The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-08-13
CHAPTER XVIII.

TO Miss Eyre. When he did, be noticed
with some secret pleasure that her color
came and went, and that she seemed
restless and uneasy. Lady Grace was IN
the garden, giving directions to the head
gardener, when Mr.. Hastings Joined her.
81 have come to ask favor of you.
Lady Grace" he said.
81 am sure shall be disposed to grant
it, she answered, pleasantly.
"When your guests are gone, | want
you all to come and spend two or three
days at the Court"
Lay Grace hesitated.@
Il should like it very much," she said,
presently; but Sir Clayton has the great
est dislike to leaving home when he is
once settled"
III | can succeed in persuading him.
will you come? have a particular OBJ
ject in my request"
"0h, yes, with pleasure; | am sure Ma
rion and Winifred will be delighted. But
/ am afraid you will have some difficulty
with my husband"
Mr.. Hastings was, however, more sue
cessful than Lady Grace anticipated. and
won the baronet's consent without much
trouble. The truth was, there was a
very fine library at the Court and Sir
Clayton had for some time past been anx-
ious to consult some old and valuable
works he knew to he there.
When everything was settled, Winifred
heard of the arrangements with conflict
ing feelings. She was almost sorry that
she had been included in the invitation,
her presence could but awaken unpleas-
ant memories in Mr.. Hastings mind.
Tuesday came, the morning was lovely,
and it was arranged that Mrs. Clayton
and Winifred should ride, and that Sir
Clayton should drive Lady Grace over
In his phaet0n. When they arrived at
the Court Mr.. Hastings and his friends
were standing on the steps to receive
them. This time he did not lift Winifred
from her horse and whisper welcome, but
went at once to Mrs. Clayton. Winifred
felt the difference, little bitterly, per-
haps, and yet with quick consciousness
that she had no right to feel it. But
when she was shown to her room glad
thought blotted out the bitterness. Was
it by accident that the walls were ahung
with her favorite prints, and that vases
filled with scarlet geraniums and ferns
her favorite combination-wer disposed
all about the room? Scarcely. 1t must
have been a wish to please her, and IL he
still cared about giving her pleasure,
surely all the love had not died out.
There was dinner party in the even
ing--a very gay, pleasant party, that ev-
eryone enjoyed Afterward Winifred
sang, and was brighter and happier than
she had been for many weeks. Mr..
Hastings had scarcely spoken to her. but
yet she was conscious that he was not
indifferent to her.
The next day he asked her suddenly II
she would like to see her old home once
more.
Eyes" she said, quietly; "will you take
meY"
IF you go alone with me WILL" he
answered.
81 will go, if Lady Grace does not OBJ
ject."
"Shall ask her?"
do"
And they went toward Lady Grace
who was sitting reading by the open win
dow.
81 see no objection said Lady Grace
smiling, except that you always used tc
be so terribly quarrelsome. | think
must exact promise first that there
shall be no disagreement on the way"
Il promise" laughed Enrol.
"And |" added Winifred, shade more
seriously.
"Then consent. smiled Lady Grace.
They went away silently together
neither speaking until they reached tn,
end of the broad gravel drive. Then Mr.
Hastings broke the silence.
"Shall we go through the woods?"
Il should like to very much" she an
swered. II have not been there since
And then she stopped suddenly, remem
bering on what occasion she had beeI
there last.
"Since whenT and he looked keenly a
her.
"Oh, long time ago-more than tw,
years."
do you remember that bankT Erro
asked, suddenly. 1T was there frs
saw you"
Presently they came to a gate; tn
same gate they had stood at more thar
two years ago-the same at which the,
had parted, she suffering, he stung b.
remorse. He had brought her here ol
purpose to test the strength of her low
and forgiveness. He did not open it 70
her to pass through, but stopped an,
leaned against it. She stood in front o
him, waiting patiently, and he looked in
tently at her.
at is two years and two months sine
we were here together last, Miss Eyre
You are greatly changed since then"
For the worse?' she asked, quickly.
"Not as the world would think"
"But as you thinkY
81 scarcely know. They say we are al
the happier when we lose our impulsive
ness and warmth of heart, and becom
cold and Indifferent. You have found
90, no doubtr
His tone was almost harsh, and sh
looked up in his face sadly. and yet wit
infinite patience.
II cannot be angry at your saying 81
Mr.. Hastings, You have the right t
think it,"
"And yet would rather hear you den
1t Indignantly, Miss Eyre"
IF denied 1t, would you believe me ?
He was silent for a moment. Will
there was struggle going on in hi
heart. He had too much chivalry of fee
ing to wish her to confess herself wron
and plead to him, and yet there was
latent pride of spirit that made him fei
it would be unmanly. undignided, for hi
TO make the first advance now, after a
that had gone before. He watched he
unwilling to help her, yet feeling vivid
that she was suffering.
If" she faltered at last-'if though
that in spite of all that is past, you di
not hate me-" and she stopped.
"You know what | feel for you,"
said, quietly, "am likely to changer
Then | should like to tell you ho
much regret the past" she went on.
a low voice. "You do not know how bi
terly have suffered in the past month
because my pride would not let me ow
I-loved you. am ready to make n
atOnement here In this very place, u