The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-06-08
CHAPTER XXI.

81 happened to call at Dinglewood for
a moment. I wanted to speak to IWlst
about that horse he said he would buy,
and found the fair Sheila with that Fair
fax girl and her Lancelot all ready to
start off for a ride. They proposed &C
companying me, and / agreed, though
could have done very we'll without them"
Audrey laughed as he related the re-
suits of the ride, and Jeans gray eyes
glowed with triumph.
Il wish / had told him what that
odious woman said," she observed TO
Audrey. when they were alone IN the
drawing room; 'he ought to know OF her
insolence."
1T would only vex him, and l don't
really mind" Audrey answered, though
she had been much hurt for the moment,
besides. it is all so vulgar and disagree
able. Why should we trouble about IL!
On the last day of October Whine
Fullerton came down to Craiglands'
greatly to Audrey's delight.
"Now, Jean, 1 want you to be very
nice to him; he is a dear boy" she de-
clared.
THE dear boy being good five years
older than your ladyship," laughed Jean;
but she found it very easy task to be
nice to Willie Fullerton.
His open admiration for Audrey won
her heart, and she felt that before long
this pleasant young Englishman and her
self would be good friends. To begin
with, they both cordially detested Mrs.
Fairfax and her daughter, and that was
very good foundation to commence
upon.
The week following Mr.. Fullerton's
arrival was, to Jean Thwait's thinking,
the pleasantest that had come since she
had left Broadborough.
To Audrey, it was quietly happy; the
Dingewood folk gave her little breath
ing space; Sheila and Lady Daleswater
having gone up to town to arrange about
the masked ball. and she had her Jack
nearly all to herself, for Jean and Willie
Fullerton fraternized warmly, and were
much together. Audrey's letters to her
mother that week unconsciOusly betrayed
the feeling of her heart. She wrote free
ly, joyously, not in the strained fashion
that had seemed to hang about her OF
late and Constance Fraser, away alone,
bearing her great sufferings with cour-
age and patience, rejoiced as she read.
Alas How little did she think those
letters were the last happy ones Audrey
would write for many a long, weary day.
Jack, too tired out with perpetual ex-
citement and worry, basked in the sun
shine of his girl-wife's love, and reveled
in the gladness her presence gave him.
Two days before the masked ball Sheila
and Lady Daleswater returned to Dingle-
wood, and drove over to Craiglands to
discuss all the arrangements with the
Glendurwoods. They found the four
young people out in the grounds playing
lawn tennis.
II have come to ask Lady John what
she is going to wear at the ball. Oh, l
know it is a great secret, but l will be-
tray it to no one," Sheila said to Jack,
as they walked away, and then she tried
to catch his eye as she gave very palpa-
BILE sigh.
Audrey good-naturedly offered to show
her gown and domino to both Sheila and
Lady Daleswater. Jean Thwait had been
carefully excluded from the invitations.
Lovely! Beautiful! Exquisite ="
cried Sheila. as Murray unfolded the
inspection. And this is your domino,
Lady John?
BLACK and silver. 1t was Jacks idea.
Isn't it pretty? Look at the design over
the shoulders"
Il wish you would put it on; should
like to see it so MUCH" Sheila next OBJ
served.
Lady Daleswater had not vouchsafed
to come up and see the finery, she was in
far too bad temper.
IAN artist from London is coming
down to sketch us all. He arrives to-
day. 1 think he had better begin at
once. l wish you would allow him to
sketch yours, Lady John"
Il shall be delighted" Audrey said,
cordially. "Shall he come here or must
/ go to him?"
Sheila's cheeks were quite rosy.
"Oh, there is no need to trouble Won.
Just send Murray over with it. She
might drive back with US if you can
spare her.
Audrey, only too glad to find Sheila
speaking so pleasantly, agreed at once,
and SO, when the Dinglewood carriage
drove away, Lady Johns maid rode in
1t, carefully guarding the box containing
the black and silver domino
Audrey meant to have told Jean about
this, but all ideas went out of her head
as the carriage disappeared, and thew
rushed to finish their game.
-
Il say, baby, here's bore" Jack Glen
durwood said, as he entered Craiglands
at dinner time on the evening of Sbe;la,s
ball. Il can't 60 with you tonight, after
ALL"
'Oh, Jack" Audrey clasped her hands
in despair. II am disappointed. I don't
think shall 60, then. What is the mat.
teri"
Benson has telegraphed me he must
see me ut once on important business
something gone wrong with the election
suppose. I'll get back as quickly a.
possible. and come on to you if can"
"Your dress looks 30 lovely. You
would make such an exquisite Black
Brunswicker, Jack"
We'll" laughed Jack, kissing her. "r
win try and get into my fine toes: At
least, II I cannot manage the Black