The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-06-29
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Nv EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

years, perhaps forever. So after all,
Sheila had been partially successful, for
she had separated this man and wife.
It was deputed to Jean to tell Audrey
that her husband was gone, but she let
two days elapse before she preached the
subject of his name. The it Of weeping
had done good rather than harm.
IF only we had him here now, all
would be ~ right as ninepence." the
doctor had said to Jean on the morrow
following Jacks hurried departure.
But he is not here, and he will not
come, so we must think of what will be
best under the circumstances"
The young doctor had look Of warm
admiration for Jean. What courage, de-
termination and common sense she pos
sessed, and withal how large a heart
Certainly Willie Fullerton was to be en-
Wed!
Il am afraid she will fret when she is
told ALL" Jean added, thoughtfully "still
it is best all should be known. 1 shall
keep nothing from her, either now or in
the future" and so, when at last she
spoke of Jacks departure, Jean very
gently but thoroughly put all the facts
managed to CLEAN about the masked ball
and it's miserable results. She was shown
Murray's confession, signed and attested
by Sheila Fraser. She was given all the
information there was to give, and then
Jean very sensibly, and with more than
ordinary tact went softly away, and left
her alone to fight the battle out by her
self.
When they met again there were tear
stains on the girls white face, but she
was wonderfully quiet.
twill you send for Jacks mother,
please, Jean, and ask her to come home?
Now-now I am alone I should like her
advice. 1t Is only right and proper as
his wife should consult his mother"
Ten days later news came to Mount
| berry that Craiglands was preparing to
receive her grace of Marlborough, who
was returning with her son, Lord Iverne,
and her daughter-in-law, Lady John Glen
durwood, and, as may be supposed, the
village was greatly exercised in its mind
over this intelligence, having had its
curiosity whetted considerably by the
vague and unsatisfactory rumors that had
been circulated about the same said Lady
John.
Dinglewood House was shut up, and it
| was understood vaguely that Miss Fraser
was visiting, though where no one exact
| ly knew. It was generally voted annoy
| ing that Sheila should have been absent
| just now. She could have thrown light
on a good deal of what was perplexing
| and have, moreover, given the real &C
count of what had happened at the ball !;
whether it was true that Lady John had
firted and behaved 50 abominably, or
whether DR.. and Mrs. Thorngate were
correct in saying that somebody had imi-
tated her ladyship's domino, and cleverly
tricked the whole room of guests into
imagining that it was Lady John who 80
thoroughly disgraced herself and her hus-
bands name. Then Sheila, too, could
have given the exact history as to what
had occurred between Lord John and his
wife, and what was the meaning of all
the extraordinary rumors that had been
circulated.
| But Sheila was not on hand to be
questioned, and, in default of encourage
ment, it was really wonderful how soon
the excitement and curiosity began to
die away and how readily everybody grew
to consider Audrey as having been most
injured by the trick that had been so
wantonly played upon her. In fact, by
the time Christmas was due, Lady John
and her doings were theme too old to
be mentioned anywhere, and the affairs
at Craiglands would have been passed
over as almost Indifferent and uninterest-
ing, but that. just as the joybells were
proclaiming the birth of a new Christ
child, the icy fingers of the death angel
were laid upon the heart of Duncan, Mar
quis of Iverne, and he was taken from
his bed Of suffering to q reign Of peace
| and rest.