The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-05-18

belonging to the woman supposed to be
your mother were deposited in the care
of the matron, Miss Irons. l examined
these few poor things-an old satchel.
Bible, bundle of old letters; and in
the satchel, hidden away in the lining,
we discovered the certificate of your birth,
together with the last letter Roderick
must have written to the woman before
she died. Oh, my darling! my darling"
she cried, holding Audrey pressed close
to her. How can / ever describe the
exquisite JOY that came to me when |
knew what heaven had sent me? l
seemed to live again-to grow, as | once
was, strong and full of courage. Kiss
me, my child, my baby. Kiss me. and
let me hear you say you have forgiven
me for my cruel desertion of you ~
Forgiven you. Oh, my poor. dear,
sweet, new mother, don't say such a
thing! When l remember how you must
have suffered, how cruel that wicked
man has been to hide me from you all
these years, l feel almost mad"
That eventful night ended in more ex-
citement, for the report spread to the
house of the discovery of Jack Glendur-
wood, insensible and horribly wounded,
and in the tumult that ensued Sheila
worked off some of her violent feelings.
I She broke in abruptly upon the length
eDed conference between Audrey and her
mother, and blurted out the news with
out any warning: bet her eyes glistened
gladly as she saw the color leave Audrey's
face and lips, and heard the moan that
came from the sorrow-stricken heart.
| Constance Fraser turned pale, too, but
the sight of her child's face gave her
courage AS though she had read 1t in
large letters, she knew the truth then.
1T may not be so bad, Sheila, These
things are always exaggerated" she said,
AS she put her hands tenderly on Au-
drey's shoulders. 1T seems to me in
credible that Jack should have been at
tackled like this Surely such man can
| have no enemies"
"He has ben robbed Of all the jewelry
and money he had onthat will be clew,"
Sheila said, apparently with Indifference,
but watching Audrey keenly as she spoke.
All at once she seemed to realize chat
things were not so bad for her. This
sudden illness of Lord Johns might
after all, prove good friend to her.
At any rate, it would separate him
from Audrey, and that was great deal
She noticed with the keenest pleasure
the anguish that had dawned on the
young girls face. She must not let hel
step-mother notice her hatred of the CIR
that had stepped in between her and heI
happiness.
But l am forgetting" she said, In q
a,Ir ,~Iao 10, nefa
all sorts of congratulations to you, nam
ma. Why, it is like fairy story. Ant
50 this pretty little girl is to be my
sister" She had come up to the slender
drawn-up figure. 1--WE must be goot
friends, you and l, Audrey" she said
gliblly. Let us seal that bargain with
a kiss"
Constance Fraser's delicate face flush
ed. This was not what she had expected
her generous, noble heart was deepl.
touched and she trembled visibly.
THANK you, dear Sheiia," was all sh
said; but she gave the girl look o
unutterable gratitude. You have al
ways been kind to me. IL shoul
lika to think you and my Audrey wer
friends"
Sheila stood silent for a moment, thei
laughing softly, she pressed her lips t
Audreys cheek.
There 1t Is done " she said. IAN
now for the latest news Of poor JACK.
Andrew had stood motionless a.
through this little scene but her mother
hand felt the tremble that ran throug
the young frame. She fathomed only to
well all that her child was suffering. A
the door closed on Sheila, and they wer
alone once more, she wrapped her arm
round the slight figure.
my darling !" she said, in tones of tn
deepest tenderness.
Audrey gave little cry, and turning
chung to her new-found comforter an
protector.
"Oh, mother, mother!" she whispered
brokenly; land IL love him so! Whs
shall | do If he dies?"
Then, with those loving arms sti
about her, she wept out the story Of he
simple love. 1t was an old and ne
story; and though her heart was tor
with anguish at this calamity that ha
befallen her beloved, the girls sorrow Wa
inexpressbly soothed by the remen
, brance that the heart she leaned on no
, beat only for her, and would be he
henceforth and to the end.
Ito be continued.)