Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-02-29


and eat her heart away. She longed,
with longing no words can tell, TO 90
back 20 the humble home where she
had been loved like a child and
worshIped like a queen. Before her.
By night and day, were those words:
If she were dead. he would be
free,"
II had been such terrible mistake,
this marriage. She saw il so plainly
now. He ought to have welded one or
his class. brought up in the same way,
with the same habits and customs. In
stead of which he had fallen in love
with her, a simple, uniformed child,
ignorant OF all the arts of social life,
OF all the ways Of the great world in
which she had TO hold 50 prominent
place.
She recognized the mistake clearly
now. With despair in her heart. She
was altogether unfit. True, she had a
lovely face. and a tender, winning
manner: there. she said TO herself, her
attractions ended. She was not ut to
TO be Lord Vivian Selwyn's wife. She
was not able TO manage his household
to rule as queen where he reigned as
king. nor was she fitted TO train her
child for the high position he must
one day occupy. She could only teach
him old-fashiOned notions Of right and
wrong. such as her father had taught
her. and her teaching was sneered at,
derided. ridiculed.
To secure what was called proper
advantages" for the boy. he was to be
removed from her care. and sent away
from her.
Look which way she would, there
was no CLEAN OF hope or sunshine for
her. Her husband was estranged; the
COldness and distance between them
deepened every day. Her child was
seldom with her. for Lord Vivian, by
Miss Leigh's advice, had found tutor
for him. Mrs. Selwyn's manner grew
more reserved. and Beatrice silently
but surely avenged upon the innocent
girl what she considered her own
wrongs. In all the wide woriG there
was not one TO whom she could turn
for comfort. She would not make her
father wretched by telling him of her
own unhappiness. She cared little
for Countess Sitani's offer of friend
ship. that lady having candidly
averred she loved nothing one half so
much as herself. She was dreary
and desOlate. always thinking. always
saying 70 herself that IF she were
dead. he would be free"
The day came when Lord Vivian
spoke TO his mother Of the unpleasant
Tumors abroad. She listened with
resigned expression of face that an
nOyed him still more.
~Of course" she said. ct is useless
talking. Vivian: the deed is done: but
it was really n most unfortunate mar
Tisge for you. ViOlante cannot pos
sibly fulfill her duties, and you say
scandal has arisen because Beatrice
fUlflls them for her"
He made no attempt TO contradict
the first part OF her sentence. He did
not break out. as he would formerly
have done, in vindication Of his
choice: he merely sighed deeply. and
said ii would be better. perhaps. II
Beatrice left them.
Where my ward goes. J go" said
Mrs. Selwyn; that will save further
comment We will return to England
together. Heaven help you. Vivian!
You viii not have a very happy life"
So in the course of a few days it
was announced that Mrs. Selwyn and
Miss Leigh intended returning TO
England; Lord and Lady Selwyn
would remain at the villa Pisani. Be.
fore they left, a grand ball was TO be
given as a farewell fete. and they
little dreamed OF how that ball would
end.
There was a most unpleasant scene
when s-rs. Selwyn told Beatrice OF her
sons decision. The grand southern
face grew pale. and the dark eyes
flashed fire.
II am TO leave the only home l
know" she said, proudly, "in com.
plianCe with a within. a caprice. OF
Lady Selwyn's: is il 500"
People viii talk" said Mrs. Sci.
wyn, with an attempt at apology that
Miss Leigh waved haughtily aside. 4
do no think violante is to blame for
all Of It."
$50 be It," said Miss Leigh. IF It
were not for what the world would
say. I would go at once"
But she grew calmer when Mrs.
Selwyn '"ld her that for the future
they ", live together. That did
not seem much like exile.
"a have always thought" said Mrs.
Selwyn. that il is better for young
people 20 live alone. Perhaps Violante
has felt cOnstraint and uneasiness be.
fore us; it may be. Beatrice, that had
she been alone with her husband. they
would have understood each other
better"
DO they not understand each other
nOw?' she asked. and a wicked CLEAN
Of triumph frightened her face-a
rush Of unhOly Joy thrilled her heart
Was it possible that she had sue