Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-06-20

curse you, Violante Selwyn and l hate
YOU with the hate of hell"
Violante made no attempt to stay the
passionate torrent of words.
L must return to my child" she said.
Beatrice. Ruperts life trembles in
the balance; the least excitement will
kill him. Let US keep this secret yet
a little lcnger-until tomorrow even
ing. The chances are if my boy dies
shall die with him; then it will not
natter If he lives, tomorrow evening,
cost what it may, will tell my hus-
band myself, then go out of his pres
ence forever more. Will you keep my
secret until then"
LAS you will" was the sullen reply.
and Beatrice, I have something to
forgive You have tried to kill my
son; | will pardon YOU" pleaded VIC
lante, gently. Il will pardon and for
get, if you will forgive me the wrong
have done you"
The proud, impacable face, full of
angry resentment, was turned to her.
MOI" was the bitter reply; 81
would not forgive you, Violante Sell
wyn, if an angel from Heaven asked
me- I will curse you, and hate you:
but forgive you, so help me Heaven, I
never will"
You will keep my secret until to-
morrow" said violante, humbly.
IF, by the raising of my finger" said
Beatrice Leigh Il could stretch you
dead at my feet, would lay you there.
Better, Violante Selwyn, to have made
yourself any other enemy. You shall
not triumph in the end"
And so defiant. so proud, so wicked
was the face turned to Violante. that
she shuddered as with mortal cold.
Remember" Kissed Beatrice, as she
passed her, my last word to you was
a curse!"
She swept from the room without
another look at the unhappy woman
she left behind.
Then ViOlante replaced her cap and
her disguise; she took the bottle from
the table and hastily quilted the room.
She few rather than walked down the
corridor-all was silent: that terrible
interview had not been overheard
Rupert lay wide awake.
Where have you been?" he asked;
Il was just getting frightened"
She looked at her watch: it was
half-past twelve. Then pouring out
the medicine into a glass, she held it
to his lips. He drank it eagerly, as
he did everything offered to him.
Now" she whispered, 'try to
Sleep"
And the eyes that had so long been
hot and sleepless closed at last-not in
WEAKNESS. but in slumber-closed,
and the limbs relaxed; a faint color
crept into the cheeks, a faint moisture
came on the hot brow.
HE is saved!" she said to herself,
as she knelt by his side, her whole
soul lost in gratitude. a torrent of
thanksgiving rising to her lips. He
is saved; my boy will live!"
Hour after hour, silent, motionless
and calm. with clasped hands she still
knelt there Once-it was nearly four
in the morning-Lord Selwyn came
slowly and quietly into the room. She
placed her fingers on her lips in
token Of silence. HE sleeps" she
whispered. and he withdrew. She
ante-room. so as TO keep any one from
entering the red room.
Hour after hour, and the boy slept
on. The sunbeams came peeping
gently into the room. the birds began
to sing. but the faint music did not
disturb him; the sleeping flowers
opened their eyes, the western wind
murmured among the trees-but their
whispers did not reach him.
And as hour after hour passed. the
mother knew each one added to her
sons chance of life. His Iordship
entered the room again: this time it
was TO bring her a glass of wine. She
could not move, for the sleeping boy
held one of her hands. He held the
glass to her white lips, and whispered
10 her:
Pray drink it; you look so very ILL.,"
And she raised her eyes, so full OF
happiness, to him.
HE is saved!" she whispered; sit
does not matter about mel"
The sun rose high in the heavens,
the world awoke, the full flush of
dawn was in the sky, still the young
heir of Selwyn slept on. One or two
servants looked into the room. but
Mrs. Rivers motioned them silently
away.
What were her thoughts as she knelt
there watching that beloved face?
They were chaos. She could not see
before her; the future was a sealed
book. What would happen when the
evening came. and her secret was
made known? What would Lord
Selwyn say?. What would Beatrice do?
II was her own fault! She, Beatrice,