Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-08-04
She said she could study her part best

She said she could study her part bes
there
Mr.. Hastings left the room and turne
his steps in the direction of the pictur
gallery. 1t was an intensely hot after
noon, and all the doors were thrown wild
open. He looked into the long, uncarpet
ed room, and saw there a new pictur
in new frame. He stood and gazed a
it longer and with deeper feelings than b,
had ever gazed at any other pictur,
there; it was the only one that was no
hist was the only one he cared for OF
desired ardently. Framed in the darl
oak of the window setting was 1.-the
| graceful figure. half reclined, and fair
upturned face. Enrol half feared to break
the spell that he stood watching. Pres
emily impatience overcame the fascina
ton. He went toward her, and the noise
| Of his footsteps aroused her.
Were you studying or thinking, Miss
Eyre?' he asked.
ing, perhaps"
1T is too warm to study or think, eth
er. Have you ever seen the HAZEL por-
trait gallery?"
Never
Should you like to see it?''
II should, indeed"
Come with me and l will show It to
you. Wait moment, though; 1 must get
the key; always keep that room locked y
She waited, looking out of the window
into the rose garden. In a minute he re-
turned. She followed him and heard the
echo as he turned the massive key in the
lock. He stood aside moment for her
10 +hav, h. h.
door close behind them. A feeling half
of fear crept into her heart. She dared
not turn; dim consciousness of what
was passing in his mind seemed to over
shadow her. One by one she gazed at the
portraits on the wall, at the beautiful,
gracious-looking women and the stalwart
men, to some of whom the present Mr..
Hastings bore such a striking likeness.
Presently she dropped her eyes from the
wall and turned to him. She began a
sentence and then paused abruptly blood
red with confusion at the intensity of his
gaze. He put his hand on hers and es-
sayed to draw her toward him, but she
turned sharply away, trembling and
frightened.
"My love, my darlingv' he cried, in
deep, strong voice, ''do not let us misun-
derstand each other any longer. You low
ed me once; you do love me still, little,
believe. Why should there be mistrust
and constraint between us?''
His words were very sweet in her ears,
but the false pride that had tormented
her so long would not let her be happy
even now, at the crisis of her life. She
drew herself away.
"You have seen the wives that all the
former Hastings have chosen-some no
BILE, all fair. | swear before heaven none
Of them have been loved and revered as
you shall be if you will be the last of the
race! o, my darling! do not let a false
pride make all our lives one long bitter
ness"
Tears came into her eyes-large tears
hat gathered and brimmed over, running |
down the fair face and making it sad
81 loved you once" she half sobbed-
loved you with all my heart, as could |
never love again. I was only poor, lit
lie country girl then; you were hero |
md god to me, something different from
my one I had seen before, and because
was simple and ignorant, and-loving,
7ou despised me, and you treated Miss
Champion with honor and courtesy be-
ause she was fine lady, and-and you
hought was only farmers daughter
And Winifred sobbed with passionate
at the remembrance of her
Mr.. Hastings was fairly angry.
Ter tears moved him to impatience
''Will you never cease upbraiding me?'
e exclaimed. "Have I not atoned to YOU
nough? Have not humbled myself be-
ore you as 1 believe in truth none of our
ace ever humbled himself before? Once
or all, Winifred, will you take the love
offer you or do you reject me now and
orever?"
81 reject your
He was gone even before the better i'm
ulse, surging quickly into her heart,
loved her to call him back, crying:
81 did not mean itv'
She felt then she had thrown away her
wn life, her own happiness, and she
rouched down by the window uttering
reat, gasping sobs of remorse and an
nish.
From that time Mr.. Hastings manner
, her was changed. He was courteous
ut in no wise different in his behavior
, her than to the other ladies' who visit
/ t the Court. And when she thought
E no longer cared for her, her love for
i'm revived ten-fold and she almost
,oke her heart for him. ;
(To be continued.)