The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-08-29
CHAPTER XIV.

The weeks rolled on and the London
season was at its height. Drawing rooms,
concerts, balls, operas, fetes champetres,
flower shows and garden parties went on
as usual to make up the sum of the gay
worlds pleasures and disappointments.
Mrs. Clayton-one of many, perhaps--had
been leading a life Of fitful, feverish hap
piness for the last month. She did not
dare to think-a pause Of retrospectiOn
would either send her headlong down the
precipice that was yawning at her feet
or make her fly from it altogether. And
yet she was SO unpardonably weak that
she hesitated and could not bring herself
to break off all intercourse with Col.
d'Aguilar.
AS if to draw the last plank of safety
away from his wife, Mr.. Clayton treated
her daily worse. He left letters in her
way that could not fail to mortify her.
If they went out together he made point
of keeping her waiting. He never open
ed his lips to speak to her unless he was
positively obliged, and then his words
were sneers and taunts. He paid other
women the most extravagant compli-
ments and attention. In short, but for
Col. d'Aguilar's presence and sympathy,
Fees life would have been uncomfortable.
They met constantly.
One of the entertainments that was in
tended to rank among the first of the
season, was a garden party given by the
Honorable Mrs. Vivian Lynedon at her
beautiful villa on the banks of the river.
No expense was to be spared; amuse-
ment of every imaginable kind was to be
provided; and the whole was to end in a
/ display of such costly fireworks as were
rarely seen, and dance. Mr.. and Mrs.
Clayton were invited. At the last mo-
ment he declined to go, and his wife went
without him. He did not attempt to pre-
vent her. Col. d. Aguilar was to be there.
II will not spoil the SPORT" he said to
himself, with smile that would have be-
come Mephstophelcs.
All her friends were there, all but one,
at least, and at first it was with a sense
of relief that she missed him. But hour
after hour wore on, and there was no sign
of Col. d'Aguilar. First she felt restless,
then a little impatient, then angry, and
then she could have cried for the bitter
ness of the disappointment. 1t was four
days since she had seen him, and then he
told her distinctly that he intended to be
| there.
Fee sat down YEARLY on the edge of
one Of the seats. Suddenly she heard
voice pronounce her name, and a quick
thrill Of pleasure went to her heart. He
had come at last! She forgot her anger,
her Impotence, and the weary hours she
had spent waiting for him, and looked up
with a glad smile.
"At lasty' she said. 81 had given you
up long ago. am so tired of all this"
she added, in a whisper; 'let us walk a
little"
And then she perceived that he was
slightly lame.
'Then it is true, what some one told
me, that you have sprained your ankle?''
she uttered hastily. ''That kept you away
and it hurts you to walk"
mot at ALL" he answered.; "it is moth
ing. That did not keep me away"
"What, then?" Fee asked, quickly.
Col. d'Aguilar was silent.
What kept you away?" she repeat ted.
81 do not think l can tell you, Mrs.
Clayton"
"Do tell me-" she whispered, pressing
his arm ever SO slightly.
II tried very hard to make sacrifice ~
he answered slowly, land failed"
What sacrifice"
'The sacrifice of my hearts desire to
your peace"
Fee trembled and was silent.
See" she said, "the fireworks are be
ginning" and at that moment blaze OF
light shot forth into the skies and seemed
to illumine the whole garden and river
There was rustic garden bench standing
in a niche of arbutus and laurel.
LET US sit down." Mrs. Clayton said
II know your foot pains you"
II was so disappointed when you sdit
not come" Fee said presently. 81 hat
just made up my mind to send for tn,
carriage and go home. came alone, yol
| KNOW" .-E
"Alone? thought Mr.. Clayton wa
to be here"
"He would not come. think he woult
do anything rather than spend an hour il
: my company" she added bitterly. can
not go on living like this" she broke on