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

one else. Francis" she continued, touch
ing her Observation-Disclosures, Mr.. Hastings
is here"
Mr.. Clayton looked savagely at her.
and then he gave a surly recognition to
Mr.. Hastings.
II hardly expected to see you here this
evening"" he said.
You know, Francis, l told you l asked
Mr.. Hastings to come" said Fee, ma
liciously. "Your memory is not usually
so defective"
Madame was not in the best of tempers
constant contact with a man like her
husband had not tended to increase the
amiab bility Of her disposition.
Mr.. Clayton turned away to the stage,
and left his wife to an uninterrupted con-
versation with her friend. But all the
same he was trying to hear every word
that passed between them; he was far too
small-minded to be free from jealousy and
suspicion. Fee was perfectly aware that
he was listening. so she dropped her
voice to a whisper, and f1irted away in
a very animated manner with Mr.. Hast
ings. Francis Clayton was gradually be-
coming furious. At the end Of the third
act he arose.
1T is time to put on your cloak" he
said in a harsh and unpleasant voice.
''Why, dear?" asked Fee. looking up
with languid innocence, 'are you afraid
shall take cold?, You are not usually
so solicitous about me-"
81 ordered the carriage early, and do
not choose my horses to be kept wait
ing," he replied, scarcely deigning to look
at her.
Mr.. Clayton moved toward the door,
and his wife resumed her conversation
with more animation than ever.
Are you coming?' he exclaimed, turn
ing impatiently.
"Me-coming? returned Fee, nonchal-
antly, raising her eyebrows. my dear
Francis, what could put such an absurd
idea into your head?"
To be treated with Indifference, and,
worse, ridicule, is naturally disagreeable
to any man; but it made Mr.. Clayton,
sulky and ill-tempered as he already was,
perfectly afame with rage.
Marion, are you coming?"
Certainly not"
''Then l shall go alone. Henry can
get you a iacre when you feel disposed
to follow me-" And the amiable husband
left the box.
Mrs. Clayton was as bitter and angry
as high-spirited woman would be under
the circumstances; but she went on talk
ing to her companion very fast, to conceal
her annoyance. She was too proud tG
make any allusion to her husbands treat.
ment of her; and Mr.. Hastings appeared
not to have noticed it. But he felt for
her keenly. He did not quite justify her,
or think she had behaved wisely, but he
saw what the man was, and felt there
must have been some strong undercurrent
of bitterness to change the bright, good
tempered, sunny, little fairy he had
known formerly to the Indifferent, pro-
voking woman of tonight. "Poor little
girlr' he thought to himself. 81 dare
say she has found out by this time that
money doesn't bring happiness"
Mrs. Clayton remained until the fifth
act was half over, then she asked Enrol
to see if her servant was in the hall. He
left the box, and returned almost immedi-
ately.
my brougham is at your disposal, Mrs.
Clayton, and your servant is just calling
it up" .l-.-.-
She thanked him; and he put her cloak
carefully round her, and gave her his
arm.
seated in the carriage. "Many thanks
for your timely aid. Will you come and
see us tomorrow at our hotel?'
He promised; and at parting he held
her hand longer than is strictly necessary
in wishing good-by.
The day after their meeting at the
opera Mr.. Hastings called on Mrs. Clay
ton; and Mr.. Clayton, suspecting the
visit, was purposely at home. Fee bright
ened up when Mr.. Hastings was announc-
ed. She had always liked him; now in
her loneliness and misery she ranked him
as a dear old friend. Her manner was
all the more cordial because she wanted
to annoy her husband.
sMr. Hastings. 1 am delighted to see
you; was just feeling so frightfully bor-
ed and dull. 1 hope you bring whole
budget of news"
sI must ask first after my old friend,
Lady Marion," he answered. L cannot
forgive myself for my remssness in not
doing so last night
"Aunt is very we'll, thank you. | heard
from her this morning. She says she is
dreadfully dull without me, and is longing
to see us back again"
81 often think how she must miss you.
I almost wonder she does not remain
with you"
$50 she would, gladly, but Mr.. Clayton
won't let her. OF course, if we have
difference of opinion she takes my part.
and he says something rude to her, and
she is offended. Is it not so, Francis?'
Mn Clayton muttered something about
a mother-in-law being bad enough, but
an aunt-in-law was more than anybody
bargained for.
'And as matrimony is altogether COM
mercial speculation" rejoined Fee, with a
delightful smile, ''you can't, of course,
take more than you bargain for-can you,
Mr.. .Hastings?"
Enrol was by no means pleased at be-
ing made a third party to matrimonial
and made an effort to change
the conversation.
Have you seen anything of Lady
Grace Farquhar lately, Mrs. ClaytonY'
he asked.
"She was here not month ago; and
she has adopted such a sweet, charming
girl. They are like mother and daugh-
ter; and even that selfish old bookworm,
Sir Clayton, seems quite taken with her.
I wish you had been here sooner.