Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-05-02

glued together. My lady was pleased;
she could not help seeing that Mrs
devoutly believed that it was the eff
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 freely; and all this time Mrs.
Rivers followed her in silence, and
with folded arms.
Il 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 not
give the lady who is kind enough to
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
strength together.
Ny 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 I'M
like any other she had ever heard: so
hoarse. so faint. so unearthly.
Il am very well, thank your lady
ship. and like my little home very
much"
"That is right LORD Selwyn and /
able. These schools are my hobby, if
may use such a word. Anything
you wish for or want, any improve
ment you can suggest, I 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 magnifcence 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, I believer" said
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 a quiet life after a great
sorrow" said my lady. after a short
pause.
"My sorrow has been and is a very
heavy one" replied the quiet voice.
Are you stranger in this part OF
the country?" asked Lady Beatrice.
'T have been living for some few
years at Shepton. said Mrs. Rivers.
ct hope you will make yourself
happy. l shall send you fruit and
flowers from the hall; have been in
the habit of doing so. Are you fond
of reading?"
cit is my only pleasure" said the
governess; "I have no other"
eve have so many books at the
hail." continued Lady Beatrice; you
can have what you will from the Ii
brary. sent down a few; have you
locked over them YETI"
81 have not had time" said Mrs.
Rivers. going to the little bookcase.
These are very nice and useful. l
thank your ladyship very much for the
kind thought"
The voice was gentle enough, the
words were humble. yet Lady Beatrice
thought TO herself:
"Row stiff and unmoved she is"
Suddenly Mrs. Rivers saw the
volume of Wordsworth; in one instant
she recognized IT, She remembered
the very afternoon when Lord Selwyn
had given it to her. What did it mean
here? Lady Beatrice saw it in her
hands"
do you like Wordsworth" she
asked condescendingly.
But Mrs. Rivers did not appear TO
have heard the question. She had
opened the book, and was looking at
the title-page.
To my dearest Violante; from her
devoted husband, Vivian Selwyn.
Heaven was merciful that the sight
of the handwriting and the words did
not slay her.
at think" she said humbly "this
Il