Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-04-28

Rivers was overcome, and she mos
J devoutly believed that 1t was the eff
J feet OF her own august presence
conviction that made her unusually
gracious and affable. She praised
the children's copy-books, she patted
little Mary Clarke on the head. she
admired Lucy Smiths sewing; and the
children, stricken into so many statues
by her appearance, began to breathe
more freei,; and all this time Mrs
Rivers followed her in silence, ant
with folded arms.
81 hope" said her ladyship, turning
her beautiful face, bright with smiles
to the dropping curly heads, Il hope
you will all be good children, and moi
give the lady who is kind enough tc
teach you any trouble. Now, Mrs
Rivers, If you please. one of the elder
girls can take charge of the Others
while you are with me-
My lady swept down the room, the
costly silk and velvet trailing after
her. Mrs. Rivers followed her, still
with silent lips and tightly clenched
hands. Through the garden, where
the crimson rose leaves lay on the
broad path, to the little cottage, where
the woodbines hung in full flower. She
entered first, and the white-faced wo
man behind her gathered all her
stTcHrth together.
My lady seated herself on the little
couch, the gray silk and rich velvet
billowing around her.
"Be seated, Mrs. Rivers" she said
gently. you do not look strong
hope you are well, and like your new
homer"
The voice that answered her was un.
like any other she had ever heard: 50
hoarse, so faint, so unearthly.
II am very well, | thank your lady
ship. and | like my little home very
much"
THAT is right Lore 5elwyn and
did all we could to make it comfort
able These schools are my hobby, If
may use such a word. Anything
you wish for or want, any improve
ment you can suggest, | shall be thank
full If you will name it to me-"
Mrs. Rivers bowed again, and my
lady wondered at her silence. She
was not accustomed to it yet This
woman who sat in all the regal pride
Of her beauty and the magnificence OF
her dress, as in her place bore her
name, filed her husbands heart; she
could not take her patronage quietly
just yet
"You are a widow, | believer" said
4 Lady Beatrice, looking at the close
cap.
II have lost my husband and my
SON was the quiet reply; by this time
the violet eyes were raised calmly and
searchingly to the lady's face.
Dear me" was the conventional re-
ply; how very sad. You are glad,
perhaps. of quiet life after great
sorrow?" said my lady, after short
pause.
my sorrow has been and Is very
heavy one" replied the quiet voice.
"Are you stranger in this part OF
the country?" asked Lady Beatrice.
81 have been living for some few
years at Shepton, said Mrs. Rivers.
Il hope you will make Yourself
happy. | shall send you fruit and
4 flowers from the hall; 7 have been in
the habit of doing So Are you fond
Of reading?"
1T Is my only pleasure" said the
governess 81 have no other"
1--WE have so many books at the
hall" continued Lady Beatrice you
can have what you will from the IL
brary ! sent down n few; have you
locked over them YETI"
IL have not had time said Mrs.
Rivers, going to the little bookcase.
These are very nice and useful.
thank your ladyship very much for the
kind thought"
The Voice was gentle enough, the
words were humble, yet Lady Beatrice
thought to herself:
How stff and unmovcd she is"
Suddenly Mrs Rivers saw the
volume of Wordsworth; in one instant
she recognized 1t, She remembered
the very afternoon when Lord Solwyn
had given 1t to her What did II mean
here? Lady Beatrice saw IT in her
hands"
"D2 YOU like WORDSWORTH she
asked condescendingly
But Mrs. Rivers did not appear &c
have heard the question, She had
opened the book, and was looking al
the titlepage,
Tc my dearest Nioante; from her
devoted husband, Vivian Selwyn
Heaven was merciful that the sight
off handwriting and the words did
not slay her
II think" she said humhl> this
volume has got in by mistake; 1t seems
to Nclung to the family
ady Beatrice glanced at Il
me" she replied carelcssly and I'm
ruthrully Lord Selwyn sent Il Will
the others
She depressed the cry of anguish thai