The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER vi.

Court; and only Lord Harold Erskine ana
Mr. LIE Marchant remained. 1t was the
fourth day after the ball, and Mr.. HEST
Ings was alone that evening. At seven
o'clock he strolled toward the woods. lie
told himself he hoped he should not meet
Miss Eyre; it would be so awkward 30
unpleasant; and yet he went in the dlrec-
ton that she always took on her return
from the cottage, and at the very hour ne
knew she should pass. When Enrol saw
Winifred coming along slowly and sadly
through the woods he could no longer
conceal from himself the delight he expe-
rienced at seeing her again.
Winifred appeared unconscious OF MN
until she came close to the gate, and then
she looked up with an air of cool indif-
ference that might have be6tted the best
bred woman in Europe. Enrol did not
open the gate, but put his hand across 10
her. She affected not to see 1t. MISS
Eyre" he said, will you not even take
my handP
'No, thank you," answered Winifred,
coldly; II do not choose to be known one
day and unnoticed the next"
"What do you mean, Miss Eyre? do
not understand you"
81 mean this, Mr.. Hastings; We have
met several times, and was roohsn
enough to imagine that 1t was on equal
terms until you reminded me BY passing
me unnoticed with your high-born friends,
that you were the lord of the manor, ana
/ only farmers daughter"
"Miss Eyre" he said, quickly, ut Is i'm
possible you should attribute motives SO
false and mean to me-"
"Why impossible?" Winlfred asked. Il
know nothing of you. Mr.. Hastings"
Her self-command in this speech was
wonderful, for her heart was futtering
unanimously, as a woman's heart always
does when she Is saying bitter thing to
the man she loves. There was silence
for a moment, and then she said quietly
"Will you let me pass, Mr.. Hastingsr
'No," he cried suddenly and passionate
ly, "you shall not pass until you have
recalled those words"
"Then must retrace my steps," Whi'
fred said, looking at his defantly.
He seized her hand.
"You shall not go until you tell me
why you are so bitter and angry with me
to-day"
81 am not angry or bitter" she quickly
replied, forcing back the rebellious tears
"Only-"
"Only whatT
"Do not torture me, Mr.. Hastings" ex
claimed Winifred. "It Is cruel, unmanly
of you. Let me go! will not tel you.
"But you shall tell mep' he said, still
keeping hold of her hand, and there wal
a dangerous light in his eyes that mad'
her half afraid Of him.
II do not wish to tell you-you forc'
me to it!' she cried.
81 will not stir from here except yo'
tell me-"
Wiuifred's voice was half choked witt
excitement as she answered: Then hea
it. hate you! You have been cruel, In
considerate, unjust to me-"
"Ip' said Enrol.
"Yes, you. You tried to make a simple
inexperienced, country girl care for you
with your refinement and fascinatlons
and when you succeeded you despised he
for her folly, and turned away from he
contemplate simplicity to the woma
who, from her birth and station, wa
worthy Of your real love-"
s'Winifred! Miss Eyrew exclaime
Enrol. show can you have mistaken m
so? Do you imagine there Is anyone /
the world but yourself for whom care
ayes. for your betrothed, Miss Chan
pion, Mr. Hastings"
81 am neither betrothed to Miss Chan
pion nor yet to any other woman" b
exclaimed, quickly.
'Do not attempt to deceive me any fui
ther," Winifred said, with Eush of al
ger. "Your relations with Miss Chan
pion can scarcely be doubtful, after ycu
opening the ball with her before all you
grand friends"
Miss Eyre" he said, gravely, will 20
accept my solemn assurance that | hay
NOT asked Miss Champion to be my wifi
and that | have no intention Of doing SC
There is only one woman in the worl
that | love. and love her with all II
passion Of my soul. Because she is {
dear to me, am going to leave my coul
try. and the home for which | hay
longed, and am going to be wander'
again on the face of the earth."
- "You are going away?" cried Winifre
in a tremulous voice.
"Yes, am going away from countr
home and friends, because, being net
her, cannot control my passionate Ion
ing for her; | cannot tear my though
from her, or bring myself to look wit
love or admiration on any other woman
The gate was open now, and Mr.. Has
ings had taken Winifred In his arms.
"My darling" he whispered, do yC
know who that woman ISL"
Winifred was confused, surprise
ashamed, and yet withal tumultuOus jC
overshadowed her whole being. The
this fairy tale was true, after all, an
this splendid, gallant knight was at h
feet in all truth and sincerity.
"Winifred," he said, passionately, "loC
into my eyes, and tell me that you lO7
me-"
She raised her beautiful, shy brow
eyes to his, and he bent down and kiss
her so fondly, so tenderly, that she cou
no longer doubt his truth. And tht
there was a silence, a long silence.
the spell Of the day dream seemed t
sweet to be broken by words.
Miss Eyrew he said finally,
cannot marry you. dare not al
your forgiveness, but you must list'
TO me for one moment. The fir
time | saw you loved you, and eve
time that we have met since | have low
YOU more and more, until at last almc
felt as il existence without you was Il
possible. | resolved to leave England
to go abroad, somewhere where shou
be removed from the temptation Of seei
or hearing of you. But to-day, when
saw you coming toward me, all 1
strength failed me. Do you know th
for centuries back my race have suf'
ed for one rash vow? Time after til
they have sacrificed their love, tn
hopes to il, and dared not be the fl
to break it by marrying one who, thou
my equal. nay, my superior in all ell
was beneath me in rank. must so avs
must forget you"