Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-06-20
THE CHARITY GIRL
BY EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

By EFFIE a. ROWLANDS

AOk bOuc Que sue kucW " Uc ucdI hChs
Otherwise Mrs. Thorngate would have
been here with the money you require /;
that you know better than can tell
you"
But as II IL, she sends her ladyship,
the beautiful Marchioness Of Iverne, to
make her excuses" broke in Beverley,
bitterly. Your ladyship is too kind.
My aunt will be happier woman when
she reads Of my death in the papers.
for l warn you sooner than suffer the
degradation and horror Of prison life
will kill myself! And this is Christian
charity!"
you are most unjust to Mrs. Thorn
gate" Audrey answered, as calmly as
she could. III you had seen her as
have seen her this afternoon you would
not dare to speak like this"
you are a generous friend, Lady
1verne but, you see, the thought of my
aunt's great mental distress does not al
together help me just now"
Audrey drew out the envelope from
her muff.
But these bank notes may" she said
with contempt in her voice Jack had
never heard before. Beverley grasped
the envelope. In an instant he had torn
it open and held them close to his eyes
to scan them in the dim light.
Zone, two, three, four, fve-yes, FIVE
hundred. l am saved!" His hands clos
ed over the notes. Saved Yes, and by
you-you, the woman l love with all my
soul; you"
Jack half started forward, but he was
not quicker than Audrey in her move
ment OF horror. With gesture of con-
tempt and pride she struck aside his
outstretched hand.
do you think l bring you this money
to save you" she asked in hurried tones !;
you, the worst, the greatest enemy
have in the world No, no !; have done
what l have done for love and pity for
one whose heart is breaking through you,
whose whole life has been one sacrifice
for you, who"
Beverley interrupted her with his soft,
low laugh. Her contempt lashed him
into state of fury.
"And does Lady Iverne think that the
world will look upon her actions in the
same light as she does? What will be
said when it is known that you, young,
lovely woman, came here alone at night
fall to provide me with money to escape
a prison cell, eh?'
II do not fear the world, Mr.. Roch-
fort. l have done what have done for
the motives l have given. Let what will
be said, be said my conscience is clear.
have no more to say" she said, haught-
lily; but Beverley moved forward and
stood in her path.
'And do you think I am going to part
with you like this after all these weary,
horrible months? Say what you like to
the world, Audrey, act what part you
will, but l know the truth. You have
come here tonight to save me, not be-
cause of my Aunt Agatha, but because
you love me, and"
Jacks heart was beating so furiously
it almost choked him; but he did not in.
terfere yet. He felt that Audrey would
defend herself He waited breathlessly
for her answer. 1t came swiftly.
And you call yourself man? You,
who insult a defenseless woman, who
work against a woman in a mean, under
hand way that would shame the lowest
of earthly creatures! Love you! You.
Why, if there were not another living
soul in the world, If my very life depend
ed on it, would still give the same reply.
Love you! l hate, despise, condemn
you l have no wish to see you or hear
you speak again. When I remember all
you have done to my happiness, IL
could almost curse you! Love you
how bitter and strong the girls voice
was-"when my very soul is full of love
for one whose shoes you are not worthy
to touch, one who Is a man of honor, up
right and pure as the sun. There Is no
place for any one but my husband in
my heart-the husband whom you have
worked to rob me of-you and Sheila
Fraser! Don't speak to me again Don't
touch me! l am not the simple, foolish
girl l was; l am woman with a wom-
ans heart, a woman's pride, a woman's
love: and my misery, which you have
caused, is sometimes greater than I can
bear. Let me pass, Beverley Rochfort
Go into the world and say what evil you
like Of me; | am content il l am only
free from you. and l pray heaven l may
never meet you again J"
Beverley broke in swiftly. His voice
was soft but dangerous.
Your words sting, but they do not
spoil your lips those lovely lips, which
are mine by right Let you pass! No,
Audrey, / will do nothing of the sort
We are here alone, and we do not part
until l have clasped your proud heart to
mine, and taken from your lips the kisses
I claim. Poor, foolish, futtering child,
what use to struggle? You are in my
power now, and"
And you are In mine ~ shouted Jack,
rushing forward, and with one blow
telling the coward to the ground.
Audrey staggered; her lips tried to
open, but no sound came. The next min
ute she was clasped in somebody's arms.
Jack! Is it really you, Jack?" she
murmured.
Jacks lips assured her that 1t was no
myth. How he kissed her-eyes, hair,
brow, cheek. lips-as though he would
never tire. Then q glance at that form
lying on the ground recalled him to the
present.
Come" he said, gently: come, my
darling! Ny pretty, brave, noble. good
little wife, 80
As in q dream Audrey felt herself led
away to where the carriage lamps gleam-
ed
Jack lifted her in and shut the door.
81 will be back in a moment" ne said,
his voice deep with passionate love.
TT - S.La A.,I~