Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-03-07
CHAPTER XXI


a moment. | wanted to speak to Twist
about that horse he said he would buy,
and found the fair Shcla with that Fair
fax girl and her Lancelor all ready to
start of for ride They proposed ac-
campaigning me, and l agreed. though
could have done very well without them.
Audrey laughed as he related the re-
suits Of the ride, and Jeans gray eyes
glowod with triumph
Il wish l had told him what that
cdions woman said" she observed to
Audrey when they were alone in the
drawing room; he ought to know Of her
insolencc"
II would only vex him. and | don't
really mind" Audrey answered, though
she had been much hurt for the moment,
"besidcs it is all so vulgar and disagree
able. Why should We trouble about it?'
On the last day Of October Willie
Fullerton came down to Craiglands,
greatly to Audrey's delight.
Now. Jean. want you to be very
nice to him; he is a dear boy" she de-
cIared.
The dear boy being good five years
older than your ladyship." laughed Jean:
but she found it a very easy task to be
nice 70 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
Dinglewood folk gave her a 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 al to herself, for Jean and Willie
Fullerton fraternized warmly, and were
much together. Audrey's letters to her
mother that week unconscously 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 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 Daeswater returned to Dingle-
wood, and drove over to Craiglands to
discuss all the arrangements with the
GIendurwoods. They found the four
young people out in the grounds playing
lawn tennis.
81 have come to ask Lady John what
she is going to wear at the ball. Oh. |
know it is a great secret but | 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-namredly offered to show
her gown and domino to both Shcila and
Lady Daleswater. Jean Thwait had been
carefully excluded from the invitations.
Lovely! Beautiful! Exquisite -
cried Sheila. as Murray unfolded the
sheeny satins and held them forth for
inspection. And this is your domino.
Lady John"
BLACK and silver. 1t was Jacks idea.
Isn't il pretty? Look at the design over
the shoulders"
4 wish you would put it on; l should
like to see it so much" Sheila next OBJ
served.
Lady Daleswater had not vouchsafed
,,o,,,, -, ap1 coo tho finarU Sba yyaS in
far too bad a temper.
An artist from London is coming
down to sketch us all He arrives to-
day. / think he had better begin at
once. | wish you would allow him to
sketch yours, Lady John"
Il shall be delighted" Audrey said
cordially "Shall he come here or must
20 to him?'
Sheila's cheeks were quite rosy.
.'Oh. there is no need to trouble YOU
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
ii. 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
rs the carriage disappeared, and they
rushed 10 finish their game.
Il say, baby, here's a bore" Jack Glen
durwood said. as he entered Craiglands
ut dinner time on the evening of Sheila's
ball. Il can't so with you tonight, after
all"
'Oh, Jack" Audrey clasped her hands
think l shall go, then. What is the mat
teri"
Benson has telegraphed ne he must
see me at once on important business
something gone wrong with the election
l suppose. I'll get back as quickly as
possible. and come on to you if l can"
Your dress looks 50 lovely. You
would make such an exquisite Black
Brunswicker. Jack"
WELL" laughed Jack. kissing her. 81
will try and get into my fine toys; al
least, il l cannot manage the BLACK
Brunswicker, / will don my gray domino
You viii be able to pick me out, won't
YOU. fairy. even though am masked?"
And You me-" Audrey added. Don
forget 10 look for the black and silver
Jack"
Dinner was hurriedly eaten, and Jear
Was much grieved for Audrey's sake tina
Lord John could not accompany her
After Jack had driven away, the two
girls mounted up to Audrey's pretty bed
room.
You must be my maid tonight. Jean,
she said, as they sat before the FIRE fol
few moments
Why, where is Murray"
oh, she was very rude and I was
obliged to send her away Audrey an
swered, shade falling on her face
There have been great many com
plants about her downstairs
Il hope you told Lord John, Audrey,
she said. No? My dearest. believe me
you are wrong-this perpetual attacking
of you Believe me- if it were one
known that your husband had put hi
foot down. you would find Dinglewoo'
uauSa vyould learn how 10 behave itself