The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-06-06
CHAPTER XXYIII.

i
away all that remained of the once hand
some, merry young Lord Verne and
buried him with pomp and solemnity in
the Marlborough vault. A telegram had
winged its fight across the ocean to Mel
bourne, from whence Mr.. Sampson had
received a curt announcement OF John
Glendurwoods safe arrival--a telegram
briefly giving the sad news of one broth
er's death to another, but no answer had
been vouchsafed, and the lawyer could
not but entertain strong doubts as to
whether the new Marquis of Iverne was
gone still further on his travels, and so
their message was unread.
Craiglands was very sad in those DAYS.
The duchess seemed to break down alto
gether after her sons death. Yet. despite
all this, she was gentle and kind to Au-
drey beyond description: she could not
have given the girl more love il she had
been her own child. They were quiet
days, and peaceful, and Audrey found
many little duties to perform which help
ed to make the hours fly. She was very
pale and delicate, but she refused to al
low Jean to consider her an invalid, and
was never weary of Hitting about the
duchess, eager to do all and anything in
her power to alleviate the sorrow which
was expressing the mothers heart. The
Ionly distraction was Willie Fullerton's
weekly visits, when his breezy, happy
manner seemed TO change the very atmos-
phere.
Snow had fallen heavily and it lay on
the ground during the whole month of
January and onward. Despite this, how
ever, Audrey would persist in going out
as much as possible.
ut does me good" she said to Jean,
who was fearful of every cold wind that
blew on her darling. II must 20. Jean.
II feel sometimes as il i should go
mad in the house :"
She had this restless feeling on her one
afternoon toward the middle of February.
Il shall walk into Mountberry. / want
to see Mrs. Thorsgate-do you mind.
dearest?" she asked the duchess. who sat,
half doing, half dreaming, by the fire.
take care OF yourself. Audrey Put
on stout boots. This snow is SO pene-
tratingw
Audrey walked briskly over the snow.
a slender, graceful figure in her heavy,
black garments, her lovely face loyelier
than ever in it's somber setting. She
was warmly greeted by DIR. Thorngate,
who was just leaving the vicarage as she
arrived Audrey thought he looked worn
and troubled.
My wife will be rejoiced to see you"
he said, and his gaze followed the giriish
form in an affection that was deepened
only by admiration and respect.
though she welcomed Lady Iverne with
all her old love. she was not herself
Audrey felt panied and full of sympathy.
Il am sure you would rather l did not
stay, dear Mrs. Thorngate." she said.
simply, rising and drawing on her wraps
again. you have something on your
mind and will be better alone"
Mrs. Thorngate's answer was to burst
into tears.
"My heart is broken ~ she sobbed.
"Oh, Beverley. my boy, my boy! And
have loved you, honored you, believed in
you SO much 20
Audrey 'knelt down by her friend.
LET me help you. Tell me ALL" she
begged, her own eyes growing dim and
misty with pity.
1t was a very brief story. Beverley
had written to his aunt that morning.
He was IN a terrible predicament. Two
| years back he had committed forgery out
in Africa; he had cleverly escaped de-
lection, and had come to England. think
ing all danger gone. Upluckily for him,
his movements and real name had been
discovered he had been tracked If the
money were not forthcoming in the next
twenty-four hours he would be handed
o-er to Justice.
Audrey, what can / do? What can
| [ do? cannot sit here and know that
| lie. the boy / have loved. is condemned
TO a felon's cell. He has been my joy,
my one delight, and Gus refuses to let
me help him."
Audrey felt her heart beginning to
beat with a sense of pain and apprehen-
sion. The very mention of this mans
name fell like black shadow on her
heart. She trernbled as she recalled all
| the evil his cold-blooded treachery had
worked between herself and Jack: the
| memory of his passionate love words
| raisei blush of shame to her face even
now, but she put her own feelings or
| one side to minister to Mrs Thorngate's
| sorrow.
| will you let me take this off your
shoulders?'' she asked. .'HushI Not q
word, We are friends, are we not? Rest
and be at peace, for. by Gods will, 1 will
save him from what you fear ~
Ito be continued.)