Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-30


has almost become proyerb Ia Paris.
| am surprised you do not prefer q high
bred, graceful woman OF the world 70
an nnInformed, simple country girl Ike
that Miss Eyre. You see ! have discov-
cred your secret"
''Some men are foolish enough to prefer
innocence In women TO a knowledge OF
the world, Dora" Mr. Hastings an
swered coldly.
"Some men are foolish enough for any
thing" retorted Lady Dora, pettidhly.
CHAPTER XVI.
More than once Sir Howard Champion
had met his granddaughter Winifred
Eyre, In society. He had spoken very
little: aud the result Of his quiet scru-
tiny was that he felt unfeignediy pleased
with her. She was graceful, natural and
ladylike, and possessed q certain frank
ness OF manner which could not fail to
win for her liking and admiration.
One day he called on Lady Grace Far
auhar. She and Winifred we're sitting
alone together In the drawing room.
"My dear" he said to Winifred, I'VE
must not be strangers any longer. My
other granddaughters are coming to stay
with me ln Hurstshlre after the season Is
over. and want Lady Grace to spare
you. You will not refuseW
"I think you would like TO go. dear,
would you not2" Lady Grace said, quick
ly.
Wlnifred answered a little hesitating-
IN In the Affirmative. She would rather
not have gone; but she could not bear to
seem stubborn, or as II she bore malice.
The London season was over, the park
| deserted, the handsome carriages gone
from the streets. Winifred was staying
at Hurst Manor with all her cousins
Flora and Reginald Champion, and
Laura aud Ada Fordyce, Lady Valan-
toms daughters. She had met the two
latter constantly in town, and been on
speaking terms with them; but nothing
more. The elder was rather plain, but
aristocratIc looking, and very proud. Ada,
the younger. was pretty, good-tempered
aud unaffected. She took to Winifred at
once, and soon became very fond Of her;
but her sister Joined with Flora in be-
ing disdainful and cold to the farmers
daughter. There were two or three young
men, friends OF Reginald's. staying in the
house, and Mr.. Maxwell, TO whom Miss
Champion was now formally engaged.
II have news for you, Laura" said
Reginald one day, entering the room IN
which were his sisters and cousins; in
deed, news for you all. Hastings Is not
going to Norway In his yacht. but Is COM
ing down to the Court, and has invited
several people with him, so We shall all
be enllyened little, hope, In this dull
hole. Lady Dora Amnesty Is to play
hostess, so there Is sure to be plenty OF
fun"
Some days after Lady Dora Amnesty
arrived at the Court with her husband,
young, good-tempered man, very fond oi
her, and not in the least inclined to b'
Jealous.
There had been very decided flrta
, tion between Mr.. Hastings and Lad!
. Dora some years ago, before she wal
married or engaged; they sometimes re
vived Il even now. He let her have he
own wayward will in the matter of com
ing to stay at the Court and inviting
guests and turning the old house upsid
down for private theatricals, and in re
: turn she was very bright and kind t
, him and consulted his pleasure in ever.
possible way.
Lady Dora made all her plans and Ell
a rol carried them out. He called on Mrs
Champion, gave her some hints about tn
;. tableaus and desire for her co-opera
:. ton. She responded Immediately b
! calling on Lady Dora, and two days al
. terward Dora appeared at Hurst Manor
= The ladies', especially the young one'
!. were charmed with her, she was S
a bright, so fascinating.
There were great many calls, CONVEX
4 sations, hints, proposals aud suggestion
II and finally everything was arranged pr
= cisely as the mistress Of the ceremonit
|. had intended 1t should be. Then, {
:, course, there were rehearsals at Il
!, Court; lunches, dinner parties, all MAJ
70 ner of pretexts for getting the your
:, people together to perfect their part
- Scenery and dresses came down fro
London. Mr.. Hastings spared Meth,
trouble nor expense, and the Court hal
:, room was transformed into an elegal
y - theater. All the country round was
: vited; there were to be two hundr,
= guests.
A. Winifred's heart beat fast for the fir
ir time she visited HAZEL Court She l
M membered how in the olden days tn
rs stately gray mansion into which she h
l. never hoped to enter had been invest
r. in her childlike dreams with all the
he nance which she had read Of or fancie
at Afterward it had been dearer still as t
u home of the man who had been to
" hero, demigod. The time came to b
On when she had been the simple farme
a. daughter, so proud, so happy to be l
of ticed by the handsome master OF Haz
ls- Court. How her heart had sunk witt
her as she saw him paying court to I
ha beautiful, aristocratic women who see
al ed then so far above her; and how lit
NV she had dreamed of the advent of a til
no when she should be more honored, mt
nm longed-for guest than theyr
70. Mr.. Hastings came out to meet the p
ies ty of ladies who had ridden over to
ha Court. He went up to Winifred I'll
and took her in his strong arms and lift
to her from the saddle.
SO "Welcomew he whispered; "this Is
Ia time have often longed for"
"a One day she had ridden over to
ap- Court to rehearse with Lady Dora.
Hastings came in from drive and fol
Ir. his cousin alone in the morning room.
"Pray, don't come In, Errol," she
ed, claimed; 81 must not be interrupted,
lre Winifred viii be ready FIRST"
,ne "Is Miss Eyre here, then?' he asked
eel "Yes-in the picture gallery, I thi