Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-07-14


fore she had time to turn. A quick thrill
Of pleasure danced through her veins,
then she drew herself up into naughty
coldness-memory and pride had come to
her aid. Mr.. Hastings was certainly
neither bashful nor nervous, but ON find
ing himself thus alone with the girl whom
he had loved, he felt a very pardonable
awkwardness. He chose to face it brave
", though. He went quickly toward her,
uttering her name in low voice. She
drew back a step or two, and looked at
him with proud coldness. He stopped
deeply mortified.
81 will tell Lady Grace" Winifred SAID.
quietly, and would have left the room'
but Mr.. Hastings confronted her
"Do not go yet" he exclaimed, listen
to me for a moment first. Will you never
forgive, me?-will you not let me atone
to you"
81 will never forgive yon," she cried,
the passionate tears yelling into ner
eyes, and she swept past him and lett
the room.
Mr.. Hastings stamped with futile anger
on the ground.
"How could i be such fool?' he mutt
tered between his teeth. Il have lost all
hone of this girl, whom I would rather
have for my wife than the proudest prin-
cess in Europe"
His reflections were all cut short oy
the entrance of Lady Grace She was
yery glad to see him; asked him why
he had not been over before, and a thou
sand questions about his travels. Ihey
had been talking some twenty minutes
when the door opened, and to his sur
prise Miss Eyre entered. with an air OF
perfect unconcern. Lady Grace, evident
ly not knowing they had seen each other
that day, introduced them. They bowed
coldly.
seThough think you have met before?"
her ladyship remarked, interrogatlveiy.
"Mr. Hastings called once at the Farm
to see my father about something. we
did not meet as equals" and she gave
him defiant flash of her proud eyes.
Her ladyship pressed Mr.. Hastings to
dine and stay the night at Endon Vale,
but he pleaded an engagement at nome.
She insisted, however, on his taking lunch
before departing. and to that he consent
ed. During lunch his hostess discussed
her projects for the coming season.
81 am about to appear in new role.
she said, with kind glance at Winlfred;
''that of chaperon. l am going to bring
out my adopted daughter. and l trust
she will not disappoint my expectations.
''Miss Eyre will, 1 doubt not. more than
realize the fondest anticipations, said
Mr.. Hastings.
"Sir Clayton has taken a house in
Eaton Square for the season., she con-
tinued: ''we propose to commence occu-
pying it in a fortnight. / hope we shall
see YOU constantly, Mr.. Hastings"
ct shall be very glad" assented Enrol.
81 propose to be in town good deal,
and have taken set of rooms in -f'Ieea-
dilly."
Sir Clayton's voice made itself heard
at this juncture. almost for the first time.
''Are you going back to the Court this
afternoon. Hastings?
Enrol answered in the affirmative.
.'Then Miss Eyre and l will bear you
company part of the way. We have or
dered the horses for three o'clock
Winifred bit her lip with vexation; and
Mr.. Hastings saw it. and would have ex-
cused himself had it been possible.
The horses came round; he offered to
mount her.
NO. CQdQk you. Sue Sdiu, Noiuiss
like to be put up by some one whose skill
have tested" .
She seemed to delight in wounding him.
She kept persistently on the other side
of Sir Clayton, and scarcely spoke. Pres
emily they came to gate. from which
the two top railings had been broken.
"Come. Winifred," said Sir Clayton,
"there is capital piece Of practice for
you.' The groom had gone up to I'M
fasten it. Don't open it, Masonr' shout
ed the baronet. miss Eyre is going to
leap it,
And Winifred Immediately put her
horse at it, and was over in a moment.
Does she sit well?' Sir Clayton asked,
turning to his companion.
Harold Erskine taught her. to ride
Errol's reply was less enthusiastic than
it would have been if the last sentence
had been unspoken. But, nevertheless, |
he admired the graceful figure before
him very ardently and genuinely. When
they parted, Sir Clayton pressed him to
dine there the following week. Before
he answered, he looked at Winifred, |
whose gaze was fixed blankly in the dis
tance.
81 will make her love mer' he vowed, |
and he accepted the invita-
ton.
(To be continued.)