Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-07-28
CHAPTER XIV.

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 disappointnents.
Mrs. Clayton-one Of many, Perhaps-had
been leading life of fitful, feverish hap
piness for the last month. She did not
dare to think-a pause of retrespection
would either senG 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 d'Aguilar.
sl5rs As Ii 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.
Ii they went cut 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 compE-
ments and attention. La short, but for
Col. dAguilar's presence and sympathy.
Fees life would have been unendura BILE
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 imag ginable kind was to be
provided; and the whole was to end in a
display of such costly fireworks as were
rarely seen. and a 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'Aguiar was to be there.
Il will not spoil the sport" he said to
himself. with smile that would have be-
come Mephistopheles.
All her friends were there, all but one
at least, and at first it was with 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 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.
one of the seats. Suddenly she heard a
voice pronounce her name, and a quick
thrill of pleasure went to her-heart. He
had come at last! She forgot her anger,
her impatience, and the weary hours she
had spent waiting for him. and locked up
with glad smile.
AT lastv' she said. 81 had given you
up long ago. l am so tired of all this
she added, in a whisper; ''let US walk
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"
''Not at ALL" he answered; sit is moth
ing. That did not keep me away"
What, then?' Fee asked, quickly.
Col. d'Aguilar was silent.
What kept you away?' she repeated.
81 do not think / can tell you, Mrs.
Clayton
''Do tell me- she whispered, pressing
his arm ever so slightly.
81 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.
''Seer' she said, ''the fireworks are be-
ginning" and at that moment a blaze of
light shot forth into the skies and seemed
to illumine the whole garden and river.
There was a rustic garden bench standing
in niche of arbutus and laurel.
''Let us sit down." Mrs. Clayton said.
Il know your foot pains you"
II was so disappointed when you did
not ceme," Fee said presently. Il had
just made up my mind to sead for the
carriage and go home. l came alone. you
know"
alone? I thought Mr.. Clayton was
to be here?'
"He would not come. think he would
do anything rather than spend an hour in
my company" she added bitterly. | can
not 60 on living like this" she broke out