Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1907-08-31
THE CHARITY GIRL |
BY EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

By EFFIE a. ROWLANDS

IT am sorry to say, dear aunt, that
my Income Is a thing Of The past. l
realized the capital when I was in Eng
land before. 1 had absolute need of the
money, and there was nothing else to do.
i thought I told you of this"
Mrs. Thorngate uttered quiet mo,
dear, you did not" and somehow the
lane grew misty before her. She recall
ed how hard her sister had struggled to
keep this small amount of money safe
for her boy. Beverley's Indifferent tone
Jared on her a little, but she was too
fond of him to let that last
You must have a chat with Gus when
he comes back, and until then, dear, look
upon me as your banker" she said, gent
~.
"Dear Aunt Agatha p Beverley muir
INJURED, pressing her hand. His gratitude
was entirely assumed, since he had set
tied this arrangement in his mind before
he left Port Elizabeth but Mrs. Thorn
gat, never doubted it for a moment.
You will be a rich man some day,
Beverley, you are so clever. Brains like
yours always succeed"
'They certainly have served me very
we'll so far" agreed Mr.. Rochfort. There
was a curious smile on his face as he
recalled how often his brains had carried
him through disagreeable aud awkward
crises. II must tell you Ill about my
plans tomorrow, Aunt Agatha. Are those
the Lights of Dinglewood? l had an idea
IL was much further away What a
fine property it is Miss Fraser is
lucky young woman. Is she appropriated
yet?''
There is no definite engagement: but
/ don't think | am far wrong if | saw
Sheila's fancy leans toward Lord John
Giendurwood l think you met him
whea you were here before
\ grim look settled on Beverley Roch-
forts handsome face; his lips compressed
theirs elves into tight, ugly line.
Yes, know Glendurwood,' was all
he ssid but keen listener might have
detected something hard and strange in
his voice. HE is a very decided prig,
Aun. Agatha"
Mrs. Thorngate made no reply to this,
Tor, truth to tell, she had a weak spot
in her heart for Lord John, and was one
Of his warmest admirers.
~ hate prigs l knew one out there"
with comprehensive nod backward at
some unnamed bourne-''to whom | took
a fancy" Beverley laughed softly HE
was the surliest chap ever came across,
out what a plucky one We knocked
against each other pretty often. felt
sorry for him, somehow: he seemed al
ways so glum. He gave me a packet to
bring home to some lawyers here, and
mace me swear I would honestly deliver
it He called himself John Marsh, but
! quite sure that was no.. his name.
He must have been a good-looking fellow
wnen he was younger, with eyes as blue
well as your large sapphire ring, Aunt
Agatha, and coal-black hair. A strange
combination! 1 never saw 1t BEFORE"
why, that's just what flat child is
like ~ cried the -rector's wife.
What child?"
Miss Fraser's maid, and n protege of
Gus! Such lovely little creature. l
wish you could see her, Beverley"
Il never waste my admiration on ser
wants." he said as they reached the low,
wide porch-like entrance of Dnglewood
House.
Miss Fraser was dispensing tea to her
grace the Duchess of Marlborough and
one OF two other people. She received
Mrs. Thorngate in the wfrm, pretty
fashion she always assumed before Jacks
mother.
''How good of you to come Dear
mamma will be SO pleased TO see you /!
Thanks, she is really better this afternoon
at least hope so. Oh she frightened
me terribly when she fell down in that
fairting fit! 1 did not wait her to go,
but she would do it. Mr.. Rochfort,
will you come and sit mere? Dear god
mamma, may introduce Mr. Beverley
Rochiort to you? He has just come back
from foreign parts, and Will entertain
you. / am sure"
The duchess moved her arrle skirts
80 that Beverley might sit down. Lord
John was speaking very plainly and earn
estly-
"sheila," he said, as he drew the girl
apart from the rest for a moment, ''how
comes that man here?"
What man? Oh, Mr. Rochfort?
Why he is dear Mrs. Thorngates nephew.
Stupid Jack, as If you did not know
that"
Il did not know it, or / should not
have asked the question. J. have never
seen him down here before and have
never heard Mrs. Thorngate speak of
him.
"Oh, he is her joy and her beloved.
cali him handsome, don't you? But. of
course no man ever aomfres another; l
forgot"
Whoever be may be, know him as
one Of the greatest blackgnards it has
ever been my lot to meet"
Good gracious, Jack how awful; and
Mr.. Thorngate clergyman, too ~
MT. Thorngate has nothing to do
with him. | doubt II he would ever let
him inside his house If he knew as much