Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-31
CHAPTER Y.

IF | can just drop a few hints, and so
prejudice her against that girl, not all
Mrs. Fraser's sweetness, or her daugn-
ter's artfulness, will have much avail.
am a rich woman. | never felt so glad
of my money before
She had diverged little from the or
binary route to Craiglands, because there
was better road by so doing, and as
she trotted along feetly, she suddenly
came upon a dog cart, in which was seat
ed Beverley Rochfort, looking wonderful
ly handsome in his fur-lined coat.
Miss Fraser, this is an unexpected
pleasure" ne said, as he lifted his nat
and motioned the groom to take the relns.
You are out early"
Il am going to Craiglands, to make IN
quiries," she said CURLY.
Beverley only smiled, but she saw at
once that he attached a good deal OF
meaning to this hasty ride. He got
down from the cart.
Drive up and down until | am ready.
Jones'" he commanded. as he walked up
to Sheila's horse and stroked the smooth
neck. is there. then, so much cause
for anxiety" he asked. Are you nerv-
Gus about Lord John, Miss Fraser"
Sheila pursed her lips. She resented
his manner. and she did not quite under
stand it, either.
Il feel that it would be altogether a
pleasant and a wise arrangement II you
and | called ourselves friends" Beverley
said, after a slight pause. We have SO
much in common"
Il don't think I understand you,
Sheila was startled into saying.
Il must try and explain myself clear
~ | know the reason of your hurried
visit to Craiglands. 1t is not sympathy
that takes you there. but something more
akin to self-interest. Oh! do not be
angry, there is no occasion, for, my very
dear young lady, l think you are perfect
ly right. You see, although | do not
credit you with any great amount of
sympathy / have plenty myself. Be
lieve me, | am quite sincere. just now,
Beverley went on, Il said | thought it
would be not only a pleasant, but wise
thing for you and | to become friends.
Union is strength, you know, Miss Fra
ser good old maxim"
Don't you think you had better leave
conundrums alone, and speak out
straight, Mr.. Rochfort?'
Il WILL" he answered, quietly. "Sheila.
we are both persons of determination and
ambition. My ambition takes one form,
yours another but on one point we are
alike-we would sacrifice much to gain
our ends would we not!"
Sheila's cold gray eyes flashed as she
nodded her head.
You hate the girl; | hate him! You
are determined that John Glendurwood
shall make you his wife: | am as equal
ly determined l shall make her mine. Ar
rived so far. the rest should be easy"
Sheila drew a sharp breath. She loath-
ed him for his shrewdness in having read
her mind so clearly, but his words had
brought a new aspect altogether.
1T is for you to suggest" she said
speaking swiftly and in low tones. "As
you said just now, union is strength
and So"
$50 you agree to be friends eh?' Bev-
srley smiled
He had never had the smallest fear of
failing. He had not watched Sheila so
carefully these past days for nothing. He
held out his hand as he spoke and Sheila
put hers into it.
Have you any plans?" she asked, alb
ruptly She was no longer so eager to
be gone. One glimpse at this mans smil-
ing. handsome evil face told her that he
would do all he wished. Even in the
midst of the satisfaction that came with
rush, she could not repress a feeling
of jealousy and envy that he should love
Audrey and be Indifferent to her. Sheila.
Il will tell you more when l return
from London. My journey there is not
wholly unconnected with this matter.
And now, l think l must say 'Au revoir'
/ sincerely trust you will find Lord John
not so bad as rumor reports. Carry my
sympathy and regards to her new grace
she is a charming woman, and will make
an altogether excellent mother-in-law."
Sheila smiled mechanically, and gath
ering up her reins, she rode on. She
gave a sort of shudder as she went, and
the memory of Beverley's dark. glittering
eyes fingered with her. She felt, some
| how, SO powerless when she was with
him
Sheila always felt thrill at her heart
as she rode or drove up to Craiglands.
Now as she passed up the avenue and
drew rein at the covered doorway, a man
with powdered hair and grave face came
forward TO meet her.
Her graee's love, miss, and she begs
you will excuse her this morning: she
does not feel equal TO leaving his lord
ships room. She begs. also. to thank you.
miss. for having taken the trouble to
ride over and make inqur les
nr ,,J-
danger?" she asked, and there was gen
uine anxiety in her voice.
"Dr. Sentance considers his lordship's
condition very serious" replied the ser
want.
Sheila rode back to Dinglewood cross
and anxious. She met DR.. Sentance COM
ing down the avenue, and stopped to ques-
ton him.
The poor fellow has not recovered
consciousness yet" the medical man an
swered. Il have telegraphed up for Raw
sor and Locksley. Miss Fraser, it is
horrible, a dastardly affair, and for the
| life of me l can't understand it. Lord
Glendurwood never seemed to have an
enemy in the world but upon my word
this looks to me like malicious attack.
| in his pockets. OF course, his watch
was valuable. But who on earth is there
about here who could have borne him a
grudge for anything he has ever done and
said? l suppose you have sent for fur
Their police assistance. Miss Fraser?" he
went on.
| Sheiia confessed she had not even
thought of it.
| Are not the Mountberry men suff-
cient?' she asked
This is pre-eminently a case for an
astute detective" he said land l should
| telegraph up at once to Scotland Yard,
| If | were you. As the affair happened in
| your grounds, of course. it would be
| pleasanter for you TO have it sifted thor
oughly."
You are quite right Sheila said,
warmly, although she could have struck
him with her whip for daring to dictate
to her. Il will send up to London at
once
As she said this. the thought of Bever-
ley Rochfort came into her mind, and ell
ar npaa Sba determined 70 lear hiS Cd