Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-12-20
bending over the PROSTATE figure, she
saw that the girl had tainted.
II.

cab, driving out Of the high, iron gates
OF the asylum, she felt she must be in
some extraordinary dream. She had new
er driven in any sort of .'ehicle before.
and the curious sensation of being car
ried over the road at a quick pace added
TO the vagueness that seemed TO envelop
her; but the keen east wind as it rush
ed in at the window awoke he-, and with
a sigh, she knew it was no dream, but a
reality full of excitement, confusion and
unspeakable pain. The tears she had re-
pressed rolled down her checks as she
thought of Jean left alone N that mis-
cradle life. Then her youag spirit rose
above her grief. She was free, and be-
fore very long Jean should re free, too,
and they would go away together, as they
had dreamed and whispered so often in
the night hours. Mr.. Thorpgate was
waiting at the station and spoke kindly
to the girl.
There is your ticket. Maxse," he said.
land when you reach Mountrerry you
must get out and wait on the platform
till a lady speaks to you. She is my
wife, and will look after you. 1 should
have taken you dow myself, but l cannot
leave Broadborough for another week.
Now, you must be a good, diligent worker.
and never forget your duty % your en-
ployers and to heaven"
Audrey thanked the k~ini-hearted cler-
gyman and accepted his advice gracefully.
The train carriage was quite empty, and
they were proceeding at a quick, even
pace that had the effect Of soothing the
girl. The rumble of the wheels buzzed
a sort of lullaby in her ears. She was
very weary and was soon lost to every
thing in a deep, dreamless s!umber.
She was awakened by a sudden open
ing of the door, by several voices shout
ing, and by some person jumping into
the carriage and sinking on to the seat,
breathless, evidently with having run
very fast. 1t was a young man. Audrey
gazed at him in startled amazement
through her veil. He was splashed with
mud from head to foot, bat bis clothes
were perfect in make and fit. He wore
rough riding brooches and boots, and had
a hunting crop in his right hand. He
laughed and brushed some OF The mud off
his sleeve with his crop. lie pulled out
his watch and consulted it.
Just twelve" Audrey heard him nut.
ter, and she was bewildered to think
she NUT have slept for something like
two hours. She drew back 4 little ner-
vously into her corner, for the young
man had folded his arms and was gazing
~intently at her slender, blaca-robed figure
out of a pair of very handsome gray eyes.
AS a matter of fact, Lord John Glen
durwood was not even aware of what
ing a rapid mental calculation.
Ten minutes to the stables, and then
a good hours lard ride back, and then
it will be just a toss-up or no whether
they will not be miles away before l even
am halfway there. Well, it's worth hav-
ing a shot at anyhow. I must get a
brush-down somewhere. Sheila will have
a fit if / turn up like this. don't know
how I came such a cropper; making such
a jolly fool of myself, too, before every
body. 1 hope poor Hector isn't badly
famed, poor old chap! Can't take him
out again this week, that's very certain.
Here we are at Glaston, another five
minutes. and then Beignton, and then
the stables just as fast as l know how
to run"
II am III Np q " iiIiN SldlAOhs
and the guard came running down to the
carriage. He touched his cap with great
respect.
"'Ope you didn't 'urt yerself. my lord !;
but you know it is dangerous a jumping
in like that, when she's Oh the move.
Won't you change carriages. my lord?
This amt fit for the likes CT your lord
ship What did you say, ma'am?"
"Am-am 1 near Mount5erry Station.
please?" faltered Audrey, breaking in on
the brief conversation
"Mountberry? Why, we've passed it
a quarter Of an hour ago. Right, Bill
giving a shrill whistle. Right she
is. Now, then, there! J"
The train moved on. Audrey looked
about her uncertainty; she was fright
ened and bewildered. What should she
do? Lord John, usually called Jack,
glanced at the figure before him with
some interest.
Looks like a widow. Can't be, though,
she's so small and young. Poor creature;
very Door, at any rate. She's evil
IDENTIFY upset at passing her station."
He leaned forward and addressed Au-
drey in his kind-hearted way.
You can get another train back imme-
diately from Beignton. You will reach
Mountberry in a very short time. l am
out at Beignton myself, and 1 will
put you in the care of old Staple, the
station master, unless you know your
way about"
No, oh, no :" she broke IN nervously.
"This-I am a stranger. l nave never
been on a train before. I--oh. and l
shall nave kept Mrs. Thorngate waiting.
Oh. lear"
Never been in a train before ~ repeat
ed Jack Glendurwood in amazement. He
knit mis- brows and pulled his handsome
mustache. What manner
of creature was this, with her sweet,
voice, her curiousIy Black draped
figure in cumbersome cloak and thick
veil her shyness and her ignorance? He
laughed a little easily. st must seem
to you. But did I understand
you TO say you were going 20 meet Mrs.
Yes; at-a: Mountberry. Mr.. Thorn
gate told me she would be waiting for
me, and now"
His voice was so kind thai Audrey felt
irresistibly drawn toward him.
well, she will not have TO wait long"
Lord John answered, cheerfuIly, and
then he all but whistled aloud, for Au-
drey, with a quick gesture, had flung
back her veil. and he behold her face
in all its Seauty. Tears were still hang
ing on her lashes, but her eyes shone
them like sapphires: her raven
black hair, brushed vigorously back from
her brow. enhanced the dictate pallor
Of her skin. Jack Glendurwood thought
he had never seen anything so perfectly
lovely in his life as the straight, small
nose, the red lips, the pale, ivory COM
and those wondrous deep-blue
eyes. He forgot all about his haste, his
muddy appearance, or his lame hunter
be even forgot his manners-in his ad-
niration and surprise, till a deep blush.
spreading over her throat, cheeks and
brow, recalled him.
Are you going to stay with Mrs.
may l ask?' he inquired al
most !nvoluntarily.
Audrey felt strangely shy and child
iSh- Ea saemad to ber lilo KING Ar |