The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-03-14
CHAPTER v.


ser asked Lord John. as breakfast drew
to an end.
She was not alone with the young
man; an elderly lady, a poor relative
of her mothers, was present Had
Sheila been left to her own ,ncI;nations,
this quiet, grim. and undoubtedly mid
dle-class Mrs. Watson would never have
been given place in her home; but
Constance Fraser had spoken so direct
and to the point on this subject that
her stepdaughter had given in, aud offered
IN as gracious manner as she could the
post of housekeeper to this impoverished
connection.
DO you seriously think OF going to-
day.' he laughed. turning to the girl,
who looked very fresh and pretty in her
picturesquely draped white serge gown.
why not?" demanded Sheila.
Remember the ball"
"Oh. the ball :" with an cry laugh.
MY dear Lord John, l could follow the
hounds for a week at a time, and then
dance through two balls"
"Sbeila has excellent health" Mrs
Watson remarked. monotonorsly.
Sheila rose abruptly. How slow their
| friendship advanced. He was perfectly
aware that it was his mothers most earn
est desire to see Sheila Fraser his wife.
but he was equally we'll aware that he
had no such desire himself. He was in
no hurry to be married, and he certainly
would never marry for money
All this, however, he kept 20 himself.
and although be was so intimate with the
heiress of Dinylewood. be had never by
4 H.
one else reason to suppose that he held
any deper feeling foc the girl than that
of ordinary friend.
Later Sheila had some dinner In her
room, having ascertained that Mrs. Fra
ser would be we'll enough to accompany
her to the ball; and when the time came
| she arrayed herself in her mannificent
diamonds. and even gave the charity
girl" smile. as Audrey, overcome with
! the brilliant spectacle, put her hands
together, and exclaimed aloud with de-
| lighted admiration
Let Maxse sit up for rue. Bircham,"
she ordered, and then she swept away
and Joined Mrs Fraser's tall. elegant
| figure in the hall below.
MY mistress ought not TO have gone
out tonight 1t is enough TO kill her :"
exclaimed Marshall in indignation. IF
| had my way. I'd have toid' Miss Fra
ser pretty plain what / think of her,
| dragging a poor, sick, suffering creature
out cold night like this, and al, for her
selfishness. It's heartless, that's what
| I call itw
Bircham made no reply, although she
overheard this speech; but Audrey felt
her heart beating with sympathy, too
How fragile and i'll Mrs. Fraser looked /,
Surely Miss Fraser could not bave known
how weak she was!
Now. keep up the fire. and you may
go to sleep, if you like" Bircham said.
''See that Miss Sheila's slippers are
warm, and everything out that she wants
They'll ring the bell when they come
but / don't expect they'll be home till
| quite morning"
Aubrey glanced at the clock and sighed
wearily; she sat down timidy on one of
the richly covered chairs, and dictated to
herself that she must not ard should not
| go 70 sleep. Needless to say. before half
an hour had gone, soothed by The warmth.
| the luxurious cushions at her back, and
| lulled by the silvery ticking of the clock,
| she was fast asleep, dreaming of Jean
| All al once she was awakened, a bell
| went pealing through the silent house.
| She started from her coy no,k and rub
BED her eyes. Nearly half paet twelve
| They were home early. She stood at at
| tenticn, and went TO open rhe door for
! Miss Fraser. There seemed TO be some
little confusion. and then Audrey heard a
| frank, determined voice.
II tell you I'm going to carry you up
stairs / will not leave you till / see
you safe in your ROOM"
There was some murmured pr test, and
then Audrey perceived Jack Glendur-
wood coming along as easily as posi-
bic, carrying Mrs. Fraser's slight form
in his arms. He saw he girl in an in
| slant.
(which is the room?" he asked, quick
10 read and appreciate the sympathy in
her great blue eyes.
She led the way and opened the door.
Marshall was DOING by IN Gre
What is it?" she cried, starting up
hurriedly; then, as she graspcd the sit
uatioD, "Ah, Miss Constance, l knew
now IL would be: you weren't fit for it,
my lamb! Bring her here, my lord. I'm
RICH, thankful to you for carrying her
up; she's as weak as an infant, that's
| wha. she Is"
Don't believe her, Jack" said Con-
stance Fraser in Der sweet, feeble voice.
She was lying back in a great wide
chair, looking inexpressibly beautiful,
though as white as a ghost, In her long.
black velvet dress, with the rich Valen-
Ciennes lace about the neck.
Jack Glendurvood folded his arms and
looked down at her gravely.
Promise to 60 to bed at once" be
said. II shall not leave Until hear
you are at rest"
AT restT A faint, bitter smile flick
cred across the pale lips, aad then Mrs.
Fraser stretched out her hand. Good
night my friend. Heaven bless you and
thank you for your loving csre of me.
IL am not worth it, Jack, dear; l am
not worth it."
For answer he bent down and kissed
the white hand, and then Mrs. Fraser
caught sight of Audrey standing behind.
1T was no dream! 1t was no myth
Come to me. child All, do not be fright
ened: will not harm you 1 will only
kiss you, and gaze into your face"
Jack Glendurwood had turned with a
| start, and made way for Audrey to pass
Elm. She move slowly across to that
black -robed form and knelt down. She
was not frightened, only awed and
strangely stirred.
Lift up your eyes. AIR as Audrey
obeyed her. "Jhild Child! Who are
you? What are you, with your face that
comes up from the past?" She bent for
| ward and Touched the girls brow with
her lips; she chung to the girls hands
and a moan escaped her. Suddenly she
released her hold, and her lead dropped
l on her breast
Take her away, my lord !" cried Mar
shall, bending over her mistress. she
has GOT something on her mfndt aAs -