The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-09-06
CHAPTER VII.

du.jng the week that followed as to the
very apparent change that had come over
sack Gle1durwood. He came to Dingle-
wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave ner to understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not to herself.
Sne racked her brain to find the real
reason Was it jealousy Of Beverley
Rochjort, with whom she certainly had
6irted, though very mildly, since he had
coE.e on the scene; or was it caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of 1verne's
COZ dition grew worse, and he, John Glen
durwood, would be to a certainty in the
deal mans place and heir to the dukedom
before many months had elapsed?
The thought of this approaching event,
It need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eagcrness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged fisncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never guess the real
reason of this change, never dream that
1t was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-S
ference to Audrey that had opened Jacks
eyes to. her true character, and planted
the first seeds of contempt ia his breast
toward her.
He had got the whole story from Mar
shall, who cleaned it from Audrey, and
certainly Miss Fraser's conduct did not
sound we'll when her furious temper and
her virulent abuse of poor, nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed in
calm. collected manner.
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall, seeing her so
nv,I
more than repaid for her kind action at
the pleasure her mistress expressed In
having the girl about n-r.
As for Audrey herself, she seemed to
be in one long, pleasant dream. Mrs.
Fraser's sweet, low voice and delicate
beauty, her gently uttered thanks and
consideration for the comfort of those
about her was new and delightful SEN
satlon; Marshall's patience and ready
will, more than pleasant, AID her life so
peaceful and happy that sne c.uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived it and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
aboIt Audrey's eyesS nor did she seem to
recognize that vague, curious likeness
that had 30 startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was not
dull; she had plenty of visitors. Miss
Frsser came first thing In the morning
and chatted in q desultory fashion with
her stepmother, and after her came Mrs.
Thorngate, who was welcomed eagerly by
the invalid.
Audrey was never in the room when
the rector's wife called, out she always
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spoke
to her when Mrs. Thorngate had gone
away again, and what flushed, eager
look there was on the wal face. At
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Miss
Frazer, but beyond frown ard q sharp
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing
she knew better than to object to any
arrangement her stepmother might make
One afternoon, toward me end of the
week, Mrs Fraser sent the girl out for a
walk.
"You have sat long enough over that
sewing: brisk walk will GO you good
besides, expect my lawyer down from
London on-on important business"
"Are you happy with me, my child2'
she asked in low tones, sob sounding
as If 1t were behind her voice. \
"Oh! $50 happy" Audrey cried
kneeling beside her. II wrote and tolt
OCuA INV SVOu yOu WCIc " ulc, duu
heard from her this morning. She say
you must be an angel, und 10 l thinl
you are" at
kiss me-" murmured Constance Fras
or, gazing up into the lovely girlish fac,
almost hungrily, certainly passionately
Audrey laid her cool lips on those o
the older woman.
II love you," she whispered, involun
tarily.
my dear! My dear"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for MON
ent, then with another kiss and ten
der smile waved her on.
1T must be true, / feel It here" sh
said to herself, as she was alone, an,
she pressed her hand to her heart. "Oh
heaven! II this comes TO me, how shall
thank Thee for Thy goodness 2"
Audrey soon equipped herself. She n,
longer wore the hideous black bonnet
but smaller one, with bright crimson
ribbon as a relief to her dark locks Mrs
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vii
lage, and had bought the girl many gar
ments, which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure in Audrey's breast Sh
could not bring herself to realize tina
they were all for her.
1t was bitterly cold day, but Audre
did not seem to feel it; she planted he
hands in her warm muff and dance
along singing gayly to herself from YER
exuberance of spirit. The world. wa
beautiful, after all-so her simple, child
ish heart determined She was quit
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and dea
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and Kin
Arthur! She did not know which sh
liked best. She walked down one of tn
secluded paths, and shrank, SO sh
thought, out Of sight as she saw a part
of people coming up from tue lake, wher
skating was in high swing. Sheila, Il
magnificent sealskin, with cap t
match, on her rudy hair, was walkin
beside Beverley Rochfort. She locke
bored, as indeed she was and cross, toe
into the bargain, for there was JAG
still chatting to plain Louisa Everest
and he had not been near her all til
afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight Of Audrey
lovely face in among the bushes an
trees, but Beverley did, and his hear
leaped with passionate admiration as b
gazed. He had seen her about three q