The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-08-20
CHAPTER Xxx.

although she did not, or course, poseesS
more than a tithe of her husbands IN
come. Still, that was enough to give her
every luxury that she had been accus-
toned to- and to keep her in manner
beftting her station. She could not pre-
tend any deep sorrow for the loss OF a
man who had been cruel, neglectful and
almost brutal to her; but the time she
had been absent from him had in meas
ure softened the harshness Of the prevl-
GUS memories, and the sad fate whicn
had overtaken him forbade in her forgiy'
ing heart the angry remembrance OF past
wrongs.
Perhaps, aunt" she said, in low, re-
gretful voice, ''if | had been more for
bearing and less provoking to him he
might have been different all the time.
Lady Marion looked up from her book.
''It is always right, dear, to think kind
ly of people who are gone, and should
feel 1t wrong to speak against Francis
Clayton now; but | cannot help thinking
that no amount Of goodness or gentleness
could have touched heart so bitter and
cynical as his"
Mrs. Maxwell declined absolutely to be
present at Winfred's wedding. As she
was utterly Indifferent now to the favor
or disfaVor of her relations, she did not
trouble to make any excuse. but content
ed herself with saying she did not feel
inclined to be one Of the party.
Il always dislked the girl, aud thought
her intriguante." she wrote to her moth
er. 1T would be perfect farce for me
to be present at her marriage. | have
not the least sympathy with her success,
although | admit she has played her
cards WE'LL"
The wedding was none the less happy
or magnificent for Mrs. Maxwell's abb
sence; everyone pronounced it very
splendid affair; and this time the sympa-
thies OF all were enlisted for the bride
and bridegroom were both young and
handsome and happy. Sir Howard gave
Winifred away, and her husband receiv-
ed her with infinite gladness and tender
ness. All the farmers and villagers came
round to see Miss Eyre, ''that they had
known from a child" married.
At HAZEL Court there were great fes-
tiyities; dinners for all the tenants, and
games and fireworks In the evening. and
a real military band from London.
Captain lie Marchant was best man, OF
course; Ada FOrdyce chief bridesmaid,
and Lord Harold Erskine was able to be
present without suffering any pangs of
jealousy. He was to be married himself
in a months time. Madame de MontO-
lieu had actually been persuaded to be
present at the wedding.
when we come back you will always
live with US, dear madame" Winifred
had said.
"Not yet. my love-" the old lady an
swered. "Young people are best by them
selves at first. shall ask Lady Grace
to keep me a little longer; and then. IL in
six months or a years time you care to
have me, | shall rejoice to come to you."
The spring had come round again, and
Mr.. and Mrs. Hastings were at Hazell
Court. Mrs. Clayton was staying with
them. She was herself again now-not
so bright and sparkling, perhaps. as in
the old days. but very sweet and good.
She and Winifred were sitting together
in the green morning room as the twilight
was coming on.
II think the old Court Is decidedly i'm
proved by the presence of a mistress" +"
said Mrs. Clayton presently. II always
thought it charmng-now it Is perfect" I"
Winifred laughed short. happy laugh.
"Oh, do you really think so? 1t seems
to me the place ought to have a much
grsnder mistress than l. Fancy a girl
brought up to a simple country life com
ing to such state and grandeur! feel
as il ought to be like Lady Burleigh,
and. instead of making myself so thor
Oughly at home, to pine away and die"
ut is a good thing Enrol Is not here
TO hear you, or. he would be very angry
at your saying such foolish things. II
ever anyone was born with a thorough
appreciation of the pomps and vanities of
the world. il is you, | think. 1t makes
me laugh when remember how you used
90 preach to me about love in a cottage,
and marrying the man you loved il he
had not a shilling
"And so | would have married Enrol II
he had been as poor as"
''Be thankful. ma belle. that your love
was not put to sEch a terrible test"
There was silence for few moments,
and then Mrs. Clayton spoke again, with
voice that betrayed some agitation:
"Winifred, did you ever know how
much cared for Col. d'Aguilar?"
II knew he cared a great deal for you,
Fee"
"And you thought because I could not
make up my mind to share poverty with
him, that did not love him?"
may, Fee. | would not say that"
"Well. them" cried Mrs. Clayton, i'm
petuously. II tell you loved him both
before and after | married Francis Clay
ton-,better after, perhaps, than before.
l may as well confess the whole: am
not afraid Of your repeating it. When [
was so miserable we met again in Lon
don, and it seemed my only comfort to
get his sympathy for my trouble. At
last we parted, with the intention of not
meeting again. | have never seen or heard
of him since. | can CUES why he keeps
away"
"You think he does not like to seek
you because you are rich as well as
free?' Winifred suggested,
Mrs. Clayton bent her head.
"And want you to do something for
me-" she said, after a pause.
ITO ask him here, darlingy" said Wini-
fred, gently.
Yes" answered Fee. simply.
"Errol shall write to him at once. |
know he likes him. suppose he is in
EuglandT
Il should think So" and Mrs. Clayton
rose slowly and left the room
Presently Mr.. Hastings came in.
"ErrOlr said his wife.
"Yes, my pet"
Il want you TO write at once ard in
vite Col dAguilar to come and stay"
DO you. dear-whyT
"Neyer mind. You are not to ask any
questions. | cannot tell you the reasons
at all events. not now"
He went up and kissed her
you seem to have an equal opiaion OF
your husbands powers Of divination and
discretion" he said. laughing.
swell. Errol, but will you:H pleaded
Winifred