Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1906-03-16
CHAPTER XVI.

Of Layarick had not only terrified her
but recalled Jacks death, SO that sh,
was tortured by fear and sorrow at tn,
same time.
The lex night she was well enough
to appear again on the stage, ant
again Audrey Hope was In a box
After he opera was V there wa.
such a crush at the door that the
young singer would have been in
jured had not Audrey offered her ant
Mercy a seat in the carriage in which
she sat with Lady MARROW.
How fortunate we were near, sig
norma said the latter in her pleasant
way. 'tAre you sure you are moi
hurt:"
Not In the least" said Sylvia. "Bu,
but it is very kind ofsDTou to take
compassion on us, and I I'm afraid we
are crowding you
NO. no." said Audrey. The car
riage is a large one; there Is plenty OF
room" Then b%lushing as it had sud
denly occurred to her hat the grea
singer must think this carrying Of her
off bodily a strange proceeding. she
said: You are not offended? I mean
at my snatching you up like this, sig
norma"
NO" said Sylvia, softly, and with a
smile. ut is just what l should have
expected Miss Hope to do II she saw
a fellow creature in difficulties"
You know my name?" said Audrey,
quickly. ...
Eyes; I asked it the night before
last"
You noticed, you saw me?" said
Audrey. II thought the actors on the
stage could rarely recognize the peo-
pie in the front Of the theater.'
They cannot always" replied Syl.
Via; "butg x recognized you. And I
wanted to thank you for your beauti.
fuf flowers. They are fresh still, and
l. shall always keep them-alwaysw
The soft, clear voice, tender with
gratitude, thrilled through Audrey.
And I waa.edsto tell you how mucIi
your voice"-she might with equal
truth have said your face"-"affected
me-"
"Thank you,' murmured Sylvia,
gently, and her hand stole toward Aud.
rey's.
"Wlll you-will you think I am TAX
ing advantage IL I ask you to let me
cemc and see you, signorinay
"Will you?" said Sylvia, eagerly.
when will you come? Tomorrow"
YES" said Audrey. g" will come
at IL o'clock. You are sure
you don't mind? ! know that famous
persons have so many friends
Sylvia interrupted with a soft laugh.
"Then I am not famous!" she said.
Besides this one" and she touched
Mercy and smiled at her, "who Is a
very dear one, I have only n or two
in the world"
Audrey thought Of Lord Lorrimore.
and q pang shot through her heart;
she had almost forgotten him in the
excitement OF this strangely brought
about meeting with the girl he loved.
II will come tomorrow then" she
said.
Audrey appeared at IL o'clock the
next day. There was no one in the
room into which she was shown, but |
presently the door opened, and a slim, |
girlish figure dressed In a black merino
came forward with extended hand.
Audrey started. for in the plainly made
but exquisitely fitting black dress the
singer looked younger and
more girlish than In the fur-lined
,pera cloak which had enveloped her
n the preceding night.
The two girls were a little shy for
moment or two; then. as II she were
that there should be no
,arrier between them. Audrey began
o ask Sylvia about her profession.
You seem-you are so young, she
aid, with her Irresistible smile, 'tthat
t IL diflcult to realize that you are
,eally the lady who bewttches us all
completely"
Yes. isn't It a pity that I'm not
,lderT Said Sylvia, naiyely; .but I'm
better OF that fault every day.
II any one had told me two q ago
that I should become an opera singer
/ should have laughed at them, for i,
was then running about in Aus.
EraIia-"
she stopped, and the smile gave
place TO m expression Of pain. Aud
rey put her hand timidly on sylvia's
lrm.
"You have had trouble?" she muir
INJURED. with gentle sympathy.
~Yes; I was left quite alone and
but for two good people.
Ono y the lady you saw last night:
her name u Mercy F~eirfax. and che
has besn I sistcr-a mother-to me.
The other"-her face brightened-"Is
one Of the best ard most generous
mon IN the world. He 10 4 noble
m4n. But for him l should not Be
Hive nowy
n think I know his name," said:
Audrey, keeping her voice as steady
a&dshs could. aud asking herself, even
Il DAsaspoke.sw Why she did not hate this
I'll Who hSd won Lord Lorrimore's
Il F9rpn hen! 4
%XSsksMnsSyiviA. innocently, and
W1k6GEa 2oo1hsA&Kkieh surprised Aud
roy. He - -eysrythins that Is kind
and GOOD, really Z nobIeman."
~lsEls he here II London7 r asked
Audrey, locking down.
ssso. bus ~ u coming soon. I wish
~ were haee, ana I tried hard to per-
snade him 70 Gomez
~ 1l6te say.~ murmured Audrey;
menaGae9 lint smiies with sdimculty.
ssYa4r alAS6yIyia, quite calmly, and