Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER VIII.

The story that Audrey heard from her
mothers lips was short and pitiful one
"A story full of woman's misery, a
mans treachery, and a husbands broken
heart.
Years before. when Constance Gas
cogne was girl of nineteen, and had
Just made her debut in the world. she
went to stay with a half,sister of her
lage. The aunt with whom Constance
stayed-Lady Anstruther-hid two sons,
one following no occupation. the other
young officer in a crack d"agoon regi-
ment. and with this cousin the beautiful
young girl fell most violently in love.
He on his side returned the love with
more than usual fervor. Constance was,
in his eyes, the most beautiful the sweet
est, the dearest woman in all the world.
For a month the lovers lived in a para
disc; when suddenly an abrupt ending
came to the all too brief halcyon time
Franks regiment was ordered to Bur
NAH they were to leave in fortnight
What was to be done? Lady Ans
truther, already an invalid was dis
traught at the thought of losing her
youngest and best-beloved son. Her
hearts best love was given to Frank,
although by no outward sign did she ever
allow the world to guess that he was
dcarer to her than her eldest, Roderck.
She was in no condition to be worried,
and that there would be no end of worry
connected with their engagement the
lovers knew full well. Sir Edwin Gas
coigne would never consent to his daugh-
ter's marriage with a man who had moth
ing to depend upon except his pay, and
who was, moreover. the son of a lHt,n
whom Sir Edward had always hated. 1t
was not a moment for delay, and Frank,
full of eager desire to bind his darling to
him, determined to make her his wife
before the day of his departure came.
When once We are married, my dear
est he had urged. mot all the obJec-
tions in the world can part us for long.
You do not mind roughing it with me,
l know, and if Sir Edwin is very, very
angry. you can stay with mother till
have made all my arrangements for you
to follow me out to Burmah."
His entreaties, his passionate plead
ings won the day, and Constance con-
sented to become his wife. They would
have taken Roderick into their confidence
had he given them the opportunity; but
Franks brother had gone away almost
Immediately on Constance's arrival
had, indeed, Stunned meeting the girl
in such a marked manner that Con-
stance had felt vaguely hura
II am afraid Roderick does not like
4.
laughed the idea to scorn.
Frederick is a queer, odd sort Of
chap" he had answered but III stake
my existence that his feelings for you
are not anything approaching dislike"
You are so much alike in face, and
yet you are so different in nature" Con-
stance often said, gazing with admiring
eyes at her lover.
The two men were, indeed, strangely
alike Both had coal-black hair, and
clear skins, and eyes of the deepest, rar-
est blue. There was barely year be
tween them, and in height, figure and
general bearing they were the fac-simile
of each other.
They were married quietly one morn
ing, the only witness to the ceremony
being Marshall and the village clerk, and
then, after a week of mingled ecstasy
and unutterable pain at the thought of
their forthcoming separation, the young
couple parted, Constance to return home
t. her fathers house, her wedding ring
suspended round her neck till the moment
was opportune for speaking out her story,
and Frank to make his final arrange
merts.
They had one farewell meeting, in
which Frank sought to cheer and console
his young wife by every means in his
power. He told her he had written full
particulars of their marriage TO Roder-
lex. and begged her to confde in his
brother, who mad promised to do all in
his power to assist them.
Bear up, my darling" he had entreat- |
ed; "in six months from to-day, please
heaven, you will be with me. and never
leave my side again as long as life lasts.
If your father is obgdurate-wel we
must do without his forgiveness. Kiss
me once more. my wife. my hearts be-
loved, and remember. dearest, whatever
comes, trust in Roderck."
(To be continued.)