Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-12-17
CHAPTER Xl.
The smallest incident

Neither Mrs. Selwyn nor Beatrice
Leigh would have owned to themselves
that they were unkind to Lady VIC
lante. Unconsciously even to herself
Mrs. Selwyn always spoke to her as
she would have done to child, who
required constant direction and con-
slant attention. Miss Leigh was never
openly sarcastic but the numerous
shafts and arrows that flew daily
round her golden head would have
pierced stronger heart than Lady
Selwyn's
Beatrice had a quiet way that no
one but herself understood, of direct
ing in some vague manner Vivian S
attention to all his wifes deficiencies,
sometimes by few seemingly most
kind words of advice or caution, again
by what she called a timely hint, and
Vivian, who could have led q forlorn
hope, and gained a victory easily on
a battlefield, positively believed his
wife had no better friend, no truer
wellwisher than Beatrice Leigh.
The christina; of that year was a
very gay one at the Castle. Lord Sci
wyn declared himself to be greatly in
arrears over he fDitality-he had given
neither party nor fete worth naming
since his accession to the title; all
that must be altered now that he had
a lovely young wife to please and con
suit
So that Selwyn Castle became the
very center of gayety. Large relays
of guests came from London, and once
there liked to remain There were
dinner parties, fetes, balls, charades
and tableaux; the whole neighborhood
seemed to be aroused, and one family
We'd with another as to who should
be gayest
1t was a new world for Lady Vic.
lante-a world she would have enjoyed
excessively had she been a spectator
instead of leader. She was very
much admired, and much liked by all
the guests, They thought her grace
full and lovely; yet in some vague way
she never seemed to be the real mis-.
tress Of the brilliant revels. II one
put question about the charades, the
tableaux, the music, or dresses, she
had way of raising her shy, sweet
eyes, and saying:
Il do not know; pray ask Mrs. Sci.
wyn or Miss Leigh"
And one day Lord Vivian overheard
this little speech, Lord Calders,
young nobleman, who had been his
chosen college friend. came up to Lady
Violante. She was. arranging with ex.
quisite taste some fern leaves round a
white marble statuette
Lady Selwyn," he said, "will you
please come and settle a dispute In
stead of rehearsing for this evening,
we are all ruarreling. Lady Talmis
declares the part of Marie Antoinette,
in the third tableau, was given to her
and Miss Dene Gays the same thing
They are both beauties-our chief
belles-and It must be settled without
offending either Dc pray come and
arrange II.
She clasped her little hands in dis
may, and raised two beautiful, fright.
ened eyes to his.
a." she cried, settle a dispute be-
tween two ladies', Indeed, Lord Cal.
ders. | cannot. Ask Mrs. Selwyn or
Miss Leigh
Pray pardon me" he said, good
humoredly, IF do neither. You are
our queen and liege lady. shall ap.
peal to no other"
But, indeed" she cried. In great
distress, Il should NOT know what TO
say! They would not take the least
notice Of me They know do not I'M.
derstand such matters"
There Is nothing much TO say" said
Lord Calders. Only few diplomatic
words Compliment both ladies', and
tell Lady Talmig she is right; give
Miss Dene an extra compliment"
Her dark eyes opened wide. the
dimpled lips grew pale.
Il could not frame what you call a
few diplomatic words to save my
life. she replied. If 20 near ! shall
bEAg Uhh1 EndlNAIr WI Sc ohSAA1 -
sure to say. Dear ladies, pray bel
friends. and do not quarrel
That would not do al all. hel
replied.
No; am quite sure II Is beyond
me. Do pray ask Miss Leigh
To be Continued.