The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-02-06

So saying, he turned and left her, but
not before he had picked up from the
ground crimson rose which had fallen
from Ina's dress in her excitement.
Gina" said Mr.. Eastlake to his daugh-
ter, as the two sat at breakfast a few days
afterward, "what is the reason of Colonel
Dowerling's sudden departure? I hear
he has gone away for a month or six
weeks. and he has never been to say
good by; it really is most extraordinary
conduct"
The color came to Iria's face as she an
swered in tone of apparent indiffer-
ence:
"Well; the fact of the matter is, Mon
sieur le Colonel chose to be rather ex-
acting, and decidedly jealous, so we had
few warm words on the subject, and he
went away decidedly cross; quite peni-
think he could be angry with me long,
poor fellowp And with little laugh
she walked to the pier glass, where she
gazed at the image reflected there; and
as she looked, she again thought that
there was little fear of his not returning
Ina's explanation appeared to satisfy her
fathers curiosity, for, after muttered
remark about her not taking umbrage at
every little thing. he let the subject drop.
But If Ina thought that beauty alone
could enthrall man like Colonel Dow
ering, she was much mistaken, as was
proved by letter received by her father
from him, on his return to Westford. It
happened thus. Mr.. Eastlake, finding
he never came near them, wrote him a
note, asking him to dinner, thinking he
would give him and Ina an opportunity
of becoming reconciled; so his astonish-
ment and modification were great, when
he received the following reply:
ssDEAR Mr.. EAsTLAKE.-I am very
sorry must decline your kind invita-
ton to dine with you, but from your let
ter I do not thing your daughter could
have made you aware of the terms on
which we parted. When I left Westford
a month ago, our engagement was en-
gagement was entirely at an end, and
under no circumstances whatever can it
be renewed. I deeply regret it all, and
you must see with me that our meeting
again would only cause pain to both par
ties. Thanking you for all the hospital
ity and kindness I have received from
you, believe me yours, very sincerely,
PERCY LOWERING.
In her heart of hearts Ina had really
cared for the man she treated so badly;
and she was thoroughly unhappy when
she found for once she had gone too far.
But her pride was great, and finding Col
onel lowering was obdurate, she deter
mined to be even with him. Well she
knew that although he might be invul-
nerable on all other points, an engage
ment between herself and Captain Fox
would sting him to the heart, SO when
that gentleman, who had only been bid
ing his time, proposed, she, in mad
moment, accepted him.
It was the year 1854, and our troops
were daily leaving the shores of old
England for the Crimea. One of the
regiments under orders to sail was the
Dragons. Captain Fox had sold
out, as Mr.. Eastlake would not hear of
him marrying his daughter unless he did
SO. Percy lowering had gone, like
many others, never to return.
The glorious charge of Balaklava was
over, and the ground was thickly covered
with the dead and dying. Among the
latter was Col. lowering, shot through
the lungs. Courting death as he had
done, first and foremost in every desper-
ate encounter, he had until the present
time escaped unwounded; and now, when
beginning to think he bore charmed
life, he was suddenly cut down. He
knew he was dying, knew that no mortal
aid could save him-and he was glad to
know it; for since his one idol had been
shattered, his life had become worthless
to him. AS he lay on the cold ground
he thought he heard some one calling
him by name. He was too weak to raise
his voice in reply, but held up his arm,
hoping it would attract attention. In a
e. of IL Il f,c.a r1er
kneeling by his side.
to look for you. Thank Heaven you are
alive; but we must have you moved from
here as soon as possible"
me, Percival," !" whispered the dying man,
''and that will be to the grave. But I
am glad you are here; want this sent
to England for me-" and as he spoke he
drew letter from his breast and put it
into his friends hand. It was his last
expiring effort, and in few minutes
more the gallant soldier was at rest.
Ina Fox had been married some months,
but even before her wedding tour was
over she had discovered the true charac-
ter of the man she had chosen; for as
soon as all occasion for concealment was
past, he had shown himself in his real
colors. Deep, heartfelt contrition for
the past did Ina feel; but that could avail
her nothing now; she had brought all on
herself, and as, in the solitude of her own
room, she pictured the long, miserable
years before her, she almost felt that her
punishment was more than she could
bear. But she was not girl to wear her
heart on her sleeve, so whatever her own
feelings were, the world knew nothing of
them; and wherever she went she was
received and welcomed as the wealthy
beautiful and fascinating Mrs. Fox.
One night, on returning home from a
ball, her eye was caught by letter lying
on her dressing table. Recognizing the
hand writing, she hastily dismissed her
maid, and, sinking into chair, opened
the letter with trembling fingers. 1t
contained her photograph, and a paper
on which was written these words:
When you receive this I shall be no
more. once told you thes Coverings
never forgave, but as ] hope to be for
given, SO forgive you.
That-was all, and nothing more. AS
she gazed vacantly at the lines before her
dropped from between the
16ldeds leaves, and shopping to see what