Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-08-25
over neck and brow and made her hear,

over neck and brow and made her heart
beat in great throbs.
"Col. d'AguiIar," she said, with voice
almost inarticulate with nervousness.
''Yes, Mrs. Clayton
"Are you really going out?"
81 am just starting for Holton.'
Wont you stay with me? l shall be
so dull all alone'
He hesitated for a moment.
IF you really wish it | will.''
"Of course | wish it or | should not
ask Fee responded. little petulantly.
''Then l will go and send the groom
back to the stables" And he left the
room.
Mrs. Clayton was excessively uneasy in
her mind. She could not form the least
resolve what she should say to him when
he returned.
You will not thank me for spelling
your ride were her first words to him.
Il would much rather be here. | only
proposed riding to Holton because |
thought Mrs. Hastings was anxious for
her husbands company"
Are they not devoted?' sighed Fee.
81 never saw a man fonder of woman.
l do believe he fancies there is no one
like her-so graceful. so amiable, SO
clever"
''That is as it Should be. is it noty'
asked Col. d'Aguilar, smiling.
"Of course. He intends her to make
quite an impression this season. He has
taken a mansion for three months and an
opera box, and / know he means her to
have her handsomest carriage and horses
in London. Fancy a woman having all
= .e1,o
loves besides! And there were tears in
Mrs. Clayton's eyes.
"She is very sweet-mannered. / think
she deserves her happiness"
81 am sure she does,'' responded Mrs.
Clayton, warmly. "She would have mar
ried him just the same if he had been
poor. She was not like me, Col. d Agui-
lar"
You forget how differently you were
brought up he exclaimed, eager to de-
fend her from any imputation. even
though it came from her own lips. "Pov-
erty would have been a terrible hardship
to you, who had been used all your life to
luxury"
1T is very generous in you to excuse
my selfshness," Fee said. softly. ''since
you suffered by it. Did you suffer?' she
asked, with quick alteration of mood.
Hardly" she added, with the slightest
tinge OF bitterness. cor you would not
have been so ready to give nae up"
It was Col. d'Aguilar's turn to feel hurt
and bitter now.
Il believe women never give men credit
for real unselfshness,'' he said. "A wom-
an has more faith in the passion that
sacrifices than in the love that spares
her."
''Col. d'Aguilar." said Mrs. Clayton,
with bright tears standing in her eyes, q
would give the world to know if you left
me because you really loved me-"
"Aly love could have little worth for
you." he answered. sadly, IF a doubt
of my motive could have found room in
your heart"
There came then long silence between
them. and both looked straight away
from each other, as though they feared
the next words that might be spoken. AT
last Mrs. Clayton turned her face toward
the man, whom she loved and esteemed
more ROW than she had ever done in her
life before.
''Ivors." she said. in low voice. that
trembled from the deep uuder-current of
emotion-"Ivors. do you not know how
hard it is for a woman to ask for mans
love?"
He turned quickly toward her.
MY darling. do you think it necessary
to ask for what have given you. wholly
and entirely, from the time l first saw
you? De | need to tell you that love
you heart and soul, and that l can never
cease to care for the little fairy who first
bewitched me until the day | die!
CThe end