Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-06-13
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BY
BERTHA NJ. CLAY


turn his thoughts 10 herself, there was
a gentle touch at the door. and Mrs.
Rivers entered. so quietly and so quick
rs that the white arm OF Lady Bea-
trice still lay round her husbands
shoulder.
Silently Mrs. Rivers noted the scene.
That was her place; her husband was
sorrowing for her child. She ought to
be comforting him, and receiving COM
fort from him in her turn; instead OF
which. she. in the character OF hired
dependent, stood there unnoticed and
alone. Silently she noted the haggard
face and despairing eyes Of him whom
she had died to set free. and that
one moment was a new revelation TO
her OF the love Lord Vivian had borne
20 her. and bore 70 her son.
Mrs. Purt0n tells me you wish to
see me. Lord Selwyn." said .
hushed voice.
Lady Beatrice rose hastily; she was
Ear too proud 10 allow any one to see
her consoling even her own husband.
Come in. Mrs. Rivers" she said.
His lordship is waiting to see you"
He turned round when the low,
hushed voice reached him.
How is my SOM" he asked. do
You see any difference-any change
in him. Mrs. Rivers. either for better
or verse"
Il am afraid to answer" she replied;
'.bnt / did fancy. this evening, there
was the slightest shade of improve
ment: be has not been so delirious,
and has seemed Quieter; IL he could
sleep I should hope: I should hope"
And the last words sounded so much
like a prayer that Lord and Lady
Selwyn both involuntarily turned to
look at her: but In the roseate freight
they. could see little Of the sad, patient
face.
This must be painful 70 you, Mrs.
Rivers" said his lordship, wondering
az the sad. despairing voice.
1T is painful" she said. gently.
Was your own son III long," asked
Lady Beatrice. who. as a mark OF
policy. was always kind to her in
feriOrs.
He had a long Illness" she replied;
"and / watched him the whole time"
Il wanted 70 tell you what DR..
Danvers said" continued Lord Selwyn.
The Opiate win be here directly; he
says II IL gives my son sleep, he viii
live: IL il fails. he must die"
There was only a tighter clasp OF
the thin hands Even as he said the
words there rose before her the mem
Ory OF that morning in the garden at
Florence. when Lord Vivian had placed
her son in her arms, and Rupert had
chung round his mothers neck-the
morning when Beatrice Leigh had stab
led her with such cruel words.
"Dr. Danvers wished the medicine
70 be given 10 him the very last thing
tonight. so that no noise could dis
turb him. Just before Midnight,
should think. would be the best line"
I viii give it to him myself" said the
hushed voice.
4 shall give orders for the whole
household TO retire az ten" continued
the master Of Selwyn Castle. $50 that
he may have every chance Of guiet.
Do you really think there is an i'm
provement?"
The least possible she replied, and
az that moment, as though by acct
dent. her eyes fell upon the face OF
Lady Beatrice. The moment before
Il had been filled with false compass
sion; now. as Mrs. Rivers spoke OF
hope. though the hope was faint all
the pity died from ii. and there came
into It an expression of cruelty and
anger no one could mistake-a regret
that there was better news, a hope
that 81 would rIONa false; all that,
Mrs. Rivers read in tie dark eyes that
met her own. For one minute the two
women looked steadily at each other.
then Lady Beatrice turned away and
her eyes fell,
4 viii come In myself about twelve"
said lord Selwyn. ASK Mrs. Purton
to sit Up with you. Mrs. Rivers"
Il would fain ask that I may be
alone" she said. gently. The most
careful Of people fall asleep. or make
a noise. should do IL better alone"
Let il be so. then" he replied; and
just Gt that moment fOOtmal entered
with a bottle in his hand. Lord Selwyn
took ID from him and unwrapped il. In
the bright freight all three plainly
and distinctly saw the bottle.
Whatever drug composed the opiate,
i'm color il resembled water; il looked
Ike clear. cold water, and nothing
else.
1T has no SMELL" said Lord Selwyn,
replacing the cork. and giving the bot
he 10 Mrs. Rivers.
They remembered afterward every
detail OF that scene Then Mrs
Rivers went out Of the room, leaving
the wife and child where she ought TO
have been.
She returned 70 the sickrOOm. The
boys shining. eyes welcomed her-a
faint smile greeted her.
wuO-w long Won have hnantm he said