The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-09-12

Uoo i HtthASh 1tnu UeeA ppSu at ueE LapQr-
lite poem.
Confess now-you are jealous Of the
attention Lord Harold pays your cousin?"
Winifred laughed gayly.
70, Fee, You are a bad diyiner of se-
crets. am waitiugin daily hope that he
will propose to her. could not fancy
two people better suited"
could. /
"Who, Fee?'
yourself and Enrol Hastings"
%, Feew cried Vinifred, with impa-
tient pain, "why do you speak of him? |
You know all Is over between usr'
Il should like to speak just this once,
dear; and if you will hear me, will be |
silent in future. / know that Enrol loved |
you very dearly; cannot but believe you
cared for him. Do not let some foolish
trihe, some false pride, mar the happiness
of all your lifeP'
Mrs. Clayton spoke with intense earn
estness, and when she finished, tears of
passionate regret stood in Winifreds
eyes.
st is too late, Fee! You do not I'M
derstand. Your words only make me
more miserable"
"Why too late?"
Because l behaved wickedly to him;
because he must despise me, and because
he will go and marry that French woman,
who loves him and lets him see it."
"Did you refuse him, thenY'
"DOn't ask me, Fee. l think my pride
blinded me. If could atone for it now
think would ask him on my knees to
marry me- can't tell you the true story.
/ know you love me and would not will
ngly pain me. 1 have sealed my fate
with my own folly. Do not ever speak
about it 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 it.
mfr. Hastingsr' she cried, with real
| pleasure in her voice; Il have wanted to
! see you such a long time"
| He dismounted and walked along by
her,side, leading his splendid bay horse.
| HHThere is nobody at home but me
they are all gone to picnic, and should
have been with them4but 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 sdelong at him
81 think / never knew any one so sweet
and thoughtful"
She noted the slightest culver of his
lip, but he said nothing-merely bent his
head as though in polite acquiescence.
"Will you not come into the house?'
she asked.
"Not unless you are going" And they
went together into what was called the
AVN garden.
Sam to congratulate your" she said,
looking up at him suddenly.
Congratulate me, Mrs. Clayton?' he
repeated after her. ION what?'
81 heard you were going to marry the
Princess Zelikof."
"Then some one has been taking an un'
warrantable liberty with the Princess
Zelikoff's name"
mot altogether unwarrantable, Mr.
Hastings"
Surely, yes. l am quite certain that
she never gave the slightest foundation
for such report"
"Come. confess now that it cooks rather
suspicious when gentleman takes LAD!
cruise in his yacht"
? 'My dear Mrs. Clayton, what do YOU
!, mean"
. Ibid not.your cousin and the princess
: accompany you ON your yachting expedi
tionW
a Most certainly not. No one went witt
: me but LIE Marchant and Ashburton."
/ ,nI
9 felt secretly pleased.
: "Then we have all been misinformed,
, she said, laughing. 'And, forgive IN
pertinacity; but, seriously you are no
e engaged to the princess"
+ 81 am not. feel greatly vexed tina
q there should have even been a discussio
1 about the matter"
v Mrs. Clayton sat down on a garde
h bench; she was silent for moment, an
v then, locking up in her companions face
n said, with some hesitation:
q "We are old friends, Errol-are W
e not?'
1--WE are, indeed" he returned, smiling
+ with some surprise.
. MAY l take an old friends liberty
a she asked again, with still more heslt'
IS ton.
d "You may do anything that you wis
!. or please" he answered.
IS "And you promise not to be offended
l 81 promise sacredy."
j. "Thank you. Then, Enrol, am goln
% to say something exceedingly dlstastet'
d to myself aud perhaps painful to you II
which some one else would, think, neV'
, forgive me. l am bold-am not?'
a "You are enigmatical," Mr.. dastlnt
n replied, still smiling.
" 81 like you very sincerely; love her
l. Mrs. Clayton went on, hastily, and
l. want you both to be happy; therefore
,r am about to perform Quixotlc actlo
which may be the means of losing II
j. your friendship and her love. see yo
IN ,frown! perhaps you guess of whom a
re speaking" A.,
81 would rather have certainty tn'
i, surmise." he said, graveiy; tell, me-
IS you please" A., 90,
re is all the more difficult because do nc
ir In truth, know, nor can I guess at q
in | circumstance which has caused your