Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-11-30

And now, Vivian" she said, "what
is the surprise?"
Again she flushed.
"That is the very thing | was wait
ing to speak Of he replied. Il hope
you will be pleased to listen to my
story-pleased as | am to tell it"
20, then, the surprise is something
you have to tell. Beatrice thought
you had brought something for us"
MY acquisition is chiefly for my
self" ne said, with grave smile
And then Beatrice Leigh looked up 81
him with a new expression on heI
beautiful face. The truth is, mother
1 have done what you always told me
should do: I have fallen in love"
The beautiful face dropped again
No sound escaped Beatrice Leigh, no
word came from her lips; but had
! any one observed her closely they
would have seen that the small hands
were so tightly clenched the delicate
skin was bruised.
Il am i'm love at last" he con-
tinued. "All my life long | have
wondered what this strange passion
men call love was like. l used to be-
lieve il would pass me by, and
should never know, but when l went
down to poor Bertie's home l met my
fate.
Not a stir, not a word from Beatrice
Leigh. Mrs. Selwyn moved uneasily.
81 hope what you call your fate is
worthy of you" she said. "Remem-
Der. you are head of an ancient and
glorious race-head of a grand old
family that has never known any
thing save honor. There is no
duchess in England who would not
proudly give you a daughter"
"It is no duchess daughter that |
have learned to love-" he replied,
with a smile. ooh, mother, you must
not be disappointed. You must rot
damp my happiness. love Violante
Temple, and have asked her TO be
my wife"
"A lawyers daughter" cried Mrs.
Selwyn; "a simple country girl! Oh,
Vivian, what an end to all my dreams
and plans for you!"
He laughed; bowling mis- handsome,
stately head down to her.
Now mother" he cried, you are
to kiss me and wish me joy"
- cannot" she cried. Il cannot,
Vivian. / am most bitterly disap-
pointed to think, when you might
have chosen from the fairest and
noblest in the land, you have thrown
yourself away so cruelty"
Nay" he said, with imperturbable
good humor, do not say so. You can
not judge-you have not seen my
love-"
Il know what country lawyers and
their daughters are like, as a rule, ="
she replied; land, Vivian. | am in
despair"
There was an awkward silence
which lasted some minutes.
us it irrevocable?" asked Mrs.
Selwyn. Have you really pledged
your word?"
'In all honor" he replied. Il have
even asked that my marriage may
take place in September"
Mrs. Selwyn positively groaned.
ct is useless for me to interfere,
she said. Il cannot forbid it. You
are your own master 1t would be
nonsense for me to say that | shall
not allow it; you will do as you like;
but | must express my stern dislike
and disapproval. 1t is an alliance
quite unworthy of you, and you might
have aspiree no matter how high"
But, mother" he interrupted, you
forget. | love her? She is the only
one l have ever seen that l have felt
| could love. No other girl or woman
has ever charmed me- before"
He did not see the spasm OF pain
that passed over that beautiful,
dropping face but he seemed suddenly
to remember Miss Leigh, for he
turned to her.
Beatrice" he said, help me to
convince my mother. You are young
and beautiful, and love will come to
you some day, as it has come to me.
Tell her-help me to make her be-
lieve that love is the only thing for
which a man should ever marry.
Help me TO make her like my love-"
There was a world of dreary pain
in the dark eyes raised to his, a
world Of anguish and untold love.
Il should not know what to say"
she replied, in a strange voice unlike
her own.
And then Lord Vivian Selwyn, of
Selwyn Castle, stood embarrassed
and uncertain what to do. He had
had some misgivings as he journeyed
homeward that his mother would not
think he had done anything to add to
the family renown. All the Ladies
Selwyn had been women of high
birth; he was the first to break the
rule. He had expected some little OPP
position, but had thought a few words
and caresses would set all right
again. He had never seen his mother
so completely vexed and annoyed.
The thing that grieved him most was,
What would his delicate, sensitive
darling suffer If she saw they did net
like her?"