Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-30
,e said she could study her pam bsus


She said she could study her part best
there"
Mr.. Hastings left the room and turned /
bis steps In the direction Of the picture
gallery. II was an intensely hot after
noon, and eli the doors we're thrown wide |
open. He looked into the long, uncaFpet-
ed room, and saw thsre . new picture
IN new frame. He stood and gazed at |
Il longer and with deeper feeliugs than he )
had ever gaEed at any other picture |
there; Il was the only one that was not |
his--lt was the only one he cared for or
desired srdently. Framed 10 the dark
oak Of the window setting was q 1.-THE,
graceful figure, half recllned, and fair,
upturned face. Enrol half feared to break
the spell that be stood watching. Pres
emily Impatience oyercame the fasciDa-
tlon. He went toward her, and the noise
OF his footsteps aroused her.
"Were you studying cf thinking, Miss
EyreTp nc asked.
II hardly know. Mr.. Hastings. Think
Ing. perhaps
"It Is too warm to study or think, eth
er. Have you ever seen the HAZEL por-
trait galleryT
Never"
"should you like to see Iii"
81 should, indeed"
"Come with me and viii show Il to
you. Wait moment, though; must get
the key; always keep that room locked.
She waited, looking out Of the window
into the rose garden. In a minute he re-
/ A. N.li ,aH LIZ. n.H kAoNd the
echo as he turned the massive key 10 the
lock- He stood aside a moment for her
to pass, and then she heard the heavy
door close behind them. A feeling half
Of fear crept into her heart. She dared
| not turn; a 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 q
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 darlingr' he cried, in a
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 usT'
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 al
you shall be IL you will be the last OF tbs
race! o. my darling! do not let fals'
pride make all our lives one long bitter
ness"
Tears came into her eyes-large tear
| that gathered aud brimmed over. runnini
down the fair face azd fnaEing it sad.
"I loved you once" she half sobbed-
sloyed you with all my heart, as ! coult
never love again. was only poor, lit
tie country girl then: you were her
and god to me, something different fron
any one had seen before, and becaus
was simple and ignorant, and-loving
You despised me. and you treated Mis-
Champion with honor and courtesy be
cause she was fine lady, and-and yol
, thought was only farmers daughter.
And Winifred sobbed with passionat
indignation at the remembrance Of he
wrongs. Mr.. Hastings was fairly angry
!. Her tears moved him to lmpatience.
! "WTll you never cease upbraiding met
he exclaimed. Have not atoned to 20
enough? Have not humhled myself be
fore you as believe in truth none Of ou
race ever humbled himself before? Ono
for all, Winifred, win you take the loy
offer you or do you reject me now an
fOreverT
II reject your
He was gone even before the better in
pulse, surging quickly into her hear
moved her to call him back, crying:
"I did not mean 1t!
She felt then she had thrown away ht
own life, her own happiness, and ST
: crouched down by the window utterin
! great, gasping sobs of remorse and al
9 guish.
i From that time Mr.. Hastings mann'
y to her was changed. He was courteo'
+ but in no Wise different in his behavi'
r. to her than to the other ladies who visi
5, ed the Court. And when she thougl
20 he no longer cared for her, her love +
him revived ten-fold and she almo
r broke her heart for him.
$, Ito be continuedl