Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-23
CHAPTER XIV.

Winifred was summoned home.
II would gladly let you remain longer,
wrote Lady Grace. ''but you remeusber
my dear, that our original plan was 4
leave for London on the 2Sth. and NJ
Clayton never likes his plans interfere,
with"
On the 25th Of April WinIfred return
ed to End0n Vale. very sorry 10 ieav'
her friend, but with almost sense Of
relief at being freed from the obnoxious
society Of Mr.. Clayton. Everyone wei
coined her with open arms: the house had
not seemed the same without her--it lack.
ed the sunshine, as the old French lady
said.
On the day appointed Sir Clayton and
Lady Grace Farquhar and Miss Eyre
arrived At Eaton Square and were duly
announced In the fashionable chronicles
A new life suddenly opened on the girl
who had spent all her young years in
such quiet, not to say motonony. She
found II very pleasant, although not al
together what II had been IN her dreams
two years before.
Her debut was 20 take plsce at the
house OF Miss Douglas. Lord Harold
Erskine's aunt, q lady occupying a very
decided position In the fashionable world.
aud the entree to whose entertainments
was very generally desired. Lady Grace
was anxious that her protegc should look
her best.
When Wlnifred appeared, dressed. on
the night OF the ball, Lady Grace had
no reason to regret having allowed her
10 exercise her own taste. Her dress was
OF marvellous whiteness and softness.
almost like snow clouds, and here and
there over II were the ajftest white feath-
ers. that might have been fakes OF fallen
snow.
Very late In the evening Mr. Hastings
appeared. As he entered the ballroom he
caught sight OF Wlnlfred talking In a
very animated manner 10 Lord Harold
In an interval of waltzlng. He stood aud
watched her intently; until tonight he
had never thought her beautiful. He had
loved her for her grace, for her pride,
for her innocence; but as she looked and
smiled nov. he felt she had a greater
claim to general admiration than he had
ever dreamed OF.
''And she might have been my wife
now" he thought. How l should have
loved her-how proud should have been
Of her! | wonder II she really cares for
that fellow Erskine?"
At this moment q voice said close to
his ear, as though the speaker had di.
vined his thoughts:
"Will IL be a match. do you thinkf''
He turned with an angry start, and
met the mocking gaze OF Flora Cham
plon.
'You mean Gray and Miss Went.
worth2 think II very probable" Mr..
Hastings answered, curtly.
"Oh. no, that is beyond a doubt.
meant Lord Harold Erskine and-and his
partner"
II cannot form the slightest surmise.
Your cousin"-and he sPoke the word
pointedly-'y0ur cousin Is very beautiful,
and may even do better"
Perhaps be chosen by the descendant
of all the Hastingsf" she asked, with
u scOrnful laugh.
Your penetration seems unusually at
fault tonight, Miss Champion" he re-
turned, coldly; "but pardon me. the dance
is over. am going to seek partner
Tor the next; your card is full, see;"
and he moved of before Flora had time
to intimate her willingness to exchange
his name on her program with that of a
less eligible aspirant. She bit her lip
angrlly as she saw him cross straight !
over to where her cousin stood, and bend |
to speak with her. She could not but |
remark the tender Difference Of his bear |
Ing toward the country girl whom she de-
splsed, and whom she well remembered |
ignoring to him as only formers daugh-
ter. She turned to the quiet, middle-aged |
man on whose arm she leaned, and began |
to talk to him with some Of her old |
brightness and vivacity. He listened |
with admirIng attention, but had very
little to say In reply. Flora felt mex
pressibly bored.
"'This man Is a dolt!" she said to her
self, angrily; "the idea even of all his
money scarcely reconciles me to the hor-
rible tedium of spending so much time
In his company"
Mr.. Maxwell was an excessively un-
rich bachelor OF two-and-
forty. He gave one an impression of
weakness and yielding that made 1t a
matter of surprise he had been allowed
to remain so long In the unblessed estate
Df bachelOrhood. He had met Flora
Champion several times and had admired
her.
"He is rich, she said to herself; ''he is
rs weak as water, and he Is greedy
hree admirable qualities for a husband
whom you do not want to care about!
Why should not marry him2"
Meanwhile Mr.. Hastings has crossed
,ver to where Winifred was standing,
engaged In laughing conversation with
Lord Harold, a bright smile on her lips
ind apparently very happy. She did not
zee Errol until he came up to her, and
hen she stopped in sentence and chang
ID color. She felt quick thrill of pleas
ire when she saw his handsome face
,ent on her with genuine admiration.
some sudden thought Of forgetting her
ride and yielding to her love came surg
ng into her brain; and then her second,
lew, unnatural self rebelled, and she
,reeted him with cold, Indifferent smile.
you will dance with me, WinifredW
lie whispered, as Lord Harold turned to
peak to someone behind him.
II am engaged for every dance, thank
'ou."
MAY come and call in Eaton
,quare?''
"I dare say Lady Grace win be pleas
d to see you."
"But your
at Is NV dntv ~ he nlaaaad to 500 aov
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