Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-23
CHAPTER XY


The weeks rolled on and the London
season was at its height. Drawing rooms,
concerts, balls, operas, fetes champetres,
flower shows and garden parties went on
as usual 10 make up the sum OF the gay
worlds pleasures and disappOintments.
Mrs. Clayton-one OF many perhaps-had
been leading life Of itful, feverish hap
plness for the last month. She did not
dare TO think-a pause OF retrospection
would either send her hesdlong down the
precipice, that was yawning at her feet
or make her fly from II altogether. And
yet she was so unpardonably weak that
she hesitated and could not bring herself
TO break on all intercourse with Col.
d'Aguilar.
As II 10 draw the last plank OF safety
away from his wife, Mr.. Clayton treated
her daily worse. He left letters in her
way that could not fail to mortify her.
II they went out together he made point
Of keeping her waiting. He never open
ed his lips to speak to her unless he was
positively obliged, and then his words
were sneers aud taunts. He paid other
women the most extravagant compli-
ments aud attention. In short, but for
Col. d'Aguilar's presence and sympathy,
Fees life would have been unendurable.
They met constantly.
One OF the entertainments that was in.
tended to rank among the first of the
season, was a garden party given by the
Honorable Mrs. Vivian Lynedon at her
beautiful villa on the banks Of the river
No expense was to be spared; amuse-
ment OF every imaginable kind was to be
provided; and the whole was to end in
display OF such costly fireworks as were
rarely seen, and a dance. Mr.. aud Mrs.
Clayton were invited. At the last mo-
ment he declined to go. and his wife went
without him. He did not attempt to pre-
vent her. Col, dAguilar was to be there.
II will not spoil the sport" he said to
himself. with smile that would have be-
come Mephistopheles.
All her friends were there, all but one,
at least, and at first II was with a sense
of relief that she missed him. But hour
after hour wore on, and there was no sign
Of Col. d'Aguiar. First she felt restless.
then a little impatient, then angry, and
then she could have cried for the bitter
ness Of the disappointment. 1t was four
days since she had seen him, and then he
told her distinctly that he Intended to be
there.
Fee sat down wearily on the edge of
one of the seats. Suddenly she heard
voice pronounce her name, and a quick
thrill Of pleasure went to her heart, He
had come at last! She forgot her anger
her impatence, and the weary hours she
had spent waiting for him, and looked up
with a glad smile.
"At last" she said. Il had given you
UP long ago. am so tired OF all this"
she added, in whisper; "let us walk a
little"
And then she perceived that he was
slightly lame.
"Then 1t is true, what some one told
me, that you have sprained your ankle?"
she uttered hastily. '"That kept you away
--snd it hurts you to walk"
"Not at ALL" he answered; ''it Is moth
ing. That did not keep me away"
what, thenY Fee asked; quickly.
Col. d'Agullar was silent.
What kept you awayY" she repeated. |
Il do not think | can tell you, Mrs.
Clayton"
DO tell me-" she whispered, pressing
his arm ever so slightly.
II tried very hard to make a sacrifice"
he answered slowly, "and failed"
what sacrifice"
"The sacrifice Of my hearts desire to
your peace"
Fee trembled and was silent.
"See!' she said ''the fireworks are be.
ginning" and at that moment blaze of |
light shot forth into the skies and seemed |
to ilumine the whole garden and river.
There was a rustic garden bench standing
In niche Of arbutus and laurel.
Let us sit down." Mrs. Clayton said. |
Il know your foot pains you"
Il was. so disappointed when you did
not come" Fee said presently. ~ had
just made up my mind to send for the
carriage and go home. came alone, you
know"
"Alone? / thought Mr.. Clayton was
to be hereT
''He would not come. think he would
do anything rather than spend an hour In
my company" she added bitterly. / can
not go on living like this she broke out
presently. MY life is torment to me.