The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-09-05
g. said ahe conld gtudy ber part best

she said she could study her part best
there"
Mr.. Hastings left the room and turned
his steps in the direction Of the picture
gallery. It was an intensely hot after
noon, and all the doors were thrown woe
open. He looked into the long, unearpet-
ed room, and saw there new picture
in a new frame He stood and gazed at
it longer and with deeper feelings than ne
had ever gazed at any other picture
there; ii was the only one that was not
hist was the only one he cared Tor OF
desired ardently. Framed in the DARK
oak of the window setting was nthe'
graceful figure, half reclined, and falr'
upturned face. Enrol half feared to break
the spell that he stood watching. Pres-
emily Impotence overcame the fascina'
ton. He went toward her, and the noise
of his footsteps aroused her.
sWere you studying or thinking, MISS
Eyre?" he asked.
II hardly know, Mr.. Hastings. Ihlnk-
ing, perhaps" .,.-
sit is too warm to study or think, eth
err. Have you ever seen the Hazel poF
trait gallery?"
"Never."
SHOULD you like to see it?"
II should, indeed"
"Geme with me and Twill show 1t to
you. Wait moment though; must get
the key; always keep that room locked.
She waited, looking out Of the window
into the rose garden. In minute he re-
turned. She followed him and heard the
echo as he turned the massive key in the
lock. He stood aside a moment for her
to pass, and then she heard the heavy
door close behind them. A feeling half
of fear crept into her heart. She dared
not turn; a dim consciousness of what
was passing in his mind seemed to over
shadow her. One by one she gazed at the
portraits on the wall, at the beautiful
gracious-looking women and the stalwart
men, to some Of whom the present MT.
Hastings bore such a striking likeness
Presently she dropped her eyes from the
wall and turned to him. She began
sentence and then paused abruptly blood
red with confusion at the intensity of his
gaze. He put his hand on hers and es-
sayed to draw her toward him, but she
turned sharply away, trembling and
frightened.
"My love, my darling!' he cried, in
deep, strong voice, ''do not let us misun-
derstand each other any longer. You 10y
ed me once; you do love me still, little,
/ believe. Why should there be mistrust
and constraint between us T''
His words were very sweet in her ears,
but the false pride that had tormented
her so long would not let her be happy
he orfSic Of hnr Hpn She
drew herself away.
"You have seen the wives that all the
former Hastings have chosen-some no
BILE, all fair. swear before heaven none
of them have been loved and revered as
you shall be If you will be the last Of the
raceI 0, my darling! do not let a false
pride make all our lives one long bitter
ness"
Tears came into her eyes-large tears
that gathered and brimmed over, running
down the fair face and making it sad.
II loved you once,'' she half sobbed-
'loved you with all my heart, as could
| never love again. was only poor, lit
tie country girl then; you were a hero
and god to me, something different from
any one 7 had seen before, and because
I was simple and ignorant, and--loving,
you despised me, and you treated Miss
| Champion with honor and courtesy be-
cause she was fine lady, and-and you
thought I was only farmers daughter
And W'inifred sobbed with passionate
Indignation at the remembrance of her
wrongs. Mr.. Hastings was fairly angry.
Her tears moved him to Impotence.
"Will you never cease uphraiding me?''
he exclaimed. "Have not atOned to you
enough? Have I not humbled myself be-
fore you as l believe in truth none of ou1
race ever humbled himself before? Once
for all, Winifred, will you take the love
1 offer you or do you reject me now and
| foreverW
''I reject your
He was gone even before the better i'm
pulse, surging quickly into her heart
moved her to call him back, crying:
~ did not mean itw
She felt then she had thrown away hel
own life, her own happiness, and she
crouched down by the window utterine
great, gasping sobs Of remorse and an
guish.
From that time Mr.. Hastings manner
to her was changed. He was courteous
but in no wise different in his behavior
to her than to the other ladies who visit
ed the Court. And when she though
he no longer cared for her, her love fol
him revived ten-fold and she almos
broke her heart for him.
CTo be continued.I
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