The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-04-20
CHAPTER VII.

sack Glendurwood. He came 10 Dlngle,
wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave ner - understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not TO herself.
Sne racked her brain to find the rea
reason. Was it jealousy of Beverley
Rochjort, with whom she cer tainly had
6irted, though very mildly, since he hao
coIre on the scene or was it caused Dy
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of lverne'
COZ Gition grew worse, and he, John Glen
durwood, would be to a certainty IN the
deal mans place and heir to he dukedom
before many months had elapsed!
The thought of this approa hing event,
It need hardly be said, whetted Shelfa
eascrness 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
It was her unwomanly cruelty and indlf-
ference to Audrey that had opened Jack S
eyes tc her true character, anG planted
the first seeds of contempt in 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 well when her furious temper and
he1 virulent abuse of poor, nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed in
calm. collected manner.
MIS-. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall, seeing her so
muc1 better, ventured to tell her, and was
more than repaid for her kind action at
the pleasure her mistress expressed In
having the girl about her.
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 a new and delightful SEN
satinn, Marshal's patience and ready
will, more than pleasant, AID Der life so
peaceful and happy that she c.uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived it and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
aboGt Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem to
recc gDize that vague, curious likeness
that had so startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was not
dull; she had plenty Of visitors. Miss
Freser came first thing IN the morning
and chatted in a 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
hook there was on the wal face. At
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Miss
Frazer, but beyond frown ard a 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 co you good
besides, | expect my lawyer down from
London on-on important business"
Are you happy with ME, my child? p
she asked In low tones, q sob sounding
as If it were behind her voice.
"Oh! 500 happyw Audrey cried.
kneeling beside her. 81 wrote and told
Jean how good you were to me, and l
heard from her this morning. She says
you must be an angel, und so l think
you are"
kiss me- murmured Constance Fras-
er, gazing up into the lovely airlish face
almost hungrily. certainly passionately.
Audrey laid her cool !irs on those of
the older woman.
Il love you," she whispered, lnvolun-
tarily.
my dearl My dear!"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for a nom
ent, then with another kiss and a ten
der smile waved her on.
1T must be true, I feel II here" she
said to herself, as she was alone, and
she pressed her hand to her heart. "Oh,
heaven! If this comes to me, how shall
thank Thee for Thy gootness?"
Audrey soon equipped nerself She no
longer wore the hideous black bonnet.
but smaller one, with a bright crimson
ribbon as a relief to her dark locks. Mrs
Fraser had sent Marshall into the viii
lage and had bought The girl MANY gar
ments. which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure In Audrey's breast. She
could not bring herself to realize thar
they were all for her.
1t was a bitterly cold day, but Audrev
did not seem to feel it; she planted her
hands In her warm muff, and danced
along, singing gayly to herself from yery
exuberance of spirit. The world was
beautiful. after all-so her simple. child
ish heart determined. She was ouite
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and dea,
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and Kine
Arthur! She did not know which abe
liked best. She walked down one Of the
secluded paths, and shrank, 30 sb.
thought, out Of sight as she saw a nartx
of people coming up from the lake. whers
skating was in high swing. Shei!a. n
q magnificent sealskin, with a can r.
match. on her rudy hair, was watkins
beside Beverley Rochfort. She looked
bored, as indeed she was, and cross. too
into the bargain, for there was Jaeh
still chatting to plain Louisa Everest
and he had not been near her all thu
afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight Of Audrey,
lovely face in among the bushes ani