Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-05-02
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)

Or. Sentance's hopeful prognostica-
4tions we're fulfilled. Jack Giendurwood
swoke after that long, heavy sleep dit-
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 so 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 ana
are going on well, l am going to look
after your wife, Lord John,' DR.. Sen
Sance said, cheerily
"My wife" What world Of passion
ate tenderness, even though 1t was whls-
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 oeen
fletting over you in most terrible lasn-
don. Come, Lady John, you can leave MS
.ordship with light heart. for ne couio
not possibly be better. The best nurse,
absolutely the best nurse | have ever mad,
Mrs Fraser !" he declared. pleasantly.
Sheila Fraser did not return to Dln-
rlewood 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 speechless as Lady
.1,oJ in,
The girl had turned ashen white, and
Beverley's hands clinched themselves IN
voluntarily. Lady Daleswater recovered
herself first.
"Who is 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 inteili-
xence is more painful than you can pos
sibly imagine, Lady Daleswater,' an
swered Beverley.
"Mr. Beverley Rochfort means that
he ia madly in love with this girl. who
has flung herself at your brothers head
said .Sheila sullenly. ut will be better
TO explain everything to you, dear Lazy
Daleswater."
The countess listened attentively; she
was 50 deeply enraged with her mother,
brother and the poor innocent little crea-
fire who had allied herself to the ducal
family. that every nerve thrilled to be
sabie to seize upon something, however
faint that might be worked upon to bring
shout an annulment of this odious mar
rr;ege. She uttered sharp exclamation !;
it almost sounded like Joy as she listened.
A.AII is not 50 bad" she cried "Sheila,
don't you understand? MIR. Rochfort,
as this creatures guardian, cannot only
object to the marriage, but, according to
the letter of the bond he holds, can in
eist on the girl living where he wishes.
Mr.. Rochfort, that piece of paper must
be in my lawyers hands tonight; and
un,ess | am very much mistaken, they
will ratfy what | say-that you Will
have absolute and entire control over the
girl"
Sheila's cheeks grew shade roster
as she heard Lady Daleswater's clear,
proud tones.
1.-The countess Is right" she said to
Beverley, as they were alone; you will
!be able to break this absurd marriage
You mustl You must!
"There are other ways Of disposing OF
the marriage tie besides simple annul
ment." he said to himself. cynically, and
n smiled into the flames. ''If that course
fails. as fail it must. for we have mo-
a leg to stand upon, don't think l shall
be very disheartened. My wits have nev
ar failed me yet, and my day will come !
It was quite nine o'clock and the ear
had lust returned from Mountberry, ant
had poured an account of what had oc
.,,r,red between himself and the duches
into his wife's ears. Lady Daleswate
was simply furious with resentmen
against her mother, but she did not dis
cuss the matter further as Sheila came II
The legal advisers of the earl an
countess had answered her ladyship'
basty summons promptly, and all the
waited for was Beverley Rochfort to az
pear.
Iust when conversation on the vexe
and important question was IN full swlnt
"a note was brought in and handed to tn
countess. She read it through, and gre
white to the lips with modification.
4.Mr. Rochfort has deserted us and gon
,pver TO the enemy" she said, curtly, an
then she handed the letter to her husoan
and bid him read 1t aloud.
Beverley wrote very clearly and orieh.
Vie had already consulted his lawye
who had told him promptly that an
question of annulling the marriage wa
IA impossible ss absurd: therefore he be-
sred Lady Daleswater to accept MS
s.ided refusal to join her in this matter.
81 am sure when you are less, and,
may say, Justly. incensed at this ma
riage." he wrote, "you will see that as
man of honor l can do nothing but thi
for we're to enforce my guardianship,
must rob Lady John Glendurwood OF q
large fortune which was bequeathed b
nv Mr.. Roderick Anstruther on his deaf
bed. | regret that l can offer your LAD
ship no avail in the matter.
"It is a good move" he said, alone
hi. rooms "Of course, il that contour
ed paper would have stood the light
day I would not have scrupled to use
but it is too feeble a bridge to carry
over. This other is a safer and a sur
one, Once a friend In John Glendr
xyood's house. the rest will be easy !" a
he laughed softly.
Poor, sweet, young Audrey. how lit
Ala she know the storm clouds that we
gathering over her-ciouds born OF JUDI
like treachery, envious hate, mean spi