The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-04-14

childw
is 1t possibleY exclaimed the doctor,
in wild dismay; She's got to know about
IT,"
"0f course she has! Now that you are
here, why don't you tell her yourselfT
While they stood conyersing they had
failed to notice that Claire had been grad
ually approaching the house, with her
hands filled with dewy, fragrant roses;
In fact, they were not aware Of her pres
ence until she was close upon them, and
her CHEEKY greeting disturbed the awk-
ward silence that had fallen.
Were you speaking Of meT she ask
ed, earnestly.
YES" answered Gresham; I'VE were
speaking of you and your approaching
marriage"
With desperate effort that was really
pitlful to behold, the father begani
"Claire, I have something to say to
you before your marriage. Listen, my
child; 1t is matter Of serious import
ito you"
"Is 1t something about LucianT she
asked.
"Yes."
than the present" As he spoke he took
she exclaimed, Frightening; anything
you have to say of him | shall be only
too happy to hear. | can never tell you
how content am at the prospect Of be-
coming his wlfew
With one despairlng glance at Greah-
am, Philip Burgess turned away, men
tally calculating,
Il can't can't tell her, for 1t may kill
her!"
Fortunately, at this moment Martha
came out upon the piazza, and announc-
ed that her mistress was ready to see
the doctor, II he would kindly come In
Il will so with you," whispered the
old man in Gresham's ear; "her mother
can tell her better; women can weep to-
gether."
And they entered the house, leaving
Claire standing there, with an express
sion of'dazed bewilderment upon her fair
face. One by one the fragrant roses III
tered through her fingers, and fell un-
Needed and willing to the ground; and
impression, II seemed as though a tiny
cloud, no bigger than a mans hand, had
risen upon the horizon of that perfect
day.
At last the roll of carriage wheels upon
the 6Venue beyond the lawn arrested her
attention, and, raising her eyes, she de-
scried the Courtlandt livery rapidly ap-
preaching the house through the trees.
Her heart atood still with a dizzy
throb, but when the equlpage drew up
and the widow Courtlandt alighted alone
II was with heart heavy with disap-
pointwent that she crossed the piazza to
greet the lady.
Mrs. Courtlandt took the girl In her
arms. and disposed a light kiss upon her
brow; then linking her arm In Claire's,
she led her to retired nook, where stood
rustic seat screened by dense vlneA
that lent an agreeable twilight against
the brilliant glare that reigned around.
Being seated, the lady took Clalre's hand
In hers and said;
''rhis Is Just the opportunity l have
been seeking; have wanted to talk with
you, my dear. Lucian will be here In
an hour, and this Is the last time that
we shall be together before your mar.
riage First Of all, wish to thank you
for the sacrifice you have made, and
the noble sentiments which have prompt.
ed It."
Sacrifice! Noble sentlmentsP MUIR
INJURED Claire, In astonishment; "indeed,
madam, deserve no praise. My action
In the matter has been prompted by pure
ly selfish motives"
"Oh, know that devotion has become
second nature with you," replied the
lady, patting Clalre's cheek; "but your
selfdenial cannot escape our gratitude.
But you shall be rewarded, my child we
will WOO Sou back to health, and, ere
long, you will be reconclled to Lucian.
Yes, yes, hope that some day my son
viii love you"
Love me, love me, do you sayf" fall
tered poor Claire, like one in a dream;
"he Is going to marry me-"
what credit Is there In his giving
his handT were the next paarlyzing
words; "are you not thousand times
more generous In giving his child a
namer
"His child" muttered the girl, In
stBpefed way; then suddenly selzing the
Widows hand, she exclaimed violently,
"hls childv
'Llsten, Claire; If 1t Is your will, we
will unite our forces, set up our batteries
against our common enemy, against this
woman whom | hate, as you ought to
hatew
At this revelation Claire fell back
against the seat, while through her dazed
brain darted with lightning like rapidity
the thought;
"oh, heaven grant me the strength
to hear her to the endp
Then as Mrs Courtlandt, amazed at
her sudden silence, turned and looked at
lrer, she started up, exclaiming hysterl-
cally;
o"Ah, yes! The woman he loves-the
mother of his child But do not under
staua why she does not oppose my mar
riage2'
II will tell you, Claire. Lucian wor-
ships me and is passionately attached to
his child; | promise you that he Is en-
tirely reconciled to his marriage with
you, and regards II seriously, as he does
all other obligations in life."
"Yes," came the bitter response, so
low as scarcely to be audible, ''he has
noble hearth
"He will be here In a few minutes, and
l will tell him where to find you," said
the lady, rising with the relieved air
Of one who has executed a painful duty.
80 kiss me, my dear, and | viii go IN
and say good morning to your mother
Claire submitted to the caress, and
when left alone sat for some minutes
among the swaying vines. At last the
burning words rose to her lips;
Heaven help me, how l loved him!
Fool that I was to dream that should
be loved In returnl Why, they have been
speculating upon my approaching death;
and If he leads me to the altar to-mor-
row, he counts upon my lying dead be-
fore II ere long. This luxury-this gold |
ARE but the price Of my dlshonorl |
want no more Of them, and only ask to |
return to the misery Of povertyw
Her last words escaped her lips In a
Ugh Of unuttsrabls anguish, while 30 her
iIfiAedinR ears came the beat of the /