The Echo register. (Echo, Umatilla County, Or.) 190?-1909, 1909-07-23
A SAD OCTOBER HOUR

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the autumnal foliage.
The woman's face was full of happy
expectation. Il was no longer very
young or fresh, but 1t was still of
charm and tenderness. Under her hat
the glossy waves of her hair were
scarcely touched with n gray thread.
Mrs. Chesney was conscious that in
taste aud education she belonged 10 a
different epoch from that Of the lively
guests round her. They were absolute
ly modern, aud she had very little In
common with them. Since her hus-
bands death she had lived quietly
and almost alone In Il country house,
gardening, studying, working for the
poor. When at last she had made up
her mind TO accept the invitation of n
cousin Of her husbands the effort had
been painful and depressing. She had
grown shler and more silent I'm those
years Of quietude. Even in her new
fashioned clothes she somehow looked
of different world from that of Miss
Vincent and Lady Norledge. who were
the beauties of the party.
My dear, she is essentially early
Victorlan!" was the verdict of the live
ly Lady Norledge as she discussed
Mrs Chesney with a friend. But now
on this October afternoon. standing
alone In the feeting sunshine and
among the falling leaves, Mrs. Ches
ney felt young. triumphant and abso-
lutely indifferent to the opinions of
every living soul excepting those Of the
/ person whose advent she was await
/ ing.
She had felt MS II she were I'm a
dream when her host few days ago
had announced the approaching ar
rival of new and distinguished guest.
The name OF General Trebovir was i'm
everybody's mouth.
Some ten years ago Hilary had part
ed from this man with an anguish that
was no less unbearab BILE because she
had known that his love for her was
as strong as her own and perhaps even
the motive for much that was noblest
and best In his life. During those
years. which had seemed an eternity.
these two had held no communication
with one another
This had been her wish alone, for he
had strongly maintained that, unhap.
PLY married as she was. n friendship
SO pure and devoted as his for her
must at least make 1t easier for her
| TO exist under what was too heavy a
load for n solitary woman. But she
had remained firm. aud he had gone
day she felt sure he was coming here
for her. and her alone. and she was
/ joyfully waiting.
Then. though she could not help no
ticing how gorgeous the chrysanthe'
NUNS seemed as the sunlight fell In
long streak across their faces. she
knew that he was coming down the
steps at the corner and straight to-
ward her. Her knees were shaking
and there was curious singing In heI
ears, through which she heard his
pleasant voice speaking. Half me
chanically she put out both her hands.
"My dear Mrs. Chesney. this Is In
deed pleasure! had not the remot
est idea when Franklin told me that
I should find n charming party that
{ his words were to be so truly fulfilled
/ Hilary had let one hand drop and
looked ut him, still half smiling. His
words and his manner had hurt her
but she was emphatIcally brave, and
her tremulous expression had sudden
ly given way to one that was cain
and friendly.
81. too. was delighted" she said
'whcn they told me you were com
ing" Then. with sudden impulse
she added, But my stay here is very
short. for ! am afraid | must go to
morrow or the next day"
"Oh. what pity! Can't you put Of
duty engagements-for am sure that
Is what they are-and stay on just a
lltrie longerT
He spoke kindly and as II he wished
her TO remain. but without a trace Of
emotion.
The general took out his watch.
ut was very good Of you to want me
to come and see you out here. but
must. | fear. go In and write some
thing rather important for the post.
wish could have stayed on longer
now and chatted about old times"
"Yes: ] wish you could"
T A streak OF light fell on his face
Yes. he was not much altered, and his
gray hair became him.
"Well. we will go on with our talk
later" said he.
lie raised his hat and turned away
10 mount the steps.
/ On the topmost terrace another fig.
ure now caught her eye. II was that
OF young woman. very graceful and
alert and dressed In an exquisite gown
os crimson and fur. This person paus
cd and held hand up to her eyes
Then Hilary saw her start of. walking
very quickly down the gravel path
that led toward the first flight oi
steps. The sight OF her Jared upon
Mrs. ChesDey. She represented the In
carnation Of all the qualities that Hi
airy most desplsed. She was emDty