Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-07-09
CHAPTER XI.-1CoatInued.l

/ WHAT y AAAh ~ As-NNNEAthANtH
The morning after Alr. Hastings visit,
letter came TO Mr.. Clayton, announcing
that one Of hIa balliffs was supposed 90
have robbed him 10 considerable ex.
tent. The man himself had no Idea that
be was suspected. Francis Clayton was
beside himself; he vowed vengeance
against the dellnquent-he would convict
him--he would get him transportcd-his
wife and children should be reduced TO
shame and beggary!
II 6nd shall have 20 go back TO Eng
land" he told his wife. II shall leave
you here, and return for you In q week
or ten days.'
"oh. do take me with you, Francis. "
said the little hypocrite. pretending to
look disappointed.
"Pshaw! tell you Il Is not conven-
lent"
But what am I to do II you got !
cannot 20 TO all these balls aud dinners
we are engaged TO. alone"
Nonsense. Madame de st. Geran VIII
chaperOn you IL you still want chap
eron," added the agreeable husband, with
sneer. "She knows every friend and
Il At0uhlnthuFe VIC uuNN III y AIlHs
Madame de st. Geran was an old friend
aud fame OF Francis Clayton's, and she
had for some reason tolerated what she
called ''her English bear" Francis Clay
ton, assuming the privileges OF an old
| friend, paid her a most unfashonAbly
early visit, and she received him In a
demi.toile OF elegant simplicity In her
own boudoir, and was most graciously
pleased to accede 10 his request,
Tell madame, your wife," she said, In
parting, "that at nine o'clock this evening
l shall have the honor to call for her to
take her TO the opera aud afterward 10
the ball given by the Duchess de Beau
cour."
Aud Francis Clayton bent over her
hand and kissed II In a manner that
might have edited and astonished ma
dame, his wife. Then he returned 10 the
hotel, delivered the message TO Fee, bade
her go0d.by, and kissing her coldly, jump
ed into his braugham, which was In at
tendance TO convey him to the station.
Madame de st. Geran called for Mrs,
Clayton at the appointed time, and they
spent two hours very pleasantly at the
Opera. during which several gentlemen
OF their acquaintance dropped In 10 set
them, and paid their court to either lady,
as taste or diplomacy suggested. Once
or twice the Frenchwoman looked curl
ously at her lovely companion, who for
once was as bright and sparkling as Ia
the olden days.
"How Is II possible" she thought, "foT
| a man to be Indifferent to a creature SO
dlviner'
They had seen enough of the opera, and
their carriage being called, they drove
OF TO the ball. In the first room Mrs
Clayton met with Mr.. Hastings. She
took his arm, and they joined the dancers
my husband Is away" she whispered
"and shall dance tonight to my hearts
content. II he were here he would not
let me-
The dance was over. and they were
wandering together through the magni
hcent conservatories that led from the
ballroom. Suddenly Mr.. Hastings felt
his companions hand tremble violently
on his arm. and he looked down quickly
into her face. II was crimson with
bushes. The words, "Are you illT' were
on his lips, but at that moment he caught
sight OF Col dAguilar advancing, and
was discreetly silent. A quick glance
an undecided bow, passed between them
and they both moved on. When Mrs
Clayton returned to find Madame de st
Geran, Col. d'Aguiar formed one of the
knot OF men who stood talking with her
They were Obliged to speak then; anc
against her better Judgment, against hei
own resolve, she went back to the ball
room on his arm. They were perfectly
discreet, their conversation was simpl!
such that the merest acQuaintances might
have held; the danger was in the fasci
nation the presence Of each had for The
other. She did not dance with him any
more than she did with Mr.. Hastings; hui
when she went home she reproached her
self bitterly for the time she had spent IN
his society, while she never gave sin
gle thought to Enrol Hastings.
II was three weeks before Mr.. ClaytoI
returned to Paris for his wife, and dur
ing that time she met Col. d'Aguilar al
most every day.
Fee wanted to do her duty-wante(
with all her might, If Francis ClaytoI
had been a little kind and forbearing t
her she would never have suffered
thought even to be false to him. But h,
was cruel, tyrannical and suspicious ant
and-well! she almost hated him. Nov
and then she would make great effort
and strive to be good and patient an(
keep from Quarreling with him, but h,
was 80 bearish and ill-tempered that he
design always failed. She was making
fresh resolves as she sat looking pensive
ly into the fire. on this particular morn
ing, but all Of a sudden her thoughts wer,
most Unexpectedly put to flight by tn,
abrupt entrance of her husband.
"Francisl' she exclaimed. rising ant
kissing him.
"Yes. / suppose you did not expec
me, What wretched irei am almos
f.%en, and the room Is as cold as death
Ring the bell and order me some lunch.
A terrible fear seized on Fee. II b.
was angry and jealous about Mr. Hast
ings, what would he say when he knew
constantly In the society of COL d'Agui
lar2 She had never fully realized he
imprudence until this moment. Wha
could she do? II she told him, he wa
certain to be very violent; IL she conceal
: ed It, and he became aware Of 1t, tn
consequences might be terrible. ut
better to get 1t off my mind at once" sh
determined.
"Mr. Hastings was here this morning
dear. He came to wish me good-by."
"In anticipation Of my return, | sup
pose."
Really, Francis, have scarcely com