Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-05-23


II did not think should ever like
children" Lady Beatrice was saying,
when her visitor forced back her
thoughts and attention; "but l love
my baby"
She murmured something to the ef-
feet that it was quite natural, thinking
To herself that she would suffer any
agony life or death could infiict, rather
than ever betray her own identity.
do you think Lancelot a good
name?" Lady Beatrice was asking,
when the door opened and her husband
entered. What would that unhappy
woman have given to escape? She
was Obliged to remain-obliged to hear
the kindly words Lord Selwyn said to
his wife-obliged to sit, with throb-
bling heart and burning brain, while
he drew his wifc's shawl carefully
around her. saying that she looked
pale and cold.
Then he crossed the room and went
over 10 her, touching the baby's little
face with his hands, then bending
down and kissing ii, just as years ago
he had done TO her son.
He is a grand little fellow, Mrs.
Rivers, is he not?" he asked, and she
bowed assent.
From her heart there arose a wild
prayer for help and mercy; her
courage was failing, her strength
leaving her How could she bear it?
Yet she said to herself that 1t was
her punishment, and she must endure
il to the bitter end.
Then Lady Beatrice took little
Lance from her, as a sign that the in
terview was ended. Mrs. Rivers rose
TO withdraw.
"If you are fond of pictures. Mrs.
Rivers" said Lord Selwyn, Rupert
viii show you our collection; it is con-
sidered a very fine one"
She remembered the day when,
leaning on his arm. she had inspected
all the gems of art collected by the
Selwyns for generations past. She re-
membered how, when her own por-
trait was taken, Lord Selwyn had de-
clared that picture surpassed in beauty
any other the house contained. Re-
all this, she bowed her
thanks. but spoke no word.
Il think" said his lordship, that
you have quite won that boys heart,
Mrs. Rivers; he seems to like being
with you better than with any one
else"
And again the dark-robed figure
bowed Wondering at her persistent
silence, and attributing it. as his wife
did. to awe and timidity, Lord Selwyn
opened the door for her. and Mrs.
Rivers passed out.
Il am waiting for you" said Rupert.
as she came 10 the stairs. Nov we
will go and look at my mothers pic
ture. Il used to hang in the drawing
room. but Lady Beatrice sent it here to
the library"
Talking, as he always did, gayly and
Rupert led her to the Ii
brary How well she remembered IL;
the dark oaken furniture. the Grim
son carpet the fragrant flowers, the
long windows that looked over the
park, the crowded bookshelves.
When the door opened, a whole rush
Of memories overwhelmed her.
The boy went into the room first,
and she followed him.
There" he said, proudly; have you
ever seen such a face as that, Mrs.
Rivers? So fair, so true, and sweet!
That is my mother"
She was almost afraid to raise her
eyes to her own face. Her heart
beat. and her brain burned; but it
must be donel Slowly she raised her
eyes. and looked into the pictured
loneliness of those before her.
All. Heavenl was she ever like
that?-so lovely, so bright; a glorious
sheen on the golden hair, bright
light in the starry eyes? Such fair,
beauty; such purity CT express
she ever like that? Long
and steadily she gazed on that beauti-
full face. That was Violante Temple.
sister OF the young hero who died in
that far-off land, and, dying, had re-
her. Who was she, stand
ing there?-the wrath, the ghost OF
that fair young girl? Surely not the
same,
rs she not beautiful" cried Rupert.
I'm all the pictures here, there is not
another like hersi"
There is no sorrow in 1t" she said,
gently: ''it is. light and bright"
my mother had no SORROW" said
the boy, proudly. whenever I re-
member her, I think of the old pro-
verb: Whom the gods love die young
She was very happy; my father says
she did not change much in becoming
an angel"
Then they had been merciful to her
memory. Even her enemy, Lady
had spared her, believing her
lying dead. Her son knew nothing
Of the fatal unhappiness; they had
spoken well of her to him. She
Heaven for that.
shall we go into the gallery now?"
he asked ct am so clad. Mrs. Rivers