Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-05-16

& A uaA so WARM anu DIlSuN NhehN ny
/ lady would not enter the crowded
schoolroom. She went to the cottage,
and sent for Mrs. Rivers. In a few
minutes she stood before her.
| Now, Lady Beatrice liked due re-
spect to be paid TO her rank. She
was very willing to patronize, to be
benevolent and gracious, but she
/ liked all homage to be paid TO her, and
she fancied-it might only be magma
tion-but she fancied that Mrs. Rivers
/ did not pay her quite so much hon.
| age as she was was entitled TO. She
did not seem flattered with the honor
of a visit: she did not bow with the
respect some of Lady Selwyn's prote-
gees showed. She was standing be-
/ fore her now, and making no fuss, as
Mrs. Browne had done, about her
kindness in coming on so warm a day.
However. my lady had come TO be
/ gracious. and she seldom departed
from any rule she had laid down for
herself
4 must really express my pleasure,
Mrs. Rivers" she said, Eat the good re
ports I hear on all sides of the school.
II consider we have been extremely
+. fortunate securing your valuable CO
operation"
Il do no more than my duty" said
the governess, "and that is a pleasure.
I am so very fond of children"
DIR. Hearne speaks most highly of
your method of training" she con-
tinued. Have you spent your life in
teaching?"
only the last few years." she re-
piled, quietly; and in some vague way
my lady felt that she had taken a
liberty in asking the question.
Il hope" she continued, even more
graciousy. that Master Rupert does
not annoy you by visiting you too
too often? / am told he is often here"
He does call" she replied; "but il
is a great pleasure to me, Lady Selwyn.
II am so fond of children"
"But he is not a child" said my
lady, with a smile; che is growing
quite a fine young mani"
Il hope" said Mrs. Rivers, humbly.
that It does not displease you, my
lady for Master Rupert to rest him
self here sometimes"
She could not conceal the painful
eagerness with which she spoke.
Lady Selwyn was hattered by it, be-
lieving it to be caused by fear of her
displeasure.
Not in the least" she replied,
graciously, "if it is no annoyance to
you"
The wistful, pleading eyes fingered
on her proud, beautiful face.
THE son have lost" said the gov.
erness, would have been near his
age; it is a great pleasure to see him
sometimes"
q suppose so. The love Of mothers
for their little ones is very beautiful"
said Lady Selwyn. Il have no chill
dren."
Her head dropped, her voice lost its
hauteur; for once The voman's true
heart spoke from her liDs. She had
married the man she loved, she had at
tanned the position her heart desired,
and yet her soul was heavy within
her; the greatest and sweetest of all
gifts was denied her-she had no
child
The whole soul Of the woman she
had wronged softened toward her; the
plaintive sadness of those few words
disarmed her.
Il nave no children" She, the
mother. dead in life, could even afford
to pity her, for she had a healthy,
noble son.
Then. with gracious words and
adieus. Lady Beatrice took her leave
Mrs Rivers was becoming used to
these interviews now, and the shock
of them was not so great. There came
a day when her str sngth was even yet
more severely tried. Visitors at the
castle wished 10 see Lady Selwyn's
model schools, and she, nothing 10th
10 receive the praises she knew they
would elicit. gladly arranged for the
whole party to drive over IN the morn
ing.
II was the first time Mrs. Rivers
had seen Lord and Lady Selwyn to-
gether. Despite ner own sorrow and
her own prominent part in the tragedy,
she could not refrain from watching
them. Before the unfortunate cold
ness arose between them which led TO
their separation, her husbands man
ner had been TO her all that was most
tender and kind. He had used
sweet. caressing words in speaking 10
her; he liked TO have her near him;
he liked either 10 clasp the little
white hand in his own, or to feel il
resting on his arm. He called her
Violante. and the name used to fall
like music from his lips. Plainly
enough, she saw that his conduct to
Lady Beatrice was very different. He
never said Beatrice" or My wife,"
he gave her always her full title; he
did not linger by her side, or use
pretty, caressing names TO her; he did |
4 81. a