Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-06-11
cnAPTER M.

Mr.. I.e MaFchant remained. II was tho
fourth day after the ball, aud Air. Hast
ingn was alone that evening. At seven
o'clock he StrolIed toward the woods. He
told himself he hoped he should not meet
Miss Eyre; II would be so awkward, 10
unpleasant; and yet he went In the direc-
tlon that she always took on her return
from the cottage, and az the very hour he
knew she should pass. When Errol saw
winlfred coming along slowly and sadly
through the woods he could no longer
conceal from himself the delight he expei
rIenced at seeing her again.
Winlfred appeared unconscious OF him
until she came close to the gate, and then
she looked up with an air OF cool lndlf.
ference that might have beAtted the best
bred woman 10 Europe. Enrol did not
open the gate, but put his hand across TO
her. She affected not to see II. Miss
Eyre" he said, Twill you not even take
my handr'
mo. l thank you." answered Winifred,
coldly; II do not choose TO be known one
day and unnotlced the next"
What do you mean, Miss EyreI do
not understand you"
II mean this, Mr.. Hastings; We have
met several times, and was foolish
enough 10 imagine that II was on equal
terms until you reminded me By passing
mo unnotlced with your hlgh.born friends,
that you were the lord OF the manor, aud
l only q farmers daughter"
Miss Eyre" he said. quickly, ut Is i'm
possible you should attribute motives so
false and mean to me-"
why impossIbIef" Winifred asked. IL
know nothing OF you. Mr.. Hastings"
Her sslt-command In this speech was
wonderful. for her heart was iiuttering
tumultuousiy, as a woman's heart always
does when she Is saying bitter thing 20
the man she loves. There was silence
for . moment, and then she said quietly:
"WIll you let me pass, Mr.. HastingsT
mo" he cried suddenly and passionate
ly. "you shall not pass until you have
recalled those words"
'"rhen must.retrace my steps, Wini'
fred said, looking at his dehantly.
lie seized her hand.
''You shall not 50 until you tell me
why you are so bitter and angry with me
to-day"
II am not angry or bitter" she quickly
replied, forcing back the rsbellious tears.
"0nly-" ~
"0nly whatT
"Do not torture me, Mr.. Hastings" ex-
claimed Winifred. 1T 10 cruel, unmanly
OF you. Let me go! will not tell you"
"But you shall tell mer' he said, still
keeping hold OF her hand, and there was
dangerous light In his eyes that made
her half afraid Of him.
~ do not wish to tell you-you force
me to IT. she cried.
II win not stir from here except you
tell me-"
Winifred's voice was half choked with
excitement IS che answered: sThen hear
it. hate youl You have been cruel, In
conslderate, unjust to me-"
"I2" said Errol,
'sYes, you. You tried to make simple,
inexperienced, country girl care for you,
with your refinement and fascinations;
aud when you succeeded you despised her
for her folly, and turned away from her
contemplate simplicity to the woman
who, from her birth and station, was
worthy Of your real love-"
"Winifredl Miss Eyrev exclaimed
Enrol, ''how can you have mistaken me
so7 Do you imagine there is anyone in
the world but yourself for whom careT
Eyes, for your betrothed, Miss Cham
pion, Mr. Hastings"
81 am neither betrothed to Miss Cham
pion nor yet to any other woman" he
exclaimed, quickly.
"Do not attempt to deceive me any fur
ther." Winifred said, with Aush Of an
ger. "Your relations with Miss Cham
pion can scarcely be doubtful, after your
opening the ball with her before all your
grand friends..t ".Sifs
'Miss Eyre" he said, gravely.. will you
accent my solemn assurance NATL have
not asked Miss Champion to be my wife,
and that have no intention OF doing sQ2
There Is only one woman ID the world
that love. and love her with all the
passion OF my soul. Because she Is so
dear to me, am going to leave my coun-
try, and the home for which have
longed, and | am going to be wanderer
again on the face Of the earth"
"You are going awayT' cried Winifred,
In a tremulous voice.
Eyes, am going away from country,
home and friends, because, being near
her, / cannot control my passionate long
ing for her; cannot tear my thoughts
from her, or bring myself to look with
love or admiration on any other woman" !"
The gate was open now, aud Mr., Hast
ings had taken Winifred in his arms,
"My darling" he whispered, do you
know who that woman isT"
WInifred was confused, surprised,
ashamed, and jet withai tumultuous joy
overshadowed her whole being. Then
this fairy tale was true, after all, and
this splendid, gallant knight was at her
feet In all truth and sincerity.
"Winifred," he said, passlonately, "look
into my eyes, aud tell me that you love
me-"
She raised her beautiful. shy brown
eyes to his, and he bent down and kissed
her 30 fondly, so tender1y, that she could
no longer doubt his truth. And then