The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-03-23
THE CHARITY GIRL
BY EFFIE A. ROWLANDs

Nv EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

But fate was evidently against her, for
the board accepted the Rev. Mr.. Thorn
gates proposal and Audrey was given a
hew black gown, bonnet and cloak. and
was bid hold herself in readiness to depart
on the morning of the fifth day,
Jean spent the whole of tie long night
that came before that fifth day in COM
forting her beloved friend and herself, and
at last had the satisfaction Of seeing Au-
drey drop off into a deep, troubled sleep.
No rest came to her; her poor young heart
was torn and bleeding, and no salve was
at hand to heal it.
The parting between the two girls was
very quiet; neither of them could speak
the words of farewell, and their eyes were
too hot and aching for tears to come.
Think of me always, Jean, dear.
Whatever happens, whatever lies before
us, l shall love you, darling, till I die p
Then they kissed each other and Au-
drey went swiftly down the stairs, seeing
nothing, hearing nothing for the passion
ate beat of her heart and the blur of sor-
row before her sight.
Jean stood with her hands pressed to
her breast, and as the wheels of the cab
| carried all that was precious to her away
from her, perhaps forever, she gave one
moan and fell forward on her outstretch-
ed arms.
When the assistant matron came in,
scolding and grumbling, as usual, she re-
ceived no reply from Jean Thwait, and,
bending over the PROSTATE figure, she
saw that the girl had tainted.
CHAPTER II.
As Audrey found herself alone In the
cab, driving out of the high, iron gates
of the asylum, she felt she must be in
some extraordinary dream. She had new
er driven in any sort of ?ehicle before,
and the curious sensation of being car
ried over the road at quick pace added
to the vagueness that seemed to envelop
her; but the keen east wind as it rush
ed in at the window awoke her, and with
a sigh, she knew it was no dream, but a
| reality full Of excitement, confusion and
unspeakable pain. The tears she had re-
pressed rolled down her checks as she
thought of Jean left alone n that mis-
cradle life. Then her youog spirit rose
above her grief. She was free, and be-
fore very long Jean should he free, too,
and they would 60 away together, as they
had dreamed and whispered 90 often in
the night hours. Mr.. Thorpgate was
waiting at the station and spoke kindly
to the girl.
There is your ticket, Maxse," he said.
land when you reach Mountrerry you
must get out and wait on the platform
till lady speaks to you. She is my
wife, and will look after you. 1 should
have taken you down myself, but cannot
leave Broadborough for another week.
Now, you must be good, diligent worker,
and never forget your duty to your en-
ployers and to heaven"
Audrey thanked the kind-hearted cler-
gyman and accepted his advice gracefully.
The train carriage was quite empty, and
they were proceeding at a quick, even
pace that had the effect Of soothing the
girl. The rumble of the wheels buzzed
sort of lullaby in her earz. She was
very weary and was soon lost to every
thing in a deep, dreamless sumber.
She was awakened by a sudden OPEN
ing OF the door, by several voices shout
ing, and by some person jumping into
the carriage and sinking on to the seat
brearhless, evidently with having run
very fast. 1t was young man. Audrey
gazed at him in startled amazement
through her veil. He was splashed with
mud from head to foot, but bis clothes
were perfect in make and fit. He wore
rough riding breeches and boots, and had
a hunting crop in his right hand. He
laughed and brushed some of the mud off
his sleeve with his crop. lie pulled out
his watch and consulted it.
Just twelve" Audrey heard him NUT
ter, and she was bewildered to think
she must have slept for something like
two hours. She drew back a little ner-
vously into her corner, for the young
man had folded his arms and was gazing
intently at her slender, blacx-robed figure
out of pair of very handsome gray eyes,
As a matter of fact, Lord John Glen
durwood was not even aware of what
was opposite to him. He was busy max
ing rapid mental calculation.
"Ten minutes to the stables, and then
a good hours hard ride back, and then
they will not be miles away before | even
an udll-Wdy tucIc. well, ~ ) WOrCQ nav
ing a shot at anyhow. l must get a
brush-down somewhere. Sheila will have
fit if turn up like this. don't know
how I came such cropper; making such
jolly fool of myself, too, before every
body. 1 hope poor Hector isn't badly
famed, poor old chap! Can't take him
out again this week, that's very certain.
Here we are at Glaston, abother FIVE
minutes, and then Beignton, and then
the stables just as fast as know how
to run"
The train drew up at a little station,
and the guard came running down to the
carriage. He touched his cap with great
respect.
"'Ope you didn't 'urt yerself. my lord !;
but you know it Is dangerous jumping
in like that, when she's on the move
Won't you change carriages, my lore: :
This amt fit for the likes Ct your lord
ship What did you shy, ma'am?"
"Am-am I near Mount5erry Station,
please?" faltered Audrey, breaking in on
the brief conversation.