The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-04-27
CHAPTER v

What time do we start?" Sheils Fra
ser asked Lord John, as breakfast drew
to an end.
She was not alone with the Young
man; an elderly lady, poor relative
OF her mothers, was present. Had
Sheila been left to her own lnclinations.
this quiet, grim, and undoubtedly mid
dle-class Mrs. Watson would never have
been given q place In her home: but
Constance Fraser had spoken 10 direct
and to the point on this subject that
her stepdaughter had given lu, aud offered
In as gracious a manner as she could the
post OF housekeeper to this impoverished
connection. +r'.s. -.
DO you seriously think Of going. to-
dayT he laughed, turning to the girl.
who looked very fresh and pretty in her
picturesQuely draped white serge sown-
why not?' demanded Shella.
Remember the ball."
"Oh, the ball +" with an s,ry lan.h
MY dear Lord John, l could follow the
hounds for week at a time, and then
dance through two balls"
"Sheila has excellent health" Mrs
Watson remarked, monotonors!y.
Sheila rose abruptly. How slow their
friendship advanced. He was perfectly
aware that 1t was his mothers most earn
est desire to gee Sheila Fraser his wife.
but he was equally well 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 he was so intimate with the
heiress of Dinglewood, he had never bv
word or deed given either Sbe:la or anv
one else reason to suppose that he held
any deper feeling for the girl than that
of an ordinary friend.
Later Sheila had some dinner In her
room, having ascertained that Mrs. Fra
ser would be well enough to accompany
her to the ball and when the time CANA
she arrayed herself In her magnificent
diamonds, and even gave 1.-The charity
girl" a smile, as Audrey, overcome with
the brilliant spectacle, put her hand,
together, and exclaimed aloud with de-
lighted admiration.
Let Maxse sit up for me, BRIGHAM"
she ordered. and then she swept away
and Joined Mrs. Frasers tall, elegant
figure In the hall below.
MY mistress ought not TO have eons
out tonight 1t Ia enough to kill her !"
exclaimed Marshall In indignation. "If
| had my way, I'd have told Miss Fra
ser pretty plain what think of her.
dragging a poor. sick, suffering creature
out cold night like this, and all for her
selfishnsss It's heartless, that's what
call tip
Bircham made no reply, although she
overheard this speech; but Audrey felt
her heart beating with sympathy, too.
How fragile and Ill Mrs. Fraser looked
Surely Miss Fraser could not have known
how weak she was!
Now, keep up the FIRE, and you may
go to sleep, II 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."
Aurrey glanced at the clock and sighed
YEARLY; she sat down timidly on one Of
the richly covered chairs, and dictated to
herself that she must not and should not
go to 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, q bell
went pealins through the silent house.
She started from her coy nook and rub
bed her eyes. Nearly half past twelve!