Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-08-06

sou have completely identified yourself
with that forlOrn maiden"
Winlfred turned her eyes dreamily TO
the speaker. II was not even thinking Of
Oenone." and then her hand closed the
book which had been open at her favor
ite poem.
Confess now--you are jealous Of the
attention Lord Harold pays your cous,ny r.
Winifred laughed gayly.
20, Fee, you are bad diviner Of Sc
crets. am waiting 10 daily hope that he
will propose 10 her. could not fancy
two people better suited"
II could"
"Who. Fee?"
yourself and Erroi Hastings"
20, Fee" cried Winifred, with impa-
tient pain, why do you speak OF him?
You know all Is over between usF'
II should like to speak just this once.
dear; aud II you will hear me, will be
silent In future. know that Errol loved
you very dearly; cannot but believe you
cared for him. Do not let some foolish
trifie. some false pride. mar the happiness
OF all your lifew
Mrs. Clayton spoke with intense earn
estness, and when she finished, tears of
passionate regret stood in Winifred's
eyes.
ut Is too late, Fee! You do not un-
derstand. Your words only make me
more miserable"
why too later
Because ! behaved wickedly to him;
because he must despise me, aud because
he viii go and marry that French woman.
who loves him and lets him see It."
"Did you refuse him, theng"
Don't ask me, Fee. think my pride
blinded me. II could atone for it now
think | would ask him ON my knees to
marry me. cant tell you the true story.
| know you love me and would not will
ngly pain me. have sealed my fate
with my own folly. Do not ever speak
about 1t again"
1t was nearly the end OF September
when Mr.. Hastings called one afternoon
at Endon Vale. As he rode up the ave-
nue. he met Mrs. Clayton sauntering
down II.
Mr.. Hastings" she cried, with real
pleasure in her voice; al have wanted to
see you such long time
He dlsmounted and walked along by
her side, leading his splendid bay horse.
There Is nobody at home but me-
they are all gone to picnic and should
have been with them but for one OF my
bad headaches"
''It Is better now, trust. You do not
look Ill"
"No; am getting quite strong here.
Lady Grace is so good to me, and Wini-
fred" she added, looking sidelong at him
~ think | never knew any one so sweet
and thoughtful"
She noted the slightest quiver Of his
lip, but he said nothing-merely bent his
head as though in polite acQuiescence.
"Will you not come into the houseT
she asked.
"Not unless you are going" Ind they
went together into what was called the
avn garden.
Sam to congratulate your" she said,
looking up at him suddenly.
Congratulate me, Mrs. ClaytonT' he
repeated after her. "On what?"
II heard you were going to marry The
Princess Zelikoff."
"Then some one has been taking an un-
warrantable liberty with the Princess
Xelkoff's name."
"Not altogether unwarrantable, Mr..
Hastings"
Surely, yes. am quite certain that
she never gave the slightest foundation
for such report"
"Come. confess now that it looks rather
suspicious when a gentleman takes a lady
8 cruise in his yacht"
"My dear Mrs. Clayton, what do you
meant"
did not your cousin and the princess
accompany you on your yachting expedi-
tionW
Most certainly not. No one went with
me but lie Marchant and Ashburton."
Mrs. Clayton looked rather blank, but
felt secretly pleased,
"Then we have all been misinformed,"
she said, laughing. "And, forgive my
but, seriously, you are not
engaged to the princessw
II am not. l feel greatly vexed that
there should have even been a discussion
about the matter"
Mrs, Clayton sat down on garden
bench; she was silent for moment, and
then, looking up In her companions face,
said, with some hesitation:
1--WE are old friends, Errol-are we
notT"
"We are, indeed" he returned, smiling,
with some surprise.
"May take an old friends liberty?"
she asked again, with still more hesita.
tion.
"You may do anything that you wish
or please" he answered.
And you promise not to be offendedT
II promise sacredly"
THANK you. Then, Enrol, am going
to say something exceedingly distasteful
to myself and perhaps painful to you, for
which some one else would, think, never
forgive me. l am bold-am not?"
"You are enigmatical," Mr.. Hastings
replied, still smiling.
II like you very sincerely; | love her."
Mrs. Clayton went on, hastily, "and |
want you both to be happy; therefore |
am about to perform a Quixotic action,
which may be the means Of losing me
your friendship and her love. l see you
frown! perhaps you guess of whom am
speaking"
II would rather have certainty than
4 surmise," he said, gravely; tell me, II
you please"
II speak of Winifred Eyre. My task
IS all the more difficult because do not,
IN truth, know, nor can / guess at the
which has caused your es-
lrangement Do not be angry with me,
Errol, | must ask you one Question--do
you love herT
Il love her" he said, seeming to force