The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-09-12
CHApTER XXI

Sheila came out.
"I happened to call at Dinglewood for
q moment. / wanted to speak to Twist
about that horse he said he would buy
and found the fair Sheila with that Fair
fax girl and her Lancelot all ready to
atart off for ride. They proposed ac-
oompanying me, and l agreed, though l
osuld have done very we'll without them"
Audrey laughed as he related the re-
snlts Of the ride, and Jeans gray eyes
.giowed with triumph.
II wish l had told him what that
odious woman said," sic observed to
Audrey, when they were alone in the
drawing room; "he ought to know of her
fnsolence."
cit would only vex him, and don't
really mind" Audrey answered, though
zhe had been much hurt for the moment,
besides, 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 Craigiands,
greatly to Audrey's delight.
Nov, Jean, want you tn 30 very
nice to him he 10 a dear boy" she de-
sfared ~
the dear boy being a good five years
older than your ladyship," laughed Jean; {;
but she found il a 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
a very good foundation TO commence
wpan.
The week following Mr.. Fullertons
arrival was, to Jean rhwait's thinking,
the pIeasantest that bsd come since she
had left BroadboroGsh.
TO Audrey, it was q'7ietly happy; the
Dingiewood folk gave her little breath
ing space; Sheiia and Lady Daleswater
having spne up to town to arrange about
ehe masked ball, and she had her Jack
nearly all to herself, for Jean and Willie
Fullerton fra1crnized warmly, and were
much together. Audrey..s letters to her
uiother tha! week unconsciously betrayed
the fecliul; of her heart. She wrote free
", joyoosly, not in the strained fashion
that had seemed to hang about her of
hate, and Constance Fraser, away alone,
bearing her great sufferings with cour-
age and patiepce, rejoiced as she read.
Alas, How little did she think those
tsfters were the last happy ones Audrey
would write for many a long, weary day.
Jack, tco. tired out with perpetual ex
eites1ent 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 sCraiglands to
discuss all the arrangements with the
Giendurwoods. They found the four
young people out in the grounds playing
lawn tennis.
-I have come to ask Lady John what
xfe is going to wear at the ball. Oh,
know it is great secret, but I will be-
tray 1t to no one" Sheila said to Jack.
,zs they walked away, and then she tried
90 catch his eye as she gave a very palpa-
hle 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
sAeeny satins and held them forth for
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"
81 wish you would put it on: should
IKE TO gee it so much" Sheila next OBJ
EeTveG.
Lady Daleswater had not vouchsafed
&c come up and see the fnery, she was in
far TOO bad a temper.
AN artist from London II coming
down to sketch US all. He arrives to-
day. think he had better begin at
once. l wish you would allow him to
sketch yours, Lady John"
II shall be delighted" Audrey said,
cordially shall he come here or must
I go TO him?'
Sheila's cheeks were quite rosy.
@Oh, there is no need to trouble you.
Just send Murray over with it. She
wight 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
st, 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
ss the carriage disappeared, and they
rushed to finish their game.
at say, baby, here's BORE" Jack Glen
ssurwood said, as he entered Craiglands
st dinner time on the evening of Sheilas
hall. II can't so with you tonight, after
aH-''
~Oh. Jack ~ Audrey c!asped her hands
IN despair. II am disappointed. don't
ttink / shall go, then. What is the mat
terri
"Benson has telesraphed me he must
uee me at once on important blxiness /;