The Western news., 1907-11-13
By EFFEE a. ROWLANDS

lor Australla, ana might De absent for
years, perhaps forever So after all,
sheila had been partially successful, for
she had separated this man and wife.
1t was deputed to Jean to tell Audrey
that her husband was gone, but she let
| two days eiapse before she broached the
subject Of his name. The fit Of weeping
had done good rather than harm.
"lf only we had him here now. all
would be as right as ninepence," the
doctor had said to Jean on the morrow
following Jacks hurried departure.
But he Ia not here. and he will not
come, so we must think Of what will be
best under the circumstances"
The young doctor had look of warm
admiration for Jean. What courage, de-
termination and common sense she pos
scssed. and wi,hal how large a heart |!
Certainly Willie Fullerton was to be en-
We'd
Il am afraid she will fret when she is
told all, Jean added, thoughtfully; still
it is best all should be known. I shall
keep nothing from her. either now or in
the future and so, when at last she
spoke Of Jacks departure, Jean very
gently but thoroughly put all the facts
before Audrey that Mr.. Fullerton had
managed to CLEAN about the masked ball
and its miserable results. She was shown
Muiray's confession, signed and attested
by Sheila Fraser. She was given all the
information there was to give, and then
Jean very sensibly, and with more than
ordinary tact, went softly away, and left
her alone to fight the battle out by her
self
When they met again there were tear
stains on the girls white face, but she
was wonderfully quiet.
will you send for Jacks mother
please, Jean, and ask her to come home? :?
Now-now l am alone I should like her
advice. 1t Is only right and proper as
his wife | should consult his mother"
Ten days later news came to Mount
berry that Crniglands was preparing to
receive her grace Of Marlborough, who
was returning with her son, Lord Iverne,
and her daughterin-law, Lady John Glen
durwood, and, rs may be supposed, the
village was greatly exercised In its mind
over this intelligence, having had it's
curiosity whetted considerably by the
vague and unsatisfactory rumors that had
been circulated about the same said Lady
John.
Dingewood House was shut up, and it
was understood vaguely that Miss Fraser
was visiting, though where no one exact
y knew. 1t was generally voted annoy
ing that Sheila should have been absent
| just now. She could have thrown light
on a good deal Of what was perple1ing,
and have, moreover, given the real &C
count OF what had happened at the ball :;
whether 1t was true that Lady John had
| firted and behaved so abominably. or
whether DR.. and Mrs. Thorngate were
correct in saying that somebody had imi-
tated her lsdyship's domino, and cleverly
tricked the whole room Of quests into
imagining that it was Lady John who 70
thoroughly disgraced herself and her hus-
| bands name. Then Sheila, too could
have given the exact history as to what
had occurred between Lord John and his
wife. and what was the meaning of all
the extraordinary rumors that had been
circulated.
But Sheila was not on hand to be
questioned, and, in default of encourage
ment, 1t was really wonderful how soon
the excitement and curiosity began to
die away and how readily everybody grew
! to consider Audrey Ms having been most
injured by the trick that had been SC
wantonly played upon her. In fact, by
the time Christmas was due, Lady John
and her doinSs were a theme too old tc
be mentioned anywhere, and the affairs
at Craiglands would have been passed
over as almost Indifferent and uninterest
ing, but that, just as the joybells were
proclaiming the birth Of a new Christ
child, the Icy fingers Of the death ange
were laid upon the heart Of Duncan, Mar
quis Of 1verne, and he was taken from
his bed of suffering to a reign Of peace
and rest.