Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-03-14
CHAPTER xviii.
Leaves have their time to fall,
And flowers to wither at the north
winds breath:

Leaves have their time to fall,
And flowers to wither at the north
winds breath;
The stars to set; but all
Thou hast all seasons for thine own
o DEATH"
Lady violante stood for a few min
utes looking at the calm, sleeping face
This woman had told her, not so very
long ago. that she was quite alone in
the world, that she had no living rela
tive or friend, and the unhappy young
wife stood wondering whether it were
better to be friendless, or to have
relatives who disliked you. AS she
stood there. she remembered Miss
Leigh's words-how much Theresa
Bowden resembled herself.
The likeness struck Lady Selwyn
more forcibly than it had ever done be
fore She looked at the rich golden
hair lying on the white pillow-it was
exactly like her own, save that
Theresa's hair, from being always
covered with a cap, had lost some OF
its luster. and Lady Selwyn's waving
tresses shone like gold. The girl, too,
had a fair complexion, and was OF the
same height. There was less similar
ity in the features, but even in them
one could detect a faint resemblance
to Lady Violante. It was perfectly
accidental, as those strange represen-
tations of the human face generally
are.
Theresa" said her ladyship, "are
you better? Is your headache gomez"
The maid started up. half afraid at
seeing her mistress there.
my LADY," she cried, what is the
matter? Do you want me? Are you
in?"
81 want YOU" said Lady Violante, elf
you are better-if you can listen to
to me-"
But, my lady" interrupted the girl,
your face is as the face of the dead"
Never mind" said Lady violante.
Theresa. you once told me that you
were alone and friendless. want you
to help me. for I am more alone a
thousand times than you"
The maid looked with bewildered
eyes into her mistress's face. She
young. lovely, with usband and child
-"alone and friendless!" What could
il mean?"
Il am very unhappy" continued the
plaintive voice; so unhappy, Theresa,
that l have made up my mind to leave
here and go to England. l am afraid
of travelling alone; will you go with
me?"
Going away" cried the girl; but
my lady, what will Lord Selwyn say?"
He will not know" she replied.
He will not find it out until have
been gone many hours. IL do not
think he will follow me-"
"Rely upon it, he WILL" said the girl,
earnestly.
Il am going away" continued Lady
Violante. land | shall hide myself
where no one can ever find me, where
no one will be able to trace me; |
shall never-never return"
"To leave Lord Vivian and Master
Rupert" cried the girl, now thorough
ly wide awake ooh, my lady, you
cannot mean it-you cannot do it,"
1--WE will not waste time in talking
about it," said Lady Selwyn, gravely.
Decide at cnce, Theresa-will you
go with me?"
''To death. if it be needful," was the
quiet reply You have been a kind
mistress to me, my lady, and l will
serve you we'll"
There is little time to lose," said
Lady Violante. I'VE must leave the
house while the guests are still here.
Come straight to my room
When they stood there, Theresa
Bowden looked round at the splendid
disarray--jewels. laces, dresses, flow
ers.
To be continued.