Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-06-25

peculiar fascination Of manner that rem
ders him general fayorite. Perhaps
some day he viii return. and shall have
an opportunity Of Introducing him TO
you"
Winlfred bent down her head In silence.
Miss Champion looked up, and glance
OF malicious light shot from her cold, blue
eyes.
"An introduction between such inti-
mate friends would scarcely be neces-
aary," she remarked In her clear voice.
that was heard from one end OF the long
table TO the other. II should think Miss
Eyre and Mr.. Hastings would be greatly
amused at such formality, after their
rambles In the HAZEL woods"
The crimson blood dyed Winifreds
cheeks until tears Of modification stood
In her eyes. Poor child she was not yet
sufficiently used TO the way OF the world,
TO parry such cruel shafts. But Lord
Harold stood by her friend.
"That was hardly fair Of you, Miss
Champion" he said, coolly, ito take the
words out OF your cousins mouth. !
wish Miss Eyre could have heard the
flattering speech Hastings made about
her once, before a room full Of young la
dies; they were awfully jealous Of It."
One vivid glance OF thanks shot from
under Winifred's long lashes; Lord Har-
old, seeing Il, was rewarded. Miss Cham
pion noted II, too. and was bitterly an
sersd. But she spilled sweetly as she
Miss Eyre will Ascarcely thank you
for your hasty championship. Your words
almost seem to accuse mo Of betraying
something she wished to conceal"
And laughing still. she walked to the
window, bitterly CONSCIOUS that she had
ruined her last chance with Lord Harold.
That same evening Miss Alton dismiss
ed her maid. and betook herself to brush
her pretty hair in Winifred's room, for
whom she had conceived violent fancy.
"I'm sure you're not tiredv' she ex.
claimed, as she was admitted, In answer
70 her summons; "and want to have a
chat with you."
mo, | am not tired at ALL" Winifred
answered; "and think there's no time
for talking like this, when one has sort
OF a guilty feeling that one ought to be
In bed"
"well, them" exclaimed Fee. laughing,
"let's be prepared TO do without our beau-
~ sleep for once and begin. am going
to call you Winifred, and you must call
me Fee--no one ever thinks OF saying
Marion. Not that approve Of people
calling each other by their Christian
names as a rule" ratified on the little
fairy, because 1t leads to familiarity, and
familiarity, We are wisely told, breeds
contempt. It's the greatest mistake to
be too intimate--people are sure to quar-
rel; but don't think we shall; so, il you
do not mind, let II be Winfred and Fee"
In which arrangement Miss Eyre con-
CURED heartily.
"And now l want to confide In you"
continued Fee. because | am the most
miserable creature in the world, and 1
want advice. and l know you are good
and sensible. Don't be offended" she
went on in her quick, droll way; Il don't
mean anything disparaging by saying you
are sensible. know it's generally con-
sidered an odious trait in young people to
be sensible; but you couldn't be anything
that wasn't nice, because you are so pref
ty and clever. want to talk to you about
Col. d'Aguiar and Mr.. Clayton. Which
do you like the mostT
"You cannot ask me such question
seriously" exclaimed Winifred. AT all
events, you cannot have any doubt as to
my answer"
'Then you don't like Mr.. ClaytonT
"Indeed do not" replied Winifred,
earnestly. "He seems to have cynical
! disbelief In good, sneering mistrust of
; kind actions, that never goes with good
or benevolent nature. would rather
, die ten thousand times over than come to
suspect every thought and action of the
} people lived with"
II know what you say Of Francis
| Clayton to be true; despise him in my
/ heart. l have not a shadow Of hope that
: shall ever approach to feeling of love
| for him. He Is malicious-he Is cruel
J he is revengeful. And yet, knowing all
| this, 1t will not hinder me from selling
myself to him IL he cares to buy me,
think he will. l think II 1t were only tc
triumph over Col. d'Aguilar he would
. marry me. Winifred, do you know love
/ that man with all my heart--with all the
love of which poor, vain, frivolous ma
I, ture like mine is capable? and yet l can
{ not sacrifice society and fashion for his
j sake. wonder why all the men wh'
0 are worth loving are poor?"
8 "You would give up such man al
: Col. d'Aguilar and take Mr.. Clayton
: for the sake of his money!
: : Fee nodded,her head.
I "Yes, so would you if you had led m,
4 life, and been brought up as have been
I What can do?" and she stamped he
Q foot impatently; II have no money; m!
'.Eaunt has none to give me. Col. d'Aguilai
8 has only a pittance barely sufficient fol
: himself. Riches, they say. cannot Civ
love or happiness: but poverty can TAX,
: away one and destroy the other. hav,
no other alternative| =
Q "Dear Miss Alton" said Winifred, :"
a beg of you with all my heart to think wei
a before you make up your mind to MARI.
i. a man Hike, this Mr., Clayton. Think wha
e / It must be to spend the best part Of you
! life with a man YOU cannot loye--a maj
!, you might perhaps get to- hatel,y ta
/. Fee laughed "a little unnatural laugh
+ and put her fingers to her .earst
, "Hushi'' she said; "do not talk in tha
v way. know all you can say. After all
t who kpnws? Mr.. Clayton may never d
i me the honor to propose to me, and the
y how foolish shall lookl Goodnight
t cherie--kiss me once more. Goodnight
8 And the little fairy tripped of to her owl
I room.
i CHAPTER TX.