Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-02
CHAPTER IX.-(Cou.lneedl

Inc party AZ Ehuoh NAtN was "N'.tR
up. Lady Marion Alton on being IN.
formed OF her nieee's engagement had
come to Endon Vale and carried heT on
20 London, aud thence 70 pay visit to
Berkshire. Francis Clayton had left tbs
day before for London. Miss Champion
had stayed on, 10 the hope Of winning
back Lord Harold to his allegiance; but
now that she found each day attracting
him more and more to her cousin, she
could endure II no longer. The visit to
Lady Grace. from which she had anticI-
pated such great results, had been
fraught with the most bitter mortihca'
tlon.
That same evening while Lady Grace
was 10 her own little sanctum reading,
Wlnlfred knocked at her door and, In an
swer to her "come In.' the girl went In
aud shut the door.
Lady Grace looked up and smiled
kindly. and then she looked again. Wlni'
fred did not seem bright and beaming
as was her wont-she was nervous, and
there were tear stains on her face.
What Is II, my love? You have been
crying!" There was such tender soiici-
tude In the tone that II was too much for
the girls oyerstrung nerves, and the tears
came thick aud fast.
20 Lady Grace, am so grieved!
"Grleved. my chld1 You have not had
bad news from homer
"Oh, no, not that; but ! am 80 afraid
you will be angry with me and never for
give me. 1t ls about Lord Harold Ers'
kline" Wlnifred said, nervousiy, and a
sudden chill came Into the heart OF the
elder lady, for she was very fond OF her
nephew.
About Harold. my dearf'
"I.ord Harold asked--asked me to mar
ry him this morning; and. oh, Lady
Grace, am so sorryV
"Sorry that he asked you TO marry
himf'
Because Lady Grace. never
dreamt Of such a thing~l thought hi.
position made him 80 far beyond me.
thought he was kind to me, just from
generous-mindednes like you, that
might not feel strange at coming int
society | was not used TO-"
"Then you do not love himr'
II do like him very much--l could no
help Il. he Is so good--but. oh, dear Lad,
Grace. I could not marry him" aud th'
tears rained down.
"Then you have refused himT'
II told him the truth--l could not de
ceive him."
And then all OF a sudden II flashed OF
Lady Grace Farquhar's mind that there
was something noble and high-minded II
this girls refusing such a position ant
such wealth because she did not love th'
mau. A more worldly minded woman
would have held such romantic folly II
contempt. aud thought the girl a foo
for her pains; but not no Lady Grace
Still there was a momentary struggle II
her heart before she rose from her sea
and kissed Winifred.
"My love-" she said sweetly, II thlnl
you have done quite right, II you feel SURF
in your own mind that you cannot Low,
him. But are you quite sure? Harold Il
kind and good; he Is handsome, and i
rich--ought you not to weigh everything
In your mind thoroughly before you dc
cider
II like him, respect him, but do no
love hlm-l cannot marry himw conclud
ed Winifred, piteously.
Every well, my dear, will say n,
more. | am sorry, for my boys sake, ant
l should have been well content to hav,
you for niece"
And then the kind-he0rted woman tool
the sobbing girl in her arms and Wini
fred laid her head on the kind breast
aud cried to her hearts content. Their
was good deal more talk before the tw
parted, and it was settled that Winifre
should go home the next day but one
and stay there few weeks; and the
she should pay Endon Vale another visit
when Lord Harold should have left. Blu
Lord Harold left that very day, after see
Ing and confding In his aunt. His part
Ing words were;
Aunt, do you think there is any hop
that she will ever come to care for me? ?
Lady Grace kissed his forehead an
stroked his head very tenderly.
II cannot tell, my boy, but am afrai
not" et9