Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-06-30

ders him a general favorite. Perhaps
some day he will return, and shall have
an opportunity Of introducing him to
you"
Winifred bent down her head in silence.
| Miss Champion looked up, and a glance
of malicious light shot from her cold, blue
eyes.
"An introduction between such init
mate friends would scarcely be neces-
sary," she remarked in her clear voice,
that was heard from one end of the long
table to the other. 81 should think Miss
Eyre and Mr.. Hastings would be greatly
| amused at such a foEmality, after their
rambles in the Hazell woods"
The crimson blood dyed Winifred's s
cheeks until tears of modification stood
in her eyes. Poor child! she was not yet
sufficiently used to the way Of the world,
to parry such cruel shafts. But Lord
Harold stood by her friend.
THAT was hardly fair Of you, Miss
Champion" he said, coolly, "to take the
words out of your cousins mouth. l
wish Miss Eyre could have heard the
fattering speech Hastings made about
her once, before a room full of young la
dies; they were awfully jealous of it"
One vivid glance of thanks shot from
under Winifred's long lashes; Lord Har-
old, seeing it, was rewarded. Miss Cham
pion noted it, too, and was bitterly an
gered. But she smiled sweetly as she
said:
Miss Eyre will scarcely thank you
for your hasty championship. Your words
almost seem to accuse me of betraying
something she wished to conceal
And laughing still. she walked to the
window, bitterly conscious that she had
ruined her last chance with Lord Harold.
That same evening Miss Alton dismiss
ed her maid. and betook herself to brush
her pretty hair in Winifred's room, for
whom she had conceived a violent fancy.
"I'm sure you're not tiredr' she ex-
claimed, as she was admitted, in answer
to her summons; land want to have a
chat with YOU"
"No. am not tired. at ALL" Winifred
answered; "and l think there's 10 time
for talking like this, when one has a sort
of guilty feeling that one ought to be
in bed.'
well, then,, exclaimed Fee, laughing,
sslet's be prepared to do without our beau
ty sleep for once and begin. am going
to call you Winifred, and you must call
me Fee-no one ever thinks of saying
Marion. Not that l approve of people
calling each other by their Christian
names as a rule" ratified on the little
fairy, because it leads to familiarity, and
familiarity, we are wisely told, breeds
contempt. It's the greatest mistake to
be too intimate-people are sure to quar-
rel; but | don't think we shall; so, if you
do not mind, let it be Winifred and Fee"
In which arrangement Miss Eyre con-
CURED heartily.
"And now / want to confide in you,"
continued Fee. because 1 am the most
miserable creature in the world, and
want advice. and l know you are good
and sensible. Don't be offended" she
went ON in her quick, droll way; Il don't
mean anything disparaging by saying you
are sensible. l know it's generally con-
s;dered an odious trait in young people to
be sensible; but you couldn't be anything
that wasn't nice, because you are so pref
ty and clever. want to talk to you about
Col. d'Aguilar and Mr.. Clayton. Which
do you like the mostY
"You cannot ask me such a question
seriously!'' exclaimed Winifred. ''At all
events, you cannot have any doubt as to
my answer"
''Then you don't like Mr. Clayton?''
Indeed I do not" replied Winifred,
earnestly. "He seems to have a cynical
disbelief in good, a sneering mistrust of
kind actions, that never goes with a good
or benevolent nature. l would rather
die ten thousand times over than come to
suspect every thought and action of the
people I lived WITH
81 know what you say Of Francis
Clayton to be true; despise him in my
heart. / have not shadow of hope that
shall ever approach to a feeling of love
for him. He is malicious-he is cruel
he is revengeful. And yet, knowing all
this, it will not hinder me from selling
myself to him if he cares to buy me. l
think he will. I think if it were only to
triumph over Col. d'Aguilar he would
marry me- Winifred, do you know love
that man with all my heart-with all the
love of which poor. vain, frivolous ma
ture like mine is capable? and yet l can
not sacrifice society and fashion for his
sake I wonder why all the men who
are worth loving are poor"
''You would give up such a man as
Col. d'Aguilar and take MIR. Clayton,
for the sake of his money"
Fee nodded her head.
''Yes, so would you if you had led my
life, and been brought up as l have been.
What can l do?" and she stamped her
foot impatiently; 81 have no money; my
aunt has none to give me. Col. d'Aguilar
has only a pittance barely sufficient for
himself. Riches, they say, cannot give
love or happiness; but poverty can take
away one and destroy the other. I have
no other alternative"
"Dear Miss Alton,' said Winifred, 81
beg of you with all my heart to think we'll
before you make up your mind to marry
a man like this Mr.. Clayton. Think what
it must be to spend the best part of your
life with man you cannot love-a man
you might perhaps get to hate!'
Fee laughed a little unnatural laugh,
and put her fingers to her ears.
"Hushr' she said; ''do not talk in that
way. / know all you can say. After ALL
who Knows? Mr.. Clayton may never do
me the honor to propose to me, and then
how foolish / shall look! Goodnight,
me once more. Goodnight
And the little fairy tripped off to her own
room.
CHAPTER TX.
And yet the very next night Fee tap
ys,,sR Jo1 -