The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-07-06

CHAPTER XIII.

0uuey gave lnat cry and turned,
Sheila Fraser and the man with her
looked keenly after her.
Quick" Sheila muttered, hoarsely.
She has seen, she believes it all! Make
haste, 60 after her. You must stop her
In case he has come and she should meet
him! Quick Give me that domino l
can hide it under minev
Beverley Rochfort-for 1t was he
hurriedly threw off the gray cloak, and
without word strobe after Audrey.
1t was against Beverley Rochfort's
form that she stumbled in her blindness
and weakness, and in his arms she rested
as she lay insensible. Beverley paused
only for a moment, then glancing to right
and left he picked up his burden and
went quickly through the trees to the rus
tic house near where Audrey had seen
what she supposed to be her husband
clasping Sheila Fraser in his arms.
Reaching this, Beverley removed the
mask from the lovely face that was white
and cold, as though death itself was print
ed on it, placed the girls senseless form
In one of the long, cushioned garden
chairs, and then stood with folded arms
surveying her.
After tonight your pride will be
humbled," he said to himself, "and that
husband Of yours will find out what it
Ii to have made an enemy of me-"
Then, STOPPING, he kissed Audrey's I'M
conscious lips passionately, fercely, many
times; but so deep and swift had been
the blow struck to her young heart that
not even at this degradation did nature
awake to protect and repel.
ut must be time now" he muttered,
and he laughed softly to himself as he
closed the door of the garden house and
turned the key in the lock.
II have you safe now, my lady ~ he
said, as he put the key in a pocket of
his domino and hurried away.
He had not gone far into the crowd
of dancers and promenaders before he be-
came aware of a form close beyond him
which, il he had not known so well to
the contrary, he could have sworn was
Audrey herself. There was the black
and silver domino, the white satin skirts
peeping below, and the dainty black lace
mask; the hood arranged exactly as Au-
drey's had been.
1T is excellent, upon my word. Sheila
Is clever when she likes to be-" he said
to himself with much elaboration.
He was standing close beside Lady
Daleswater; he knew her by her hard
mouth and chin, even If Sheila had not
carefully taught him all the colors of the
dominoes who were necessary to the little
drama they were enacting tonight. With
Gladys, there were Mrs. Fairfax and sew
eral women whom he knew were all jeal-
Gus and envious of Audrey-enemies, ev-
cry one. He moved up to Mrs. Fairfax.
"Can you tell me who that black and
silver domino is /" he asked, sinking his
voice.
"Oh, that is Lady John Glendurwood.
She seems to be enjoying herself, does
she not?"
"She does indeed" Beverley answered.
Behind his mask he frowned. This
supposititious Audrey was acting little
too much, in his opinion, flirting and
laughing in the most outrageous manner.
"Sheila must give her a hint, she
mustn't stay too long. Glendurwood
might arrive at any moment"
Fortunately for him, Sheila came up
to him then, and she readily saw the
wisdom of his words.
Going up to the woman disguised as
Audrey, who was none other than Muir
ray, the discharged lady's maid, she made
some sort of excuse and walked away
with her and her parner just as Jack
Glendurwood, In his gray domino and
mask, came up to where his sister was
standing.
"Halloo, Gladys" he said. laughingly
NG.raSsod asl ~
Where's Audreyw
"Your wife is just leaving the ball room
with Miss Fraser"
Jack glanced down to the other end
and just caught glimpse of black and
silver domino leaning rather heavily on
the arm of some man.
"Who Is the man, I wonderf he
thought to himself, and he was just rush
Ing off after them when Lady Dales
water stopped him.
Jack, give me your arm: this room |.
30 hot, and--I want to speak to YOU"
Lady Daleswater was unconsciousl,
aiding Sheila's drama, though, apart
from her own desire to speak out strong
ly on Audrey's extraordinary behavior
Miss Fraser had asked her to keep hel
brother engaged as long as she coult
when he arrived. With grimace Jacl
agreed.
1T Is rather hot and am not In tn,
best of tempers," he said, frankly. "a
have driven all the way to Beignton ant
back to see Benson, and then found tina
there was mistake-he had gone to Lon
don. His secretary swore that no tele
gram had been sent to me; but, Of course
he had to change his tune when pulle,
1t out of my pocket and showed the mes
sage to him. Then he wanted to say /
was some hoax; but who on earth woul,
want to hoax mef'
"Strange things happen sometimes,
Lady Daleswater said, CURLY.
Yes, and from all accounts they han
pen sometimes at masked balls" laughe,
Jack. Even the short time have beef
here have heard nothing. but GOSSIP
about the way some woman has been be
having, quite scandalizing the old ladie
by her outrageous flirting. Have yo
seen her, Gladysf Do you know herT
Lady Daleswater removed her mas
with jerk, and then stared straight int
her brothers eyes.
"Yes, have seen her, and do kno,
her." she said, very slowly. ITO my ur