Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-09-06
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
The story that Audrey heard from her
mothers lips was a short and pitiful one
"A story full of woman's misery, a
mans treachery, and husbands broken
heart.
Years before, when Constance Gas
coigne was a girl of nineteen, and had
just made her debut In the world. she
went to stay with a half-sister Of her
mothers, down in a small country vii
lage. The aunt with whom Constance
stayed-Lady Anstruther-hid two sons,
one following no occupation, the other
young officer In a crack dragon regi-
ment, and with this cousin the beautiful
young girl fell most violently in love.
He on his side returned the love with
more than usual fervor. Constance was,
In his eyes, the most beautiful, the sweet
est, the dearest woman in all the world.
For a month the lovers lived in para
| disc; when suddenly an abrupt ending
came to the all too brief halcyon time.
Franks regiment was ordered to Bur-
nah they were to leave in fortnight.
What was to be done? Lady Ans
truther, already an invalid, was dis
traught at the thought of losing her
youngest and best-beloved son. Her
hearts best love was given to Frank,
although by no outward sign did she ever
allow the world to guess that he was
dcarer to her than her eldest, Roderick.
She was in no condition to be worried,
and that there would be no end Of worry
connected with their engagement the
lovers knew full well. Sir Edwin Gas
coigne would never consent to his daugh-
ter's marriage with a man who had moth
ing to depend upon except his pay, and
who was, moreover, the son Of a man
whom Sir Edward had always hated. 1t
was not a moment for delay, and Frank,
full Of eager desire to bind his darling to
him, determined to make her his wife
before the day of his departure came.
when once we are married, my dear.
est" he had urged, mot all the objec
tions in the world can part us for long
You do not mind roughing it with me
l know, and if Sir Edwin is very, very
angry, you can stay with mother till
have made all my arrangements for you
to follow me out to Burmah."
His entreaties, his passionate plead
ings won the day, and Constance con
scented to become his wife. They would
have taken Roderick into their confidence
had he given them the opportunity; bu
Franks brother had gone away almos
Immediately on Constance's arrival
had, indeed, Stunned meeting the CIR
in such a marked manner that Con
stance had felt vaguely hur..
81 am afraid Roderick does not Xix
me-" she had said to her lover; but Fran
laughed the idea to scorn.
Frederick is a queer, odd sort o
+ chap" he had answered; "but I'll stak
my existence that his feelings for 20
are not anything approaching dislike"
; "You are so much alike in face, an
i yet you are so different in nature" Cor
stance often said, gazing with admirin
eyes at her lover.
+. The two men were, indeed, strangel
= alike. Both had coal-black hair, an
0 clear skins, and eyes of the deepest, raj
s est blue. There was barely year b
y tween them, and in height, figure an
s general bearing they were the fac-simi
q of each other.
r They were married quietly one mori
g ing, the only witness to the ceremon
being Marshall and the village clerk, an
e Lncn, dlIer week Ol minSfcd ecSIdS
and unutterable pain at the thought
their forthcoming separation, the your
/ couple parted, Constance to return hon
/ to her fathers house, her wedding rir
|, suspended round her neck till the momer
: was opportune for speaking out her stor
v and Frank to make his final arrang
| ments.
It They had one farewell meeting,
/ which Frank sought to cheer and conso
=. his young wife by every means in h
IS power. He told her he had written fu
particulars of their marriage to Rode
It lex, and begged her to confde In b
t brother, who had promised to do all
his power to assist them.
r Bear up, my darling" be had entrea
y ed Gin six months frem to-day, plea
q heaven, you will be with me, and new
lie leave my side again as long as life last
Is II your father is obgdurate-well, ,
a must do without his forgiveness. XII
n me once more, my wife, my hearts /
ig loved, and remember, dearest, whatev
comes, trust in ROderick."
" Ito oe continued.)
ID