Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-10-30

"You must be my maid tonight, Jean,"
she said. a. they sat before the fire for
a few moments.
why, where Is Murray"
oh, she was very rude and was
obliged to send her away" Audrey an
swered, a shade falling on her face.
There have been a great many COM
plants about her downstairs"
II hope you told Lord John, Audrey"
she said. mo? My dearest, believe me,
you are wrong-this perpetual attacking
of you. Believe me, If it were once
known that your husband had put his
foot down, you would find Dinglewood
House would learn how to behave ITSELF"
But, Jean, dear, what has Dingle-
wood House to do with Murray's inso-
lence?" Audrey asked, quietly.
| More than you imagine, Audrey"
Audrey was silent for moment.
"Jean," she said, looking up with tears
in her eyes, "why is it that they-they
are so cruel? What have l ever done to
Sheila Fraser or Lady Daleswater that
they should hate me sop
"You have offended Lady Daleswater
by your beauty and aristocratic bearing !;
you have made an enemy of Sheila Fraser
because you have robbed her of the man
she meant to marry"
"Jeanw Audrey turned pale. us this
true?
| ASK any one about the place, and
you will find it is; but why should it dis
tress you? Remember the time 1t takes
to make your complexion; and how will
your ladyship have your hair dressed to-
night?"
Audrey smiled at Jeans grave mimicry
of Murray's voice.
Nov let us 60 down, the carriage is
at the door, and Mr.. Fullerton will be
tired of waiting"
She followed the black and silver dom
inc down the stairs, and then gave a
great start as Willie sauntered out of the
smoking room in his ordinary evening
dress.
why are you so late? Have you been
sleeping?" Jean demanded severely.
| Willie colored and stammered out an
excuse.
IF you will forgive me. I have such
a headache, ="
you want to stay at home? Certain
ly. Jean, look well after him. Good
night, darling; goodnight, Mr.. Fullerton :;
you really do look alarmingly ILL.," and
so, laughing, Audrey drove away.
Jean stood gazing out after the car
rage.
Willie had never seen her look like that
before, and 1t pushed him.
Il say. Miss Thwait, you are not
vexed did not 80, are you? IL am
-"
Jean turned to him hurriedly.
mot vexed, Mr.. Fullerton, but sorry.
I should like you to have been with her
tonight. I hardly know why say this,
but l have 4 presentiment that some
thing Is going to happen, and that Au-
drey will find sorrow, not pleasure, at
Sheila Fraser's masked BALL"
| CHAPTER XXI.
A huge ballroom had been erected on
the lawn, with light, wooden walls, and
one cone shaped roof the floor was par
quet, and as smooth az ice; a smart mill
tary band was to provide music; supper
was served in another temporary room,
and the drawing room, hall and conserva-
tory were turned into lounge and prom
enade.
Audrey felt quite bewildered as she
found herself In this throng of variously
colored forms, all with the black lace
or silk covering over their faces. She
wished vaguely she had not come, then
that she had Jack with her, or Willie
Fullerton. Suddenly Audrey became
aware that two people were talking Close
to her and that they were speaking Of
her.
"Taey cali her q beauty |" one woman's
voice said. Audrey could recognize Meth
er Of the two. "A small, Insignificant
thing like that. with her black hair and
staring white face! Jack 0lendurwood
did the worst days work he will ever
do when he married her! What can
low born and bred girl like that know
about social duties7"
"And yet they say she was q great
success In town."
Well, ask Gladys Daleswater and you
will hear the truth"
| "Ah, 1t was q sad mistake! Such a
nice fellow, too; he should have married
Sheila."
Il can't make out why on earth he
didn't This charity girl business seems
to me to have been very well arranged
by Mrs. Fraser. Why, everybody knows
he has always been In love with Sheila.
They are together now. just caught
sight of them as We came along, his tall
gray domino beside her pale-blue one.
I expect he tells her all his troubles.
Sheila Is 80 fond of him. They ought
to have been man and wife, and would
have been, too, but for that pasty-faced,
upstart creature"
Audrey's limbs seemed frozen, her heart
lump Of Ice. What was this she had
heard? What horrible nightmare had
come over her! So this was what was
said!
"Sheila and Jack!" Again and again
the phrase rang in her ears. "Sheila and
Jack !" They had always loved: they
loved now; and she-she. Audrey, the
low-born, low-bred charity girl-she stood
between them.
A moan broke from her burning lips
she held one hand pressed close over the
other 80 tightly a. almost to tear the
gloves she wore. Her brain was on FIRE
her head reeled.
She sat so quiet she might have been
figure Of marble, not human flesh and
blood. Not even In that one moment OF
actual peril on board the Mona had she
felt as she did now. She was stranded
hefore aha Rad aei1ad hsvoud fhe auYn-