Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER xxx.

Mrs. Thorngate caught at the girls
hand and would have spoken, but Au-
drey swiftly loosened her hold, gave her
one smile, and then was gone, leaving
only the fragrant scent of her garments
and the divine elements Of peace and
gratitude behind her.
Quickly as she walked, Audrey was
some time before she reached Craiglands
She turned to the stables frst, and gave
orders that her small brougham should
be prepared at once. Then she quietly
entered the house and went to her own
room. Eliza was there, arranging her
simple dinner toilet Audrey told her
she was going out again at once.
Tell Miss Thwait not to be alarmed;
I shall be home in an hour" she said.
Her sight was blurred and misty as
she opened her jewel case and took out
a packet of notes-bank notes forwarded
to her by Mr.. Sampson duly according to
Jacks written orders, and never touched.
Andrew secured the notes in an envel-
ope, put them into her muff and, leaving
her room, went very quietly down the
way she had come, just as Jean, her
cheeks flushed as with some exceeding and
great JOY, ran once more into Audrey's
chamber to find her and bid her come
down as soon as possible.
Eliza repeated the message she had
been given and Jeans face fell. while
something of alarm came into her ex-
preston.
Can she know, and have gone away to
escape" Her murmur was untln-
ished, for as she came out Of the room
an eager hand caught hers and an almost
choked voice muttered:
Well does she know-ny darling|
Audrey has gone out again, Lord
Iverne. Her maid says she has this in
slant gone out. II don't understand"
Jacks hand dropped from its hold.
Il do" he said. with a bitterness pass
ing all words She has heard of my sud
den arrival, and she has gone away to
avoid me. Will she never forgive me-?
"Oh, this is nonsense! You are nerv-
GUS" Jean was beginning, when Jack
broke in iercely:
But she shall not go. She is my wife,
bound to me by her own words and VOW
| have wronged her, but l have repent
ed. heaven knows She shall hear me !!
/ will follow. She cannot have gone far.
Forgive me, Miss Thwait, if | am rude or
unkind, but my case is desperate. How
do we know she is not running away
again? No; must not stay here pratt
ing; l must follow her, and 1 will ="
He turned away, but looked back, implor-
ingly. Keep my mother in ignorance till
till you hear from me-"
Jean had no time to utter protest or
remark, for he was gone. Down the
10 rcnd r.
race in his boyish days, Jack rushed,
his bronzed, handsome face pale with agi-
tation, longing and apprehension, ard
as he came to the entrance he caught a
CLEAN of carriage lamps disappearing in
the distance.
(Which way did her ladyship go?" he
asked Martin, CURLY.
Il heard her say to the edge of the
Dinglewood grounds, my lord, and then
to wait for her there
Martin looked troubled me did not
know what to make Of all that had hap
pened of late.
Jack pushed his hat over his eyes. and
without another word strobe out into the
snow and darkness. His bran was reel
ing he scarcely knew what thoughts fill
ed his mind, save that beyond, in the dis
tance was Audrey, his lovely girlwife,
whom for a brief time he had doubted
but who now shone forth with even
stronger rays as a jewel above price
And she would not see him She shun'
ned him She would not forgive.
The brougham rolled slowly on; the
man stole rapidly behind it. At last
they reached a spot Mrs. Thorngate had
described to Audrey as Rochfort's hiding
place Audrey stopped the carriage and
got out.
Jacks heart throbbed with love and
agitation as he caught a glimpse of hei
lovely face beneath the light Of a lamp
She was speaking to the coachman. but
he could not hear what she said. Their
she turned and walked into the grounds
Jack quickened his steps and followed
her: sense of uneasiness came upor
him. What was she doing here? Sh,
reached a path Mrs. Thorngate had spok
en- of Here she stopped. Jack stood
still also. He was about a dozen yard:
from her. but he had drawn into tht
shade. and could not be seen.