Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-04-21
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BERTHA M. CLAY

| IIeafne, mat we are fortunate III
securing the services Of lady like
yourself; you, also, are fortunate III
being under the care Of people so kind
and considerable rs Lord and Lady Sci.
wynn"
He did not see the shiyer that passed
over her--the passionate grief and
anguish that for one moment com.
pIetely changed her face.
Lady Sclwyn has sent you books
and flowers" he continued; "she will
probably drive over to see that you
have everything as you wish it to be"
She thanked him in few, faint
words he did not observe how faint
they were.
The gentle face, the sweet eyes, and
sweet lips so charmed the rector, that
when he once began to talk to Mrs.
Rivers, he always felt some difficulty
in knowing when TO stop.
"Dr. Hearne," she asked, ARE there
any children at the hall?"
NO he replied; and for one mo.
ment the pallor Of death oyerspread
her face. There are no children, he
continued; "but there Is one boy; the
finest little fellow in England"
light, like the golden CLEAN Of a
June sunset, came into her eyes.
Lord Vivian's heir, presume?' she
said.
yes, Lord Vlvian's heir; and a
nobler child have never seen. He Is
MS good az he Is handsome, and that Is
saying something"
His own mother --~--" she faltered,
then stopped.
His own mother Is dead" said the
rector. Rupert Is like her /
knew the late Lady Selwyn, but not
intimately. She was very lovely, and
the boy has his mothers hair and
leyes."
Il should imagine the young heir OF
ISelwyn to be terribly spoiled" she
said; and In her clear voice there was
an infection of proud, sad tenderness
that might have struck him.
Lord Selwyn worships him." was
the reply; but" he continued, laugh
ing, Lady Selwyn seems sometimes
half Jealous of him"
A bright color came into the pale
face.
THAT must be nonsense" she said;
who could be jealous of child?
love children SO much, DR.. Hearne. |
should Hike to see this young heir Of
the Selwyns."
"You Will see plenty of him, II he
leases you as much as he did poor Mrs
Browne" laughed the rector again
HE used to ride down to the cottage
several times in the week, and com
pleetely destroy her flowers by max
ing furious efforts to increase their
growth,
Again the tender light shone in the
Swallowed eyes, and the good rector,
thinking he had stayed long enough
with the school.mistress, went away.
You may make your life here very
pleasant" said Mrs. Tatton, when the
time came for her to 90. You will
not find the duties Of the school heavy;
the hours are from nine to four, the
rest of the time Is all your own You
will have little girl to wait upon you
and You will make many friends,
every one Is sure to love you, ana
there are many nice people at Thorn
leigh"
But there was no expression in the
calm, pure face of Mrs Rivers save
that one clear, vivid flame, for 1t had
not yet died away.
"Good,by," said Mrs Tatton, as they
stood in the pretty flower garden to.
gethor you will want some little as
ststance here; what n pity that large
vase was broken, Mrs Browne grew
some fine helotropes there. Master
Rupert destroyed It, See. that BAH be.
longs to him"
That colorcd hall there?" said Mrs,
Rivers, with strange, confused ear.
nostness did that belong to him?"
Yes" laughed the lady; you had
better save It for him; II is a cricket
ball, and he values It, have no doubt"
The next moment she was gone, and
MlS. RIVERS, III an naSle, went TO the
spot whore the bali was lying, She
picked it up, aud went into the house
not into the parlor where from the
htgh-road one could sec all that passed
but to her own room, where she
could lock herself In and feel secure.
One would have thought her mad to
have seen her with that ball--how she
Kissed Il and tondled II. how she went
over IL ms though 1t had been some
Jhng living
My darling" she cried my lost
loved darling. your hands have touched
this. My heart win break Oh
Heaven that | could cease to think,
To- suffer, and regret"
And when the storm of passion and
tears had passed away, Mrs, Rivers
lay for hours, white, mute, and mo-
tionlcss on the ground
She rose at last for the new life In
which she would require so much
strength, had TO begin soon On the
morrow she npened the school and the