The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-06-08
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued)

awoke after that long, heavy sleep a diff
ferent being. 1t was evening when the
slumber left him, and at once his gaze
went round the room in search of that
lovely girlish face that had haunted his
dreams 80 delightfully."-
Audrey" he whispered, family, and
some one came hurriedly out of the dusk
and knelt beside the bed.
They said no words, only his hand
clasped itself round her two little ones,
and he lay gazing at her sweet eyes as
though they were heaven itself.
"Now you have turned the corner, and
are going on well, l am going to look
after your wife, Lord john" DIR. Sen
lance said, cheerily.
MY wife |" What world Of passion
ate tenderness, even though it was whis-
pered and not spoken, rang in those two
little words Audrey's heart thrilled.
"She must rest; she Is young, and
needs plenty of sleep, and she has been
fretting over you in most terrible fash
ion. Come, Lady John, you can leave his
lordship with light heart, for he could
not possibly be better. The best nurse,
absolutely the best nurse l have ever had,
Mrs Fraser y he declared, pleasantly.
Sheila Fraser did not return to Din
glewood nor did she vouchsafe to CORE
spond with her stepmother. She remain
ed on in London, victim to the most
bitter disappointment and modification.
For nearly two minutes Sheila and
Beverley were struck speeches. as Lady
Daleswater rushed in with her bad news
The girl had turned ashen white, and
Beverley's hands clinched themselves in
voluntarily. Lady Daleswater recovered
herself first.
WHO Ia this gentleman" she asked
coldly, feeling annoyed that she had be-
trayed her family affairs before COM
plete stranger.
Beverley answered her at once.
II am a man to whom this intelli-
gence is more painful than you can pos
sibly imagine, Lady Daleswater," an
swered Beverley.
"Mr. Beverley Rochfort means that
he is madly in love with this girl, who
has flung herself at your brothers head"
said Sheila slllenly. ut will be better
to explain everything to you, dear Lady
Daleswater."
The countess listened attentively she
brother and the poor innocent little crea-
ture who had allied herself to the ducal
family, that every nerve thrilled to be
able to seize upon something, however
faint that might be worked upon to bring
about an annulment of this odious mar
rage. She uttered sharp exclamation;
1t almost sounded like Joy as she listened.
"All Is not SO bad" she cried. "Sheila,
don't you understand Mr.. Rochfort,
as this creatures guardian, cannot only
object to the marriage, but, according to
the letter of the bond he holds, can in
sist on the girl living where he wishes
Mr.. Rochfort, that piece of paper must
be in my lawyers hands tonight; and
unless / am very much mistaken, they
will ratify what / say-that you will
have absolute and entire control over the
girl"
Sheila's cheeks grew a shade roster
as she heard Lady Daleswaters clear,
proud tones.
1.-THE countess liz right" she said to
Beverley, as they were alone; you will
be able to break this absurd marriage.
You must You must !"
There are other ways of disposing Of
the marriage tie besides simple annul-
ment," he said to himself, cynically, and
b., smiled into the flames. "If that course
fails, as fail 1t must, for we have not
leg to stand upon, don't think l shall
be very disheartened. My wits have new
er failed me yet, and my day will come y
1t was@quite nine O'Clock and the earl
had just returned from Mountberry, and
had poured an account of what had oc-
CURED between himself and the duchess
Into his wifes ears. Lady Daleswater
was simply furious with resentment
against her mother, but she did not dis
cuss the matter further as Sheila came in.
The legal advisers Of the earl and
countess had answered her ladyship's
hasty summons promptly, and all they
waited for was Beverley Rochfort to APP
pear.
Just when conversation on the vexed
and important question was In full swing,
a note was brought In and handed to the
countess. She read 1t through, and grew
white to the lips with modification.
"Mr. Rochfort has deserted US and gone
over to the enemy" she said, CURLY, and
then she handed the letter to her husband
and bid him read 1t aloud.
Beverley wrote very clearly and briefly.
He had already consulted his lawyer,
who had told him promptly that any
question Of annulling the marriage was
as impossible ss absurd; therefore he beg
ged Lady Daleswater to accept his de-
cided refusal to join her In this matter.
II am sure when you are less, and, l
may say, justly, incensed at this mar
rage" he wrote, ''you will see that as a
man Of honor can do nothing but this,
for were to enforce my guardianship, /
must rob Lady John Glendurwood of the
large fortune which was bequeathed her
by Mr.. Roderick Anstruther on his death
bed. regret that can offer your lady
ship no avail In the matter"
1T Is a good move" he said, alone In
his rooms. 'Of course, If that confound-
ed paper would have stood the light of
day would not have scrupled to use 1t,
but 1t 10 too feeble a bridge to carry me
over. This other Is a safer and a surer
onel Once a friend In John Glendur-
woods house, the rest win be easy !" and
he laughed softly.
Poor, sweet, young Audrey, how little
a