Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-01-18
CHAPTER Y

What time do we start?" Sheila Fra
ser asked Lord John, as breakfast drew
to an end.
She was not alone with the young
man; an elderly lady, a poor relative
of her mothers, was present. Had
Sheila been left to her own 1nclinations.
this quiet, grim, and undoubtedly mid
dle-clasS Mrs. Watson would never have
been given a place in her home; but
Constance Fraser had spoken so direct
and to the point on this subject that
her stepdaughter had given in, and offered
in as gracious manner as she could the
post of housekeeper to this impoverished
connection.
DO you seriously think of going to-
day. he laughed, turning to the girl,
who looked very fresh and pretty in her
picturesquely draped white serge gown.
"Why not?" demanded Sheila.
Remember the ball."
ooh, the ball " with an airy laugh.
"My dear Lord John, l could follow the
hounds for a week at a time, and then
dance through two balls"
''Sheila has excellent health" Mrs.
Watson remarked, monotonously.
Sheila rose abruptly. How slow their
friendship advanced. He was perfectly
aware that it was his mothers most earn
est desire to see Sheila Fraser his wife,
but he was equally we'll aware that he
had no such desire himself. He was in
no hurry to be married, and be certainly
would never marry for money.
All this, however, he kept 10 himself,
and although he was so intimate with the
heiress of Dinglewood, he had never by
word or deed given either Sheila or any
one else reason to suppose that he held
any deper feeling for the girl than that
of an ordinary friend.
Later Sheila had some dinner in her
room, having ascertained that Mrs. Fra
ser would be we'll enough to accompany
her to the ball and when the time came
she arrayed herself in her magnificent
diamonds, and even gave the charity
GIRL" a smile, as Audrey, overcome with
the brilliant spectacle, put her hands
+ooether. and exclaimed aloud with de-
lighted admiration.
Let Maxse sit up for me, Bircham,
she ordered, and then she swept y
and Joined Mrs. Fraser's tall, elegant
figure in the hall below
NV mistress ought not to have gone
out tonight! 1t is enough to kill her J.
exclaimed Marshall in indignation. Ii
I had nv way, I'd have told Miss Fra
ser pretty plain what l think OF her'
dragging a poor sick, suffering creature
ont a cold night like this, and al! Tor hef
selfshness, It's heartless, thats What
| call it J!
Bircham made no reply, although sne
overheard this speech; but Audrey fep
bar heart beating with sympathy, 100.
How fragile and i'll Mrs. Fraser looked
Surely Miss Fraser could not nave Known
how weak she was
Now. keep up the fire, and you may
90 to sleep, if you like" Bircham SAID.
.Sao that Miss Sheila's slippers are
warm. and everything out that she wants
THEY'LL ring the bell when they come ce;
but I don't expect they'll BE nome III
quite morning" ;a,od
Aurrey glanced at the clock ana slgnec
vasr;lv she sat down timidly on one OIL
rho r;chlv covered chairs, and dictated 10
herself that she must not and snouiu no.
oo 70 sleep Needless to say, oetore nan
an hour had gone. soothed by me warmth,
tLo ,.vurious cushions at her back ana
inllad nv the silvery ticking OF the cloch'
sha was fast asleep, dreaming OF Jean !;
All at once she was awakened, oeli
vent pesing through the silent mouse s
ca s+artad from her coy nook ana ruo,
- -. o1as Nearly half past twelve