Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-06-19

especially is it wasted if spent in ones
sleeping apartment"
With the help of the walk and other
small occupations the hours somehow
passed, but never before had day
seemed so long to Lettice Vynor. At
length, however, the afternoon drew to
close, and she found herself alone,
her aunt having an invitation to spend
the evening with an old friend. Per
haps Lettice had counted on this when
she dispatched her notes in the morn
ing, but now the time was drawing
near when the favored lover might be
expected, she would have given great
deal to be able to delay his visit.
Twenty times did she wish vainly that
she had sent a different answer, even
IL 1t had resulted in the loss Of both
her friends. Will Haywood as a de-
voted friend and admirer had been
everything that was pleasant; but now
| it came nearer the idea of Will Hey
| wood as a prospective husband-on,
that was a different affair altogether!
For she knew that that was what she
had meant her message to imply, and
that he would be quick so to under
stand it.
| Then at last the doorbell rang, and
Lettice heard footsteps crossing the
hall. The drawing room door opened
and shut again, but her heart was
beating SO loudly that she did not hear
the name that had been announced,
and she advanced to meet her visitor
without raising her eyes from the
ground.
The next moment she felt herself
caught in strong pair Of arms, and
kisses were being rained upon her
face.
my sweetheart-my sweetheartv' a
mans voice whispered passionately
again and again, as if it would never
tire of that delightful repetition.
But what-what was this? The
room whirled round, her eyes closed
and for a moment she could make nc
effort to release herself. For this man
who held her SO masterfully, who was
showering his kisses on her face, and
whispering passionate endearments In
her ear, was not the VIII Haywood
she had expected, but Humphrey
Forde! Humphrey the grave, the
quiet, whom she had imagined to bt
afraid Of her! Why was he here1 And
why, why had she not known before
what those kisses all at once had made
clear to her-that this was the mar
she loved after all, and had loved al
along?
Z,
what had happened. In her haste sh,
had doubtless inclosed the notes in tn,
wrong envelopes, and he had received
the one meant for Will Haywood! Blu
!: he must know the truth! To the girP
delicate sense of honor no other cours,
was possible; even if 1t meant the los
of his love she would not keep it b,
acting a lie.
"Oh, you mustn't, you MUSTN'T I'v
made a dreadful mistaken she gaspet
almost incoherently, finding voice a
last, and striving frantically to Olsen
, gage herself.
/ Humphreys arms suddenly loosened
! and he held her away from him t
. look into her face.
"a mistake" he repeated, slowly
: incredulously. "Was that what yo
[ really said, Lettice? Do you near
then, that you do not love me afte
: allY
) The color flushed over the fair lttl
]. face from brow to chin, and she hun
t her head in silence. No, she could nc
say that!
Speak, Letticep' he said, his voic
e grave and almost stern. 81 insist o
e your telling me this. You knew whe
: you wrote it what your letter mus
r imply. Do you mean you were mis-
2 taken in thinking that you loved me ?
i mo, no, not thatT' she whispered
: as If the truth were being forced fro1
e her.
t Humphrey could feel how the Sigh
5 form trembled. He placed her gentl
I in a low chair, and drew another b.
( side her.
E Come, let me understand" he sal
! more kindly. You say you love me