Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-06-20

Who had taken the Opiate that was 70
save the life OF her sou? Without IL
he must Gle. Who had taken IL?
What was put in its place? Only a
moment. then the mothers mighty love
that was la her came 10 her aid.
Casting one glance at the calm,
TRANQUIL face Of her son, she opened
the hangings just in time to see a
figure OF some kind disappear at the
outer door. All nervousness. all fear
died from her. Swifter than the wind,
she made one nOiseless, rapid rush
after the retreating figure. and caught
Il in the corridor outside the red
room.
Caught il. and held il fast with a
grasp whose force came from her
mighty love. A tall, stately figure,
vet ID writhed in her grasp. 1t seem
ed 90 shudder. 10 shrink; and then she
said IN q low. hushed voice:
Give me back that Opiate! Whoever
you are. / know not; give me lack the
medicine!"
There was no reply. and in the dark
ness OF the silent corridor the two wo-
men could not see each other. The
one was struggling with fierce force
&c get away; the other. with force
even greater still, struggled 10 hold
her.
Down the broad corridor they went,
the prisoner and the gentle woman
whose mOther-lOve gave TO her soft
hands the strength of a giantess. Down
struggling hard in the quiet darkness,
ratiI they came TO a room where, for
the convenience OF those whom Mrs
Rivers might summon, a fire and a
light both burned.
Silently and desperately Mrs. Rivers
dragged rather than led her captive
there. then turned. AID locked the
door.
Now" she cried. Beatrice Leigh,
down there-dOwn on your knees, and
thank GCd that you have been spared
the sin OF murder,"
u was Beatrice Lady Selwyn who
had been caught and forced into the
room. her stately figure bent with rage
and shame. her beautiful face white
with fear and anger.
How do you dare" she answered;
how do you dare. Mrs. Rivers. TO treat
me so? / viii call Lord Selwyn. You
must be driven away from here; you
are mad,"
Il am sane enough. Beatrice Leigh.
sane enough 10 know why you have
stolen that bottle. God watched over
Rupert Se'wyn. or you would have
slain him. You had murder in your
heart when you took Il away-cruel
murder. You hate him because he
stands between your child and Selwyn
Castle. You hate him because he is
the son Of the woman you tainted. and
rersecuted and drove forth to death.
You hate him because the husband
you have won by false means loves
him. You hate him; and you have
said 20 yourself that he shall die"
1T is false-all false: false as hell
Itself" said Lady Beatrice. Il
thought that medicine too strong for
him. and did not care To disturb him by
going into the room. II you think I
am wrong. take IL back and give il to
him"
I will take it back" said Mrs.
Rivers: "but none the less did you
mean 20 murder my only SOM"
To murder whcm?" cried my lady;
and then the two wCmen stood. tall,
erect and stately. loOkilg-with
s-Crching eyes-at each other.
NY som" repeated the clear voice.
You want to Kill him. II he were left
ia your power YOU would kin him. To
save his life I do that which ! would
rot have done for any other human
object. I claim HIM"
You DC what?" asked my lady. with
q srSer.
Yours" she cried. In the name OF
Heaven. who are your"
Can you not guess. Beatrice? Whom
did you torture whom did you perse-
cute2-whom did you taunt day and
uight2 From whom did YOU steal the
love Of husband, the esteem of friends?
From whom did you take every earthly
10Y. every earthly pleasure-even the
light - Heaven itself? Answer me
that"
she could not: she had grown
whittier and whiter-she had crOuched
lower and lower. uatil she knelt now
her scared face buried in her hands.
Did not the life Of the mother con-
tent you2" continued the clear voice:
must you take the life of the child?
You-a wOman-tO dream Of murder.
to let hot hate. hot anger, cruel jeal-
Cusy. drive you 70 this! Ask pardon
from Heaven. Beatrice Leigh; for most
assuredly. had Providence not watched
over my son. you would have slain
him.
Your SON" cried Lady Beatrice,
rising suddenly and standing before
her. In the name OF Heaven. who
are yOu?'
I am his mOther-Violante Selwyn,"
Low ww~wH~Fw-w umnwwFr8T 1mmwh was