The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-12-04

lessly down the stream of circum-
stances.
Alas! the seductions OF the moment
were all too sweet, the howery path
only too alluring. Vainly honor spoke,
and duty called, he was deaf and blind
to aught but fear. Only when letter
from his wife arrived-coaxing, plead
ing, threatening-did his cheek pale,
and terror gnaw his breast Helen
clear brow wore, sometimes, a furrow
of perplexity as she saw the strange
handwriting on the missive lying by
his plate at breakfast time, and noted
his futile efforts to conceal the effects
of it's unwelcome appearance.
''GulleleSs by nature, and slnguiarly
unversed in the worlds deceits, Helen
trusted Norton with the whole-heart-
edness of one who, estimating others
by herself, scorned to see spot or blem-
ish in those she loved. Norton saw,
too late, what he had thrown away
so recklessl sly-what infinite capacities
of lifelong happiness he had blotted out
forever.
Yet no thought of sparing her cross
ed his mind. Ii any remembrance of
the anguish surely awaiting Helen
momentar arily disturbed him, he quiet
ed it by rejecting that chance often
solves times riddles in a manner
equally unexpected and pleasant, and.
unfortunately for all, chance was his
fetish
So the year hudded into spring, and
the charmed dream neared it's end.
Letters from Heidelberg became more
imperative in tone, demands for money
more urgent. Nor were threats for
following Norton to England. and dis
covering for herself the cause of her
husbands detention, lacking on the
part of Mrs. Blake.
The master of The Court was intent
upon accomplishing his nephew mar
riage. Helen was busy making her
bridal preparations-the wedding day
itself all but fixed. Norton alone was
listless, preoccupied, depressed. A
horrible fear, terrible foreboding of
calamity, had taken possession CT
him. The bright sunshine, the singing
of birds, the scent of violets, the up
turned, placid primrose stars, made
him faint and sick Night and day he
pondered over a way of escape, but
none presented itself as feasible. He
literally dared not encounter his un-
Clc WIitGll Vi l1CiCI SIoIu. 4NOCll-
ing remained to him but hight-fight
from a danger he was too cowardly to
face.
But two days remained before that
fixed for the wedding The court was
thronged with guests, and gay with
merry voices, badinage and jest. In
the ivy -draped windows lights were
beginning to twinkle as Norton Blake
walked homewards, wrapped in bitter
almost frenzied-musSngs. So ab-
stracted was he, that he scarcely no
ticed station fly which, entering
through the lodge-gates, slowly passed
him in the dusk. Neither did he e.
mark face which, peering tArough the,
glass, swiftly recognized hsn,. and as
quickly disappeared into the recesses
of the vehicle As he hewearilymounted
the last step TO the door hs became
aware of q strange hubbub of arrival in
the hail. His. eyes fell on a Saue-eyed,
blonde-haired agure heknew $50 well
his ears were pierced by higf pitched
voice only too familiar. Thete, too,
stood Gretchea,. the maid-essen her
stolid German GhGegm stirred tointer-
est as she presented her whits,fobed
bundle to the ass0mished visitors and
servants whose progress across the
hall, OF chattingby Its wide fireplace,
had been arrested to ascert1a 1an. the
cause of the tu1aatlt-
Norton saw it xli as In a vivid pho
tograph- He bsard bis wife's, shrill
voice exciaimingr with toss 81 her
ffaxen head. and the sarcastic laugh
I, >, TO- hi, GO 1fcx
saOh, there's no omista&e-nonewh
ever, assure yoHs I ann Mrs. Norton
Blake, and this ns our little SON. I
have every proof of whgt l asssrtI l
passed my husband in the avenues. In
81 few minutes he will be here too cor
,pobeprate my statement. Grebchen,
raise baby's veil, ssnd Ests Mr.. Blake see
how closely he resem bLe.s his fatIar.
The old man haeh totdered inub the
hall to see what tEsneozasusion nsetsnt.
Norton saw his faas harden into As ter
riGte sternness OF disbelief as he con-
fneanted the intruder. He saw the
iwhatening of HelerSs. lips and tie de-
fant anguish in hsreyes-
Tine great door s5iilstood opena. The
fly waited, with it's piled up lugages
be5<sw the terrace steps, Norton press
ed yet closer into.thf. shadow o& the
poatico, and caughE his breath 5snhear
his wife'S next wasds.
-eMy husband - continued absence
w:rs so ounaccounsablaI" !" she continued,
with again the hansshlsamgh she dancied
so fascinating, '9lInt Z determined to
ascertain for myself the cause of his
desention. hope lmY advens is not
auaterly inconvesaient, but Norton
sEear, easy fellow!-mIli be delighted
with the pleasant, surprise haSe PLAN
ned orhim."
Norton waisadi to hear 10 more
He skunk noisslessly down the steps.
sped swiftly through the gardens anda
fled away in the darkness Of coming,
night.
Hidden away among tho gladess off
the park lay a placid, hazel-fringad
mere. FeatRery Aarches waved over;.
lilies spread tdlear broad leaves and
silver cups apOn, its still waters.
Bat the morrow's sunbeams, part
ing the fragrant larch-plumes with
slender, shining fingers, fell on some