The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-07-23
CHAPTER Wv.

CHAPTER XIV.
The weeks rolled on and the London
season was at its height Drawing rooms.
concerts. balls, operas, fetes champetres,
flower shows and garden parties went on
as usual to make up the sum Of the gay
worlds pleasures and disappointments.
Mrs. Clayton-one of many, perhaps-had
been leading life Of ftful. feverish hap
piness for the last month. She did not
dare to think-a pause Of retrospection
would either send her headlong down the
precipice that was yawning at her feet
or make her fly from it altogether. And
yet she was so unpardonably weak that
she hesitated and could not bring. herself
to break of all intercourse with Col.
d'Aguilar.
As il to draw the last plank Of safety
away from his wife, Mr.. Clayton treated
her daily worse. He left letters in her
way that could not fail to mortify her.
II they went out together he made point
of keeping her waiting. He never open
ed his lips to speak to her unless he was
poatfTay obliged, and thea his WORDS
We're sneers and taunts. He paid ether
women the most extravagant compli-
ments and attention. In short, but for
Col. d'Aguilar's presence and sympathy,
Fees life would have been uncomfortable.
They met constantly.
One Of the entertainments that was in
tended to rank among the first Of the
season, was q garden party given by the
Honorable Mrs. Vivian Lynedon at her
beautiful villa on the banks Of the river.
No expense was to be spared; amuse-
ment OF every imaginable kind was to be
provided; and the whole was to end in a
display Of such costly fireworks as were
rarely seen, and a dance. Mr.. and Mrs.
Clayton were invited. At the last mo-
ment he declined to go, and his wife went
WITHOUT him. He did not attempt to pre-
vent her. Col. d'Aguilar was to be there.
II will not spoil the sport" he said to
himself, with 4 smile that would have be-
come Mephiabphelcs.
All her friends were there. all but one.
at least, aud at first it was with sense
of relief that she missed him. But hour
after hour wore on, and ther6 was no sigH
OF Col. GAguiiar. First she felt restless,
then little impatient, then angry, and
then she could have cried for the bitter
ness Of the disappointment. 1t was four
days since she had seen him. and then he
told her distinctly that he intended to be
there.
Fee sat down wearily on the edge of
one of the seats. Suddenly she heard a
voice pronounce her name, and a quick
thrill OF pleasure went to her heart He
had come at last! She forgot her anger.
her impatience, and the weary hours she
had spent waiting for him. and looked up
with glad smile.
AT last" she said. 81 had given you
up long ago. am so tired of all this"
she added, in whisper; 'let US walk
little"
And then she perceived that he was
slightly lame.
Then it is true. what some One told
me. that you have sprained your ankle?"
she uttered hastily. That kept you away
--and it hurts you to walk"
mot at ALL" he answered; at is moth
ing. That did not keep me away"
"What, then" Fee asked. quickly.
Col. dAguilar was silent.
what kept you away" she repeated.
81 do not think | can tell you, Mrs.
Clayton"
'DO tell me-" she whispered, pressing
his arm ever so slightly.
81 tried very hard to make a sacrifice"
he answered slowly, land failed"
What sacrifice"
"The sacrifice Of my hearts desire to
your peace"
Fee trembled and was silent.
''See!" she said, ''the fireworks are be-
ginning" and at that moment blaze Of
light shot forth into the skies and seemed
to iIlumine the whole garden and river.
There was a rustic garden bench standing
in a niche Of arbutus and laurel.
"Let us sit down." Mrs. Clayton said.
II know your foot pains you"
II was SO disappointed when you did
not come" Fee said presently. II had
just made up my mind to send for the
carriage and go home. came alone, you
know"
alone? thought Mr.. Clayton was
| to be hereT
"He would not come. think he would
do anything rather than spend an hour in
my company" she added bitterly. l can
not 20 on living like this" she broke out
presently. "My life is a torment to me.
You told me once ! should be miserable
il married him-sre you glad your
words have come trueT
Mrs. Clayton, what do you take me
for?" he cried, moved to passion. Il
Elad-glad that you, whom love with
heart. soul and strength. are tied to :
brute who makes your life a pandemo-
mum upon earth-glad that yeu are part
ed hopelessly from me. and that | cannot
lawfully stir 4 finger to help you when |
am ready to lay down my life for you
Forgive me!' Fee said. quickly; Il did
not mean Il. | feel so bitter-so mad
sometimes-I scarcely know what say
Mrs. Clayton" he answered hoarsely.
''you must not say these things to me.
My blood is on FIRE at your wrongs aud
your misery. You forget how badly. how
hopelessly | love your
Il weighed your love in the balance
with Mr.. Clayton's money once" she
: said slowly, "and my choice has broken
my heart. | am twenty. have no hope
in the world" and an agonized sigh broke
from her. Il know that after tonight |
dare not see you any more. IL had been
! good or wise enough to remember my
duty. and keep from speaking Of my mis-
cry to you. we might have gone on meet
ing as We have done. Tonight We shall
/ part forever"
DO not say that. Mrs. Clayton. How
/ can | leave you to that mans brutality 2
How can you protect me from itf'
she asked sadly.