The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-05-04
I THE CHARITY GIRL 1
By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS
CHAPTER VII.
By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

Il Sheila Fraser was a lille perturbed
du,i ing the week that followed as to the
very apparent change that had come over
Jack Glendurwood. He came to Dingle-
wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave her to understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not TO herself.
Sac racked her brain to find the real
reason. Was it jealousy of Beverley
Rochfort, with whom she Gel tainly had
firted, though very mildly, since he had
core on the scene: or was it caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of Iverne's
col dition grew worse, and he, John Glen
durwood, would be to a certainty in the
deal mans place and heir to the dukedom
before many months had elapsed?
The thought of this approaching event,
1t need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eaScrness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged fsncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never guess the real
reason of this change, never dream that
1t was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-
ferehce to Audrey that had opened Jacks
eyes tc her true character, and planted
the first seeds of contempt III his breast
| toward her.
| He had got the whole story from Mar
shall, who cleaned it from Audrey, and
certainly Miss Fraser's conduct did not
sound we'll when her furious temper and
heI virulent abuse of a poor nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed in
calm, collected manner.
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
| new maid until Marshall, seeing her so
mucG better, ventured to tell her. and was
more than repaid for her kind action at
the pleasure her mistress expressed in
having the girl about n-r.
AS for Audrey herself, she seemed to
be In one long, pleasant dream. Mrs.
Fraser's sweet, low voice and delicate
beauty, her gently uttered thanks and
consideration for the comfort of those
about her was a new and a delightful SEN
satinn Marshall's patience and ready
will, more than pleasant and Der life so
peaceful and happy that she c.uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived 1t and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
aboGt Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem to
recc gnize that vague, curious likeness
that had so startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was not
dull; she had plenty of visitors. Miss
Frsser came first thing IN the morning
and chatted in a desultory fashion with
her stepmother, and after her came Mrs.
lThorngate, who was welcomed eagerly by
the invalid.
Audrey was never in the room when
the rector's wife called, out she always
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spoke
to her when Mrs. Thorngate had gone
away again, and what a flushed, eager
look there was on the Wal face. At
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Miss
Frazer, but beyond frown ard a sharp
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing
she knew better than to object to any
arrangement her stepmother might make.
One afternoon, toward the end of the
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for
walk.
you have sat long enough over that
sewing; brisk walk will DO you good ;
besides, l expect my lawyer down from
London on-on important business"
Are you happy with ME, my child2"
she asked In low tones, rob sounding
as If it were behind her voice.
oh! 500 happy!" Audrey cried
smelling beside her. II wrote and told
Jean how good you were TO me, and
heard from her this morning. She says
you must be an angel, und so l think
you are"
kiss me-" murmured Constance Fras-
Ter, gazing up into the lovely sirlish face
almost hungrily, certainly passionately.
Audrey laid her cool !irs on those of
the older woman.
II love you," she whispered, involun-
tarily.
"My dear! My dear!"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for NOM
ent then with another kiss and q ten
der smile waved her on.
1T must be true, I feel 1t here" she
said to herself, as she was alone, and
she pressed her hand to her heart. "Oh,
heaven! II this comes to me, how shall
I thank Thee for Thy goodness?
Audrey soon equipped herself. She no
longer wore the hideous black bonnet.
but smaller one, with a bright crimson
ribbon as a relief to her dart locks. Mrs.
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vii
lage, and had bought the girl many gar
ments, which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure in Audrey's breast. She
could not bring herself to realize that
they were all for her.
1t was bitterly cold day. but Audrey
did not seem to feel it; she planted her
hands In her warm muff, and danced
along. singing gayly to herself from very
exuberance Of spirit. The world was
beautiful, after all-so her simple, child
lsh heart determined. She was quite
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and dear
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and King
Arthur! She did not know which she
liked best. She walked down one of the
secluded paths, and shrank, so she
thought, out of sight as she saw a party
Of people coming up from the lake, where
skating was In high swing. Sheila, in
magnificent sealskin, with a cap to
match, on her rudy hair, was walking
beside Beverley Rochfort. She looked
bored, as indeed she was, and cross, too,
into the bargain, for there was Jack
still chatting to plain Louisa Everest,
and he had not been near her all the
afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight Of Audrey's
lovely face in among the bushes and