Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-05-12


weak and i'll, she had tried to torture
her by making her jealous of her
husband?
All visitors who came had some
thing to say in praise of Mrs. Rivers.
Most of them had been to see the
schools and the gentle, graceful
governess. whose reputation was
spreading far and wide, even as the
perfume of violet spreads when
the flower is hidden These constant
praises made some impression upon
Lady Beatrice Every one said how
the patient, tender woman loved lit
tie children; they told some pretty
stories of her care and wisdom. and
of the wonderful love the children
bore her.
Lady Beatrice, pleased with herself
and the whole world besides. said. one
morning, that perhaps Mrs. Rivers.
who was so fond of children. would
like to see her baby. Lord Selwyn
smiled, thinking, from peerless to
peasant all women were alike. proud
CT their owl; he made no objection.
and Lady Selwyn told Rupert that
when he rode by the cottage he might
give her message to Mrs. Rivers. So
one morning-it was the end of May
then-Rupert called and told what my
lady had said. He wondered why Mrs
Rivers turned so white, and seemed.
fer a few minutes, unable to stand
You will Gomez? he said Il should
so like you to see my baby brother"
How could she-how could she? It
would kill her. And the boy looked
at her with such wondering eyes, she
was obliged to control herself
Il hope you will come" he said. Il
should like to show you my room, and
the books papa gave me ON my last
birthday. Do come, Mrs Rivers
She could not resist the pleading OF
the boys face. He wanted to show
her his little possessions-the proof Of
his fathers love; his eyes, full OF
expectation, were riveted on her face.
Il will CO." she said, family; and she
was rewarded by the glow on his face.
81 am so glad!' he cried Lady
Beatrice is very proud, you know; she
would never have forgiven you, had
you refused. My lady thinks the
highest honor she can pay any one is
to ask them to see little Lance"
rs he pretty?" she asked, with the
cid burning jealousy at her heart.
THE baby?-oh, yes beautiful!
They say he is the very image of Lord
Selwyn; and papa, you know, is a
handsome man."
rs he-Lord Selwyn--pleased?" she
asked again.
Il think So" said the boy. But
when he kissed the baby saw tears in
his eyes. Perhaps he was thinking
of my mother. He loved her so
dearly; better than any one else in the
world, l am sure"
DO you think so?" she asked, and
the sick. wearied heart thrilled With
joy. WHY"
81 know it, said Rupert, decisively.
HE looks So quiet and sad some
times. When | go to him and ask him
what he is thinking of he always says,
Your mother, boy"
She caught her breath with a little
fiuttering sob.
She had been right. after all, she
thought He loved her memory dead
better than he loved herself living
In the midst of her desolation and
anguish, she felt that her sacrifice had
not been in vain. He was happy, and
if she had not made it, he would never
have been so.
She walked, and Rupert rode en- his
chestnut pony, back to the Castle.
Only God knew what she suffered when
she caught sight of her old home.
There was the park, through which
her husband had driven her on the
day she came home bride; there
was the broad flight of steps, on the
top of which Lord Selwyn had stood
when he thanked his tenants and
friends for the welcome they had given
her: there was the fountains, the
flowers she had loved and tended, the
windows of the rooms where she haG
led so happy yet SO wretched life
One thing she knew; Mrs, Selwyn
would not be there to increase the
danger of detection. Lord Selwyn
had lost his mother socn after his
second marriage. she dled calmly
and happily, the great wish of her
heart fulflled-Beatrice was her sons
wife
She-the pale, sad woman, clad in
deep mourning, and half hidden by her
thick Grape yeil-entered the home
that had been hers. and a strange awe
fell upon her as she did so The cid
familiar sights and sounds, the win
dows of stained glass the pictures and
statues, the flowers that had been her
great delight-all these had been
hers once; and where she stood now
poor. unknown. and obscure-she had
once stood. the loveliest bride ever
brought to Selwyn Castle.
Rupert was very kind to her as il
was the boys nature to be to all