Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-03-03
Continued.

ed her she could not interfere. she
could not make a scene, or even hint
that she did not like her husband to
waltz with Beatrice Leigh yet she
hated to think that he and the woman
who had made her wretched were
smiling and happy, that his arm was
round her stately figure. that the
beautiful face was shining on him.
There was mad. jealous impulse
upon her to rush into the ballroom, to
drag Beatrice from her husbands
arms, and take her place Then she
laughed bitterly at the thought of how
much the visitors would enjoy such a
scene.
"All emotion is ill-bred, according
to Miss Leigh she said. All, for my
own old life. where honest tears and
honest smiles were never sneered at!
She could not stay there where
the notes Of that waltz distracted her.
mo one will miss me, thought the
poor ch.ld; here. in my husbands
Cwn house, no one cares for me, /
am only in the way; no one will miss
me-"
She passed out into the moonIit
grounds, where the fragrant night air
whispered 10 the trees. gnawing lCai
ously and injured love burning the
childliie, tender heart away. She
went where the sound of the music
could not reach her-doWn to the
banks of the river, where a thiCk
cluster or orange trees stood; she sat
down there behind one tree larger
than the rest, and turned her weary
young face to the shining river
Old memories came rushing over
her of the young brother, who had
died like a hero; of the kind, generous
father who had never uttered an angry
word; OF the "old home" as it stood
cmbowered with trees. Her heart
went back to those childish, happy
days, SO different from the dreary
present Then the waltz ended, and
the dancers sought the cool, lighted
grounds. She was only disturbea
from her reverie by the rustic of
woman's dress, and the sound of
mans voice, speaking in subdued
tone, Raising her head, she saw that
on the other side Of the orange tree
there was a garden chair-on it sat
her husband with Beatrice Leigh
you will still be one of us, Lor0
Vivian was saying. although you are
going from us, | shall miss you
sorely, Beatrice.
mot as shall miss you" she
cried, passionately; Il am nothing to
you, while you-you are
"What?" he asked, for the words
had died upon her false lips,
You are every thing to me, she
said. When leave your roof.
leave my world behind me-"
Do him Justice, He never dreamed
of the guilty love that had mastered
her He Selwyn, of Selwyn Castle
the descendant of stainless women
and brave men'-could not even
imagine Il woman capable CT speaking
TO undermine his faith. He believe
that she was speaking of the calm,
brotherly and sisterly affection that
he though had always existed between
them
Poor Beatrice, he said, taking the
white hand in his. Il am sorry you
must go"
He did not see the suppressed pas
sion in her face-the eager light of
her eyes rs, bent upon mischief. she
continued:
Il wish-forgive me if | speak too
freely wish that | left you happier.
vivian The world begins to talk of
you as disappointed man"
He sighed deeply, and that sigh fell
like a death knel on the young wife's
heart.
Whether my life is made or mar.
red, he said, gravely, Il am respous-
ible for my own fate,
1T might all have been SO different"
continued Beatrice "Ah. Vivian. your
marriage ought to have crowned your
lfc,"
Hush he said, grayely those
matters lie between a man, his wife.
and his God; they bear no light touch.
DO not mistake me-" she cried;
you have been a brother to me. /
have been SO long one of yourselves
that your interests are mine. and can.
not help seeing that you are unhappy.
lie did not deny 1t. Then Lady Vic
lante onged with Wild. fevcrsh long
ing, with an agony of suspense. to
hear only one word that would cen,
tradict Miss Leigh-that would prove
he was happy in his marriage, and
happy In his love, but no such word
came
AS have sown must reap he
said, after silence of some min.
utes DO not talk to me Of this,
Beatrice If there has been a mis-,
take. it has been mine. and mine
alone"
Then came some half-murmured
words from Miss Leigh Lady VIC
lante could not hear them, but her
husbands reply was perfectly audible
4 do thank you Beatrice, for Your
Kindness To her; roor child she sui,
,,,s ,,,fSfalsa