Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-05-30


and blinded him. The trace OF the
tears was quite perceptible on his face
when he reached the cottage. The
contrast between those two women
was great; the one INDUCED, caressed,
and half wcrshipped him; the other
was cold, proud and disdalnful BIT
tie by little Mrs. Rivers drew from
him the story of his wrongs. each
word stabbing her with deadly pain
How well she remembered that
proud lady's power to infiict tortured
Before her rose again the agony she
had endured, and now her son had TO
suffer the same She sat quite still
and motionless while the boy sobbed
out the story of his wrongs. He won
dered at the pale face and white, COM
pressed lips. He wondered still more
at the strange voice and the strange
words:
LET her beware! She must not go
too far"
There" said the boy, springing up,
gayIy; II am better now that l have
told you. Mrs. River; I only envy
little Lance one thing in the world,
and that is-his living mother l
would give Selwyn Castle twenty
times over to have my mother again.
You must not think me a baby for
crying-my heart was hurt"
Was it hard for her to sit silent and
listen-to feel that mad longing, that
hungry yearning to throw herself on
his neck, and tell him who she was 1t
was harder, more bitter than feeble
words of mine can describe.
"How strangely you look at me,
Mrs. Rivers!" he cried "Ah, you
think am coward! | am not, in
deed; but love little Lance, and it
hurt me so deeply to be sent away
from him!"
Il think you brave, good boy"
she said; land admire your love for
your little brother"
How her whole heart longed to go
from her in that one mighty cry:
do you net know me? | am your
motheri"
She trampled upon it, drove it back
refused to listen. She steadied her
trembling hands, she clinched the
slight fingers; and then, as one weak
ened by a great struggle, went over to
the window and stood there. The boy
remained with her some time longer,
then went home.
After he had gone the torrent of her
grief rushed over her.
If-ah. it,-by most bitter tears
she could undo that most fatal deed;
IL. by prayers and repentance, she
could obviate its cruel consequences.
She had thought only of sacrificing
herself. and of freeing her husband.
Instead of that, il seemed to her now
that she had sacrificed her child.
Then some days passed and she did not
see him. The summer was drawing to
a close; the leaves were beginning TO
fall from the trees; the sweetest
flowers were fading; the birds sang Of
their approaching departure.
He did not come YEARLY, hour after
hour. she stood at the little gate, look
ing down the highroad. There was no
chestnut pony, no bright face smiling
gnder a glengarry cap. She missed
him with pain that frightened her. A
week, ten days, two whole weeks,
three weeks-and no word of him! On
the third Sunday she saw Lord and
Lady Selwyn at church. He looked
pale and anxious; she radiant and
more beautiful than ever. Rupert
was not with them. Her heart grew
sick with pain and fear. One OF the
two servants in the Selwyn livery lin
gered in the churchyard. She longed
10 go up to them and ask for news OF
the young heir. yet she did not dare.
Perhaps Lady Beatrice had prevail
ed. and he was seat away. Perhaps
Lord Selwyn had changed his mind,
and had sent him to school. She
thought of a hundred different things.
She woke up in the night. fancying she
heard the quick gallop of the chest
nut pony. then went to sleep with a
prayer on her lips-a cry from her
wearied heart to the foot of the Great
White Throne.
Still the days passed on, and he did
not come She stood one day at the
window, thinking TO herself that If she
heard nothing of him, she would sum-
mon up courage and ask the rector for
news. The sound Of footsteps in the
little garden outside aroused her.
There stood his lordsnlp. looking pate,
scared and anxious.
Woodworking. Mrs. Rivers" he
said. gravely. 81 have come to ask a
great favor. viii you grant it?"
The sound of his voice always
pierced her heart like a sharp sword.
"My son Rupert is very i'll indeed"
he continued: $50 III that we are all
frightened over him, He cries inces-
sanity for you. VIII you get some one
to take your place in the school, and
come 10 nurse him?"
CHAPTER XIV.