The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-07-18
CHAPTER VII.

told himself he hoped he should not meet
Miss Eyre; 1t would be SO awkward, 50
unpleasant; and vet he went in the direc-
tion that she always took on her return
from the cottage, and at the very hour he
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 him
until she came close to the gate, and then
she looked UP with an air Of cool indif-
ference that might have befitted the best
bred woman in Europe. Enrol did not
open the gate, but put his hand across to
her. She affected not to see 1t. Miss
Eyre he said, will you not even take
my hand3"
No, thank .you," answered Winifred,
coldly; II do not choose to be known one
day and unnoticed the next"
What do you mean, Miss Eyre2 do
not understand you."
II mean this, Mr.. Hastings; we have
met several times, and was foolish
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, and
only a farmers daughter"
"Miss Eyre" he said, quickly, "it Is i'm
possible you should attribute motives so
false and mean to me" 4
t'Why impossible" Winifred asked. 81
know nothing Of you, Mr.. Hastings"
Her self-command In this speech was
wonderful, for her heart was huttering
unanimously, as a woman's heart always,
does when she Is saying bitter thing to
the man she loves. There was silence
for moment, and then she said quietly:
swim you let me pass, Mr.. Hastings%
"No," he cried suddenly and passionate
Iy, "you shall not pass until you have
recalled those words"
''Then must retrace my steps," Wini-
fred said, looking at his defiantly.
He seized her hand.
"You shall not go until you tell me
why you are so bitter and angry with me
to-day"
IT am not angry OF bitter" she quickly
replied, forcing back the rebellious tears.
"Only--"
"Only what?"
"Do not torture me, Mr.. Hastings ex-
claimed Winifred. "It IL cruel, unmaRSy
of you. Let me go! win not tell you"
"But you shall tell metz he said, still
keeping hold of her hand, and there was
a dangerous light in his eyes that made
her half afraid Of him.
II do not wish to tell you-you force
me to it!' she cried.
II will not stir from here except you
tell me-"
Winifred's voice was half choked with
excitement as she answered. "Then hear
1t. hate you! You have been cruel, in
considerable. unjust to me-"
"I?" said Enrol.
"Yes, you. You tried to make a simple,
inexperienced, country girl care for you,
with your refinement and destinations;
and when you succeeded you despised her
for her folly, and turned away from her
contemplate simplicity to the woman
who, from her birth and station, was
worthy of your real love-"
"Winifred! Miss Eyrev' exclaimed
Enrol, chow can you have mistaken me
SOP Do you imagine there is anyone in
the world but yourself for whom care?"
"Yes, for your betrothed, Miss Cham
pion, Mr.. Hastings"
"I am neither betrothed to Miss Cham
pion nor vet to any other woman" he
exclaimed, quickly.
'sDo not attempt to deceive me any fur
Their" Winifred said, with flush Of an
ger. "Your relations with Miss Cham
pion can scarcely be doubtful, after your
opening Tile ball with her before all your
grand friends"
''Miss Eyre" he said, gravely, twill you
accept my solemn assurance that l have
not asked Miss Champion to be my wife,
and that have no intention of doing so?
There Is only one woman in the world
that | love. and love her with all the
passion of my soul. Because she is SO
dear to me, am going to leave my coun-
try, and the home for which I have
longed, and am going to be a wanderer
again on the face of the earth"
''You are going awayY cried Winifred,
In q tremulous voice.
"Yes, I am going away from country,
home and friends, because, being near
her, cannot control my passionate long
ing for her; cannot tear my thoughts
from her, or bring myself to look with
love or admiration on any other woman"
The gate was open now, and Mr.. Hast
ings had taken Winifred in his arms.
my darling" he whispered, do you
know who that woman ISL"
Winifred was confused, surprised
ashamed, and yet withal tumultuous joy
oyershadowed her whole being. Then
this fairy tale was true, after all, and
this splendid, gallant knight was at her
feet in all truth and sincerity.
.'Winifred," he said, passionately, "look
into my eyes, and tell me that you love
me-" ..--.-
She raised her beautiful, shy brown
eyes to his, and he bent down and kissed
her SO fondly, so tenderly, that she could
no longer doubt his truth. And theI
there was silence, long silence, fol
the spell of the -days dream seemed TOT
sweet to be broken by words.
stIiss Eyrew he said finally, "a
cannot marry you. l dare not ask
your forgiveness, but you must listen
to me for one moment. The first
time saw you / loved you, and ever!
time that we have met since have loves
you more and more, until at last almos
felt as il existence without you was i'm
possible. resolved to leave England
to go abroad. somewhere where shout