The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-07-09
cuApTER xI.-(Continued.)

CHAPlEh AA.-tOOht1hucu'y
The morning after Mr.. Hastings visit
a letter came to Mr.. Clayton, announcing
that one Of his bailiffs was supposed 70
have robbed him to a considerable ex-
tent. The man himself had no idea that
he was suspected. Francis Clayton was
beside himself; he vowed vengeance
against the delinquent-he would eonvlct
him-he would get hun transported-hs
wife and children should be reduced 10
shame and beggaly!
81 find shall have to go back to ENG
land" he told his wife. II shall leave
you here, and return for you In week
or ten days" =
"Oh, do take me with you, Francis,
said the little hypocrite, pretending 10
look disappointed.
"Pshaw tell you 1t Is not conven-
lent"
"But what am l to do II you GOT |
cannot 60 to all these balls and dinners
we are engaged to. alone"
Nonsense. Madame de st. Geran Will
chaperon you IL you still want chap
eron," added the agreeable husband, Win
a sneer "She knows every friend and
acquaintance we have in Paris"
Madame de st. Geran was an old friend
and fame Of Francis Clayton'S, and she
had for some reason tolerated what sne
called "her English bear" Francis Clay
ton, assuming the privileges Of an OLD
friend. paid her a most unfashionably
early visit, and she received him IN
dem-toilet Of elegant simplicity in her
own boudolr, and was most graciously
pleased to accede to his request,
"Tell madame, your wife," she said, In
parting "that at nine o'clock this evening
/ shall have the honor to call for her to
take her to the opera and afterward TO
the ball given by the Duchess de Beau
cour."
And Francis Clayton bent over her
hand and kissed II in a manner that
might have edited and astonished ma
dame, his wife. Then he returned to the
hotel delivered the message to Fee, bade
her good-by, and kissing her coldly, jump
ed into his braugham, which was in at
tendance to convey him to the station.
Madame de st. Geran called for Mrs.
Clayton at the appointed time, and they
spent two hours very pleasantly at the
opera, during which several gentlemen
of their acquaintance dropped in to see
them, and paid their court to either lady,
as taste or diplomacy suggested. Once
or twice the FrehchWoman looked curl
ously at her lovely companion, who for
once was as bright and sparkling as in
the olden days.
"How is it possible" she thought, FOR
a man to be Indifferent to a creature SO
divineW
They had seen enough Of the opera, and
their carriage being called, they drove
of to the ball In the first room Mrs
Clayton met with Mr.. Hastings. She
took his arm, and they Joined the dancers
"My husband Is away" she whispered
"and | shall dance tonight to my heart
content, II he were here he would no
let me-"
The dance was over. and they wer'
wandering together through the magnl
fcent Conservatives that led from tn
ballroom. Suddenly Mr.. Hastings fel
his companions hand tremble violently
ON his arm. and he looked down Quickl!
into her face. 1t was crimson VIII
bushes. The words, "Are you illf' wer
on his lips, but at that moment he caugh
sight of Col. dAguilsr advancing, an
was discreetly silent. A quick glance
an undecided bow, passed between them
and they both moved on. When MRS
CLAYTON returned to find Madame de 81
Geran, Col. d'Aguilar formed one OF tn
knot of men who stood talking with mel
They were obliged to speak then; an
against her better judgment, against he
own resolve. she went back to the bal
room on his arm. They were perfect
discreet, their conversation was simpl
such that the merest acquaintances migh
have held; the danger was In the fasc
nation the presence Of each had for IN
other. She did not dance with him an
more than she did with Mr.. Hastings; br
when she went home she reproached he
self bitterly for the time she had spent
his society, while she never gave sh
gle thought to Enrol Hastings.
It was three weeks before MIR. Clayto
returned to Paris for his wife, and du
ing that time she met Col. d'Aguilar a
most every day.
Fee wanted to do her duty-wantt
with all her might. If Francis Claytc
had been a little kind and forbearing
her. she would never have suffered
Thought even to be false to him. But
was cruel, tyrannical and suspicious al
and-well! she almost hated him. No
and then she would make 3 great etfol
and strive to be good and patient Al
keep from Quarreling with him, but
was so bearsh and ill-tempered that b
design always failed. She was makii
fresh resolves as she sat looking pensiv
ly into the fire, on this particular NOR
Ing. but all of sudden her thoughts we
most Unexpectedly put to flight By Il
ahrupt entrance of her husband.
"Francls! she exclaimed. rising al
kissing him.
ayes. suppose you did not expe
me. What a wretched hrei | am almo
frozen, and the room is as cold as deaf
Ring the bell and order me some lunch
A terrible fear seized on Fee. II
was angry and jealous about Mr.. Hal
ings, what would he say when he knG
that during his absence she had be
constantly in the society Of Col, dag
lar? She had never fully realized
imprudence until this moment. VII
could she do? II she told him, he W
certain to be very violent; II she conce
ed Il. and he became aware Of It,
consequences might be terrible "It
better to get II of my mind at once" 8
determined.
"Mr. Hastings was here this morniI
dear. He came to wish me good-by."
I'm anticipation Of my return, | 81
pose"
Really. Francis, have scarcely co
mon patience with you. What a pC
opinion you must have Of yourself TO
so suspciousl Mr.. Hastings Is going
England on business, and Col. d'Agui
Is going with him."
"D'Aguilarr cried Francis Clayt
starting, has he been hereT
Yes"
"And you have met himr'
"Yes."
"And spoken to himT'
"Yes."
uAnd daneed with himTn