Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-03-07
Continued


row and despair. The sounds Of the
brilliant dance music almost madden
ed her. She could not interfere She
could not make a scene. or even hint
that she did not ike her husband TO
waltz with Beatrice Leigh; yet she
hated TO think that he and the woman
who had made her wretched were
smiling and happy, that his arm was
round her stately figure, that the
beautiful face was shining on him.
There was a mad, jealous impulse
upon her TO rush into the ballroom, 10
drag Beatrice from her husbands
arms. and take her place Inen she
laughed bitterly at the thought OF how
much the visitors would enjoy such
scene
"AH emotion is ill-bred, according
10 Miss Leigh" she said. ''Ah, for my
own old life. where honest tears and
honest smiles were never sneered at"
She could not stay there where
the notes Of that waltz distracted her.
No one will miss me" thought the
Door child; here. in my husbands
own house. no one cares for me. l
am only in the way; no one Will miss
me-"
She passed out into the mOonlit
grounds. where the fragrant night air
whispered TO the trees. gnawing jeaE
olsIy and injured love burning the
childlike. tender heart away. She
went where the sound OF the music
could not reach her-dOwn TO the
banks OF the river. where a thick
cluster or orange trees stood: she sat
down there behind one Tree larger
than the rest, and turned her weary
Young face TO the shining river.
OH memories came rushing over
her OF the young brother, who had
died like a hero; Of the kind, generous
father who had never uttered an angry
word. OF the old home" as il stOoo
uncovered with trees Her heart
vent back TO those childish, happy
days. so different from the dreary
present Then the waltz ended, and
the dancers sought the cool. lighted
crOUnds. She was only disturbed
from her reverie by the rustic OF a
woman's dress. and the sound Of
mans voice, speaking in a subdued
tone Raising her head, she saw that
ON the other side of the orange tree
there was a garden chaiT-On Il sat
her husband with Beatrice Leigh.
You viii still be one OF us" LORD
Vivian was saying, although you are
going from us. ] shall miss yOu
sG7ely. Beatrice"
Not as / shall miss you, she
cried. passiOnately; i am nothing to
you. while yOu-yOu are"
WHAT he asked. for the words
had died upon her false lips.
You are everything TO me" she
said When / leave your roof,
leave my world behind me-"
no him justice. He never dreamed
% the guilty love that had mastered
her. He a Selwyn. OF Selwyn Castle
the descendant of stainless women
and brave men"-cOuld not even
imagine a woman capable of speaking
20 undermine his faith. He believed
that she was speaking OF the calm.
brOtnerly and sisJerly affection that
he though had always existed between
them.
Poor Beatrice" he said, taking the
white hand n his. 4 am sorry you
must 60"
He did not see the suppressed pas
sion in her face-the eager light OF
her eyes as. bent upon mischief, she
continued:
DT v-feh- F,r.s,s -. % email 80,
freely wish that left you happier,
Vivian. The world begins to talk Of
you as a disappointed man"
He sighed deeply. and that sigh fell
like a death kneIl on the young wife's
heart.
Whether my life is made or mar
red he said, gravely, 4 am respons-
lille for my own fate"
1t might all have been SO different"
continued Beatrice. All, Vivian, your
marriage ought TO have crowned your
lfe."
Hush. he said, gravely; those
matters lie between a man, his wife,
and his God; they bear no light touch"
Do not mistake me-" she cried;
you have been a brother 10 me. /
have been so long one OF yourselves
that your interests are mine. and can
not help seeing that you are unhappy"
He did not deny IL. Then Lady Vic
lante IOnged with a wild, feverish long
ing. with an agony OF suspense, to
hear only one word that would con
tradict Miss Leigh-that would prove
ne was happy in his marriage, and
happy in his love; but no such word
came.
AS have sown, must reap" he
said. after a silence Of some min
utes. DO not talk 20 me Of this,
Beatrice. II there has been a mis-
take. il has been mine, and mine
alone"
Then came some half-murmured
words from Miss Leigh. Lady Vic
Iante could not hear them, but her