Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-09-06
/ THE CHARITY GIRL 1
By EFFEE .. ROWLANDS

BY EFFEE q. R0WLANDS


afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight of Audrey's
lovely face in among the bushes and ,
trees but Beverley did, and his heart
leaped with passionate admiration as he
gazed. He had seen her about three or
four times, and his pulses thrilled to
madness when he even thought of her.
He let his eyes linger on her now, and !
then he grew ashen white to his very
lips. Some one else had seen Audrey,
and was going boldly through thu bracken
toward her 1t was John Gendurwood.
lie touched Sheila's arm he. had soon
fathomed her and her intentions. 1t
gave him pleasure to tease her, especial.
ly since he discovered that her money
would never be shared by him.
"Glendurwood has good TASTE" he said,
CURLY, with a disagreeable smile.
Il always knew that girl was no good ~
she exclaimed angrily. what business
has she to talk to-my-our guests in
this way? 1t is disgraeefu I"
you should blame the guests, not
her. Glendurwood sought her deliberate
ly; that 1 can vouch for myself. She
is very beautiful! p
II do not care to discuss the appear
ance of my servants, Mr.. Rochfort," was
Sheila's spiteful remark.
mo, nor any other person, servant or
no servant, when they have a face like
this girl" thought Beverley 10 himself
Jack was only asking after Mrs. Fra
ser, but he made no haste to join the
others when he had received an answer.
Instead, he turned and walked beside the
girl as she moved onward.
Have you nothing to say, Audrey"
he asked, after a long pause.
She looked at him in shy, startled
yet inexpressibly sweet way.
} Il don't know, my lord she said,
timidly.
} They were going away from the beaten
track into lonely and wider bit of the
: grounds. Jack felt that every scrap of
} moral courage and worldly wisdom in
: which he had been trying to Unfold him
self ever since that night IN the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow.
: ed himself to dwell much on Audrey
} beauty and unfathomable c1arms, and
5 yet, despite himself, he had done nothing
! else but think Of her, and now, at this
t first opportunity of being alone with her,
S he forgot the wide difference that lay be-
9 tween them forgot all but that he loved
D her. She was 80 young, so fresh, so
. innocent; her beauty of mind was no less
y than her loneliness of face ard form.
Audrey he said. He put out both
n his hands and held them toward her, the
s muff dropped to the ground ami her small
e fingers nestle into his. Audrey" How
e sweet her eyes were. how brilliant He
r shook off the intoxication that was steal
t ing over him. my darling, my little
is child p he said, huskily.
p She drew nearer to him aud gave lit
+; tie glad cry.
y "Ah! You love me- she whispered
E. you"
e "Yes, I, my dearest, dearest one ! Die
a you not know it before, Audrey"
st knew you were my TREND" she fall
1t tered-for something in his eyes. bent OF
l.; her, made her heart beat ana the blood
N mount to her cheeks.
Friend and lover, aye little one, you
;" lover till die. Are you frightened
Is AudreyT
She smiled timidly, and her heac
d. dropped so that he had to catch he
ID whisper.
mot frightened, only happy"
rs With an exclamation or joy he drew
TX her to him, folded his arms about he
and sought her lips.
s. He kissed her long and silently, hold
ce ing her small form close to his heart
v. then he lifted his head and smiled dow
Of at her.
Audrey, do you love ueT'
n She looked at him out Of her blue eyes
There seemed to be heaven itself mil
rored in their depths but she made n
n answer. Her speech was gone, she wa
n like one bewildered, yet so very, yer
hannv. No words could come, only a
he he repeated his question she chung to hiI
nd with a passionate gesture and buried he
n. face on his rough coat. ciock chimin
all five reused them.
81 must gor' Audrey cried in surpris
no and dismay.
ct. Jack laughed at her eagerness.
on "Never mind, we shall soon alter tina
rs. Young lady, when you belong to me a
il together. What, you will got Wei
,r- then. you must give me another kiss
In another! Oh, darling. darling Ho
he have I lived without you 40 long?
at shau come early tomorrow, my swe'
one. md we will confess all to Mrs. FIR;
ey ser. who will give us her help, 1 know
,er Heaven bless you, my desrest! Blei
ed and guard you"
Nv Audrey smiled through the tears this
-as would come, and then, turning ran fee
Id ly away.
Ire lack Glendurwood stood gazing tende
- II after her. all ignorant thnt stealth
,ar 6rure In the background was creepir
mo AFTER him as he walked through u
The lushes. A smile was lowering on his lii
he when suddenly above his head swung
The heavy, loaded stick, and az il came dow
rtv crash on his skull Jack gave sobbir
ore crv and fell insensible 70 the earth