Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-08-25
CHAPTER XXI.

when the Colonel came there was an
embarrass ssment in his manner towards
Mrs. Clayton; he was grave, kind and
courteous, as though there had been no
more than an ordinary friendship be-
tween them. He was resolved not to
speak a single word of love to her. He
felt her wealth to be barrier between
them, and could not bear to say what
was in his heart for her, for fear
any doubt Of his great love should come
between them-for fear any base thought
should creep in and see a sordid desire
III the renewal of his passion for her.
The last few months had been very
painful to him. When he heard of Fran
els Clayton's sudden death, feeling that
he was ashamed OF came over him. He
was not glad. not actually glad--nay, he
felt kind of pity for the man who had
been cut off in the prime of his life. self
ish and ill-spent though it had been; but
he could not forget that Fee was free.
He felt that she must be the first to hold
communication with him. Would she do
so? Did she still care for him. and had
she believed truly in the unselfshness
of his renunciation of her?
Mrs. Hastings was by no means salts
fed with the progress of the affairs. In
stead of the first natural reserve between
Col. d'Aguilar and her friend being dissi-
pated it seemed TO grow stronger each
day. They avoided, above all things, be-
ing left alone together. Winifred want
ed to help them; she felt certain they car
ed fer each other, and, besides, women
in the first flush of a happy marriage are
always inveterate match makers.
"Errol," said his wife one day at lunch,
st want to drive you over to the Manor
this afternoon. | am going to see grand
papa, and he has grown so fond of you
he never likes me to go without you"
You forget, DEAR replied Mr.. Hast
ings, '.we cannot be so uncourteous as to
leave our guests"
"How stupid and provoking men are!'
Winifred thought, pettishly. She look
ed up at Col. d'Aguilar pleadingly
"You will excuse him. will you not?''
81 was intending to ask permission to
ride over and call on Lord Lancing this
afternoon" he answered, fabricating a
polite fiction for the occasion.
'And | have a headache and do not
care to go out" said Mrs. Clayton.
'"Then we shall go over to the Manor
as you wish, Winifred. Have you order
ed the ponies?'
mo, please ring the bell, and say 3
o'clock
81 am just going round to the stables
Will you come, d'Aguilar? What will
you ride this afternoon?' and the two
gentlemen went off together.
Fee" said Winifred, suddenly, ''you
and Col. d'Aguilar are very provoking"
How, Winifred?'
"You are so strange and distant to each
other. Why do you not let him see you
care for him?''
Il do not think he cares for me any
longer Mrs. Clayton answered. despond-
ingly.
How can you be so blind. Fee? You
must know what he feels. Is it not quite
natural that he should hesitate to remind
you of the past now that you are rich?"
But, Winifred, a woman cannot speak
first"
"Of course you cannot ask him to mar
ry you, but you can let him see that you
are not utterly Indifferent to him."
Mrs. Clayton made no answer.
1T is so tiresome of him to go OUT"
continued Winifred. presently.
"And defeat your intentions, little
match maker" added Fee, looking up.
When Errol and his wife had started
Mrs. Clayton took her book to the green
room and began to read. Col. d'Aguilar
came to fetch letter he had written in
the morning. A sudden thught crossed
Fees mind that sent the blood rushing