Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-07-28

You told me once l should be miserable
if / married him-are you glad your
words have come truey'
Mrs. Clayton. what do you take me
for?' he cried, moved to passion. Il
glad-glad that you, whom | love with
heart, soul and strength. are tied to
brute who makes your life a pandemo-
MUM upon earth-glad that you are part
ed hopelessly from me, and that | cannot
lawfully stir finger to help you when 1
am ready to lay down my life for you
Forgive mev' Fee said. quickly; II did
not mean it. l feel so bitter-so mad
sometimes scarcely know what | say"
Mrs. Clayton he answered hoarsely,
''you must not say these things to me.
My blood is on fire at your wrongs and
your misery. You forget how badly, how
hopelessly love your
Il weighed your love in the balance
with Mr.. Clayton's money once" she
said slowly, "and my choice has broken
my heart. 1 am twenty. have no hope
in the world" and an agonized sigh broke
from her. II know that after tonight l
dare not see you any more. If had been
good or wise enough to remember my
duty, and keep from speaking of my mis-
cry to you. we might have gone on meet
ing as we have done. Tonight we shall
part forever"
do not say that, Mrs. Clayton. How
can | leave you to that mans brutality?'
How can you protect me from it?'
she asked sadly.
He rose to his feet suddenly and stood
before her as pale as death.
''Will you never be convinced" he
said, passionately. +that my love for you
is beyond self-seeking, beyond doubt?
If you will it SO, l will never seek you
again after tonight"
81 think / am not well tonight am
over-tired," she said, recovering herself;
''if yeu will have my carriage sent for,
will go home"
He went at once and did not return to
her until it was ready; then he gave her
his arm and led her away without an
other word. She never looked at him
as he put her into her carriage, and wish
ed her a grave goodnight; but when the
door was closed, and they had passed
through the gates, she threw herself back
in corner and sobbed such tears as she
had never wept from the hour she was
born until now. There were lights in
the dining room when she returned, and
she would have entered it, but the foot
man stood in the way with a frightened
face.
mot in there, if you please, mas am;
master dined at home, and has party of
gentlemen"
At that moment there was clinking of
glasses, and sound of laughter. ia
which shrill peal of woman's voice
was distinctly audible.
Mrs. Clayton stood for moment as if
turned to stone; then she went upstairs
without word. 1t was evident she had
not been expected home SO early.
She was too stupefed to think. 1t SEEM
ed as if some heavy blow had fallen on
her, and she scarcely realized it or knew
what It was. Her mind was exhausted,
and she slept heavily. The next day when
she rode in the park, as usual, every one
said:
''How terribly ill Mrs. Clayton looks.
She should not go out SO much. or she
will be dead before the end of the sea-
SON."
Dear Fee" said Winifred, riding up,
"what ails you-you look worn out?"
Il think yesterday was too much for
me-" Mrs. Clayton answered. 'Stop my
horse, Winifred!' and Mrs. Clayton
seemed for moment to reel in her sad
die. w lnlfred caught the Drl0ie, ana
stopped her own horse.
"Oh, Lord Harold!' she cried suddenly
to the gentleman who rode beside her.
'-go to the other side of Fee. and hold
her up; she is fainting."
In a moment he had his arm round her,
and had lifted her into the saddle. from
which she had partly slipped. Mrs. Clay
ton recovered herself almost Immediately.
"Thank you," she said, with a ghastly
attempt at smile: "a sudden giddmess.
Take me home. Winifred, will you?''
Eyes, darling"
Mrs. Clayton remained the whole day
on the sofa, scarcely speaking Winifred
would not leave her for a moment. She
bathed her forehead. and watched and
soothed her when she turned on her side
and moaned.
at is my head, my head" she muir
INJURED now and again. Il think l am go-
ing mad.'
And then Winifred thought it time to
send for a physician.
at is a neyvous attack" he said. when
he had seen her: ''the brain seems to have
been overexcited. In a day or tive Mrs.
Clayton will he quite herself again.
(To be continuedD