial world"
And for the first time Lord Vivian
, looked at his wife. and wondered
, whether the natural simple manner
! that he had always thought so charm
ing, was, after all, a defect
Now" said Mrs. Selwyn. Il am
sure you must require both rest and
refreshment, Lady Selwyn."
The girl looked up at her with a sud
den, half-wistful glance.
DO not call me Lady Selwyn." she
said quickly; my name is Violante."
:. Il must try to remember it, said
Mrs. Selwyn, coldly. 1T is not an
: English name, | think; l do not re-
member to have heard it before"
;, 1T is the most musical name in the
! world" interrupted Vivian.
;, The style of the conversation di =.
not quite please him, and he saw a
nervous, distressed expression on his
wifes face.
Nov, my darling he said. "yoI
will not have much time for dressing.
You look tired already"
As they went up stairs he whispered
to her:
/ Mind, Violante, a recherche toilet.
You must not let Miss Leigh eclipse
you"
He spoke half-jestingly. for in his
own mind, he did not think any one
could ever equal, much less eclipse.
his peerless wife. But she took his
words most seriously.
She was quite unaccustomed to
society. She knew nothing of the
ways of fine ladies'; she was most
utterly ignorant of the manners and
customs of the class with whom for
the future she had to live.
These deficiencies had not been
noticed on the bonny shores of Loeb
Lomond. The time was coming when
they could no longer be hidden.
"A recherche toilet" thought the
young girl. "Ah then l had better
wear satin and diamonds"
She tried to remember what Miss
Leigh wore, but she had been too much
excited to notice. She retained only
vivid impression that the lady in
question looked beautiful and graceful.
She leased her maid. and perplexed
herself, II turned out, after all. that
the maids ideas were better than the
mistress's.
] Indeed, my lady" said the waiting
woman, of course your ladyship
knows best, but | think white satin
and diamonds out of place at small
family dinner; it is not as though
there was a party. lived with Lady
Hemyng, and she never was in full
dress on such occasions"
Usually Violante. Lady Selwyn.
/ profited by Pauline's hints. but now
she said hurriedly:
Lord Selwyn wishes it. You do
not understand"
| To be continued.