Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-09-06
By EFFEE a. ROW. ANES


He touched Sheilas arm; he had soon
fathomed her and her intentions. 1t
gave him pleasure to tease he-, especial
would never be shared by him.
"Glendurwood has good TASTE" he said,
CURLY, with a disagreeable smile.
Il always knew that girl was no good ~
she exclaimed angrily. what business
has she to talk to-my-our guests in
this way? 1t is disgraceful"
You should blame the guests, not
her. Glendurwood sought her deliberate
ly; that I can vouch for myself. She
is very beautiful
II do not care to discuss the appear
ance of my servants, Mr.. Rochfort," was
Sheila's spiteful remark
mo, nor any other person, servant or
no servant, when they have a face like
this girl" thought Beverley 10 himself.
Jack was only asking after Mrs. Fra
ser, but he made no haste to join the
others when he had received an answer.
Instead, he turned and walked beside the
girl as she moved onward.
Have you nothing to say, Audrey"
he asked, after a long pause.
She looked at him in shy, startled
yet inexpressibly sweet way.
II don't know, my lord,' sho said,
timidly.
They were going away from the beaten
track into a lonely and wider bit Of the
grounds. Jack felt that every scrap Of
moral courage and worldly wisdom in
which he had been trying to Unfold him
self ever since that night in the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow
ed himself to dwell much on Audrey
beauty and unfathomable c3arms, and
yet, despite himself, he had done nothing
else but think of her, and now, at this
first opportunity Of being alone with her,
he forgot the wide difference that lay be-
tween them forgot all but that he loved
her. She was so young, so fresh, SO
innocent; her beauty of mind was no less
than her loneliness of face aud form.
Audrey !" he said. He put ont both
his hands and held them toward her, the
muf dropped to the ground ana her small
fingers nestle into his. Audrey - How
sweet her eyes were how brilliant He
shook off the intoxicatiSn that was steal
ing over him. MY darling, my little
child !" he said, huskily.
She drew nearer to him aud gave lit
tie glad cry.
"Ah! You love me-" she whispered
you ~
"Yes, I, my dearest, dearest one Did
you not know it before, Audrey"
II knew you were my FRIEND" she fal,
tered-for something in his eyes, bent or
her, made her heart beat and the blood
mount to her cheeks.
"Frlend and lover, aye, little one, you
lover till l die. Are you frightened
AudreyT"
She smiled timidly, and her heat
dropped 50 that he had to catch hel
whisper.
"Not frightened, only happy"
With an exclamation or joy he drew
her to him, folded his asms about hel
and sought her lips.
He kissed her long and silently, hold
ing her small form close to his heart
then he lifted his head and smiled dow
at her.
Audrey, do you love weT
She looked at him out Of her blue eyes
There seemed to be heaven itself mir
rored In their depths, but she made n,
answer. Her speech was gone, she wa
like one bewildered, yet so very, yer.
, happy. No words could come, only a
! he repeated his question she clung to hin
with a passionate gesture and buried he
face on his rough coat. A clock chimin
FIVE reused them.
"I must gol" Audrey cried in surpris
and dismay.
Jack laughed at her eaFerness.
. "Never mind, we shall soon alter thai
I young lady, when you belong to me a
together. What, you will go? Wei
then, you must give me another kiss
another! Oh, darling, darlingl HOY
have / lived without you so long2
: shall come early tomorrow, my swee
= one, and we will confess ell to Mrs. Era
ser, who will give US her help, 1 know
e Heaven bless you, my dearest Bles
d and guard your
!, Audrey smiled through the tears tha
4 would come, and then, turning. ran flee
ly away.
o Jack Glendurwood stood Enzing tender
|. IL after her, all ignorant that stealth
a figure In the background was creepin
J. after him as he walked through Ii
/ bushes. A smile was lowering on his liz
: when suddenly above his head swung
l., heavy loaded stick, and ae Il came dow
e crash on his skull Jack gave a sobbin
It cry and fell insensible 20 the earth.
81 said I'd be even with you, m
y lord, and I've kept my word" muttere
r Henry Downs to himself; then, wit
d many backward glances. he riHed the Coz
v pockets of all they contained, shoulders
IS as he saw the blood trickliug down Il
= white, still face, and divsd In among Il
. bushes and left his victim to bis fate.
y Mountberry rang with gossip the fo
% lowing day. Lord John GiendurwoC
q had been found In the Dinglewot
"a grounds, robbed and half murdered. al
Il Audrey Maxse-a charity girl, who hG
v come to Dinglewood HOUSE as maid
= Miss Fraser-had turned out to be
n lady born, and none other than the daug
% ter Of Mrs. Fraser by q previous ma
u riAge.
d This extraordinary piece Of news sea
o, ed to give good Mrs. Thongats unlimit,
K satisfaction, and she poured ont the who
t, story to her nephew as they sat togeth
le In her coy drawing room.
There was q smile and look Of OaSo
3 ness on Bevsrleyis handsome face a.