Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-01-11
CHAPTER XIV.
Tine trappings of state
Brighten me-"

4 house, II belBIhFla, llOuuOus q group
I CT three ladies stood, holding anxious
consultation over a magnificent dia-
mOnd tiara. Mrs. Selwyn held il in
her hands, Lady Violante shrunk as
though half alarmed at il, and Beat
rice Leigh stood by with a smile on
her face-a cold, hard smile, in which
there was nothing of friendly interest.
/ u think it very beautiful, ViOlante."
said Mrs. Selwyn; Il cannot imagine
why you object to it."
Lady Selwyn would probably prefer
wreath OF daisies or wild flowers, .
said Miss Leigh.
That / should" cried Violante.
Such magnificent ornaments as that
tiara brighten mel"
But" demonstrated Mrs. Selwyn.
"yOu must dress according to your
rank. and you must wear such jewels
rs your husbands position entities you
to wear Do you not understand"
Yes" she replied, YEARLY, II quite
understand" but the golden head
dropped and the fair face grew sad.
Then" said Mrs. Selwyn. you had
better decide upon this. like il bet
ter than anything we have seen. Here
is Vivian; let US have the benefit. Of MS
taste" @ MMt
He joined the little group with a
smile on his dark, handsome face
Mrs. Selwyn continued:
'StOir & Mortimer have sent the
tiara you ordered, and think it simply
magnificent" 81
rs Violante pleased?" he asked
eagerly, turning TO HIS wife. .
She made no reply. Mrs. Selwyn
spoke for her.
/ ''violante thinks it too-too grand,
supposed" lw
! Lord Vivian laughed.
MY simple darling" he said when
will you learn to love grandeur? II is
not one whit too beautiful for you. Il
all the jewels on earth were strung
upon one string. / should still think
, tiem unworthy of being offered to
yoC," and nc touched the white brow
with his lips.
Mrs. Selwyn smiled at the loverlike
speech. Beatrice Leigh turned away.
that none might see what her face
said.
Let us try how it looks?" cried
Lord Vivian. when you have once
seen yourself crowned with diamonds,
Violante, you will care for nothing
else"
he took the tiara of splendid Jewels
from his mother and placed it on the
golden head. Az
Now" he said. look in that mir
ror, Violante, and tell me If the lady
there does not look like cueen?"
She did look, and the image she saw
reflected there was a most lovely one
The fair face, with the delicate rose
leaf flush, the violet eyes, the wealth
OF golden hair, and the shining gems
that encircled the graceful head like
living points of flame.
But as she looked, the golden head
dropped lower.
Il am afraid" she said. half piteous-
y, 1T is very magnificent. Vivian"
But" interrupted her husband
you must not droOp your head So
Violante. You look like a lily bend.
ing beneath the weight of the dew.
You must stand erect and fearless
child; looking with brave eyes out
into the world. Our fashionable ladies
do not walk with dropping heads when
they carry tiara like that"
Shall | show you, Lady Selwyn p
asked Miss Leigh, and the next mo-
ment Violante had gladly placed the
gems in her rivals hand.
Another moment and there stood
before the mirror a woman who was
every inch queen" no dropping
head, no 1owncast eyes, no piteous.
pleading face. The gorgeous Jewels
seemed 10 belong to her gorgeous
beauty by right. The proud, patrician
face; the proud head carried so
haughtily and so high: a bright. glow
ing beautiful picture. not TO DO forgot.
ten by those who saw Il.
See" she said. turning to Lady
Niolante, 'yCu should wea- tiara so.
And for one minute the two women.
each so lovely, yet so different looked
hXedly at each other. Viclarta. fair.
gentle. childlike; Beatrice. PROUD. su.
Ierb and imperial.
They suit you so wei. Beatrice.
said Lord Vivian. CALAMITY: 81 e
really great pity YOU should net wear
them"
Her face flushed at his words She
removed the tiara, smoothing the rich
bands OF glossy hair.
1T is decided, then" said Mrs. Sci
wyn. The tiara is to be kept. Vic
lante viii like 1t better in time"
1T is 10 be kept" thought the young
girl bitterly because Il suits Miss
Leigh, and not for my sake at ALL"