Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-17

grounds. Jack felt that every scrap of
moral courage and worldly wisdom in
which he had been trying to Unfold him
self ever since that night IN the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow
ed himself to dwell much en- Audreys
beauty and unfathomable coarms, and
yet, despite himself. he hal done nothing
else but think OF her. AMI now, at this
first opportunity of being done with her,
he forgot the wide difference tnat lay be-
tween them; forgot all bus that he loved
her She was so young, so fresh, so
innocent; her beauty of mind was no less
than her loneliness Of lace ard form.
"Audrey.' he said. He put out both
his hands and held them toward her, the
muff dropped to the ground and her small
fingers nestle into his. Audrey" How
sweet her eyes were, how brilliant. He
shook off the intoxication that was steal
ing over him. My darling, my little
child he said. huskily.
She drew nearer to him aGd gave a lit
tie glad cry.
"Ah! You love me- she whispered,
you"
Yes, 1. my dearest, dearest one. Did
you not know it before, Audrey?"
Il knew you were my lriend," she fall
tered-for something in his eyes, bent on
her, made her heart beat and the blood
mount to her cheeks.
Friend and lover, aye, little one, your
lover till l die. Are you frightened,
Audrey"
She smiled timidly, and her head
dropped so that he had 20 catch her
whisper.
Not frightened. only happy"
With an exclamation or JOY he drew
her to him, folded his ms about her
and sought her lips.
He kissed her long and silently, hold
ing her small form close TO his heart
then he lifted his head and smiled down
at her.
Audrey, do you love -1e:"
She looked at him out of her blue eyes
There Seemed to be heaven itself mir
rored in their depths, but she made no
answer. Her speech was gone. she was
like one bewildered, yet SO very very
happy. No words could come, only as
he repeated his question she c.uns to him
with a passionate gesture and buried her
face on his rough coat. A clock Ginning
FIVE reused them.
Il must go." Audrey cried in surprise
and dismay.
Jack laughed at her eage-ress.
Never mind, we shall soon alter that.
young lady, when you belong to me al
together. What. you viii go? Well.
then, you must give ne another kiss
another! Oh, darling, darling How
h.,
shall come early tomorrow. nv sweet
one and we will confess all to Mrs. Fra
ser, who will give US her help, 1 know.
Heaven bless you, my dearest! Bless
and guard you"
Audrey smiled through tine tears that
would come, and then, turning, ran fleet
ly away.
Jack Glendu1wood stood gazing tender
L. after her. all ignorant tllat stealthy
figure in the background was creeping
after him as he walked through the
bushes. A smile was lowering On his Inns
when suddenly above his hesd swung a
heavy. loaded stick, and az il came down
crash on his skull Jack gave sobbing
cry and fell insensible 20 the earth.
II said I'd be even with you, nv
lord, and I've kept my woti," muttered
Henry Downs TO himself; then, with
many backward glances. he rided the coat
pockets of all they contained, sbuddered
as he saw the blood trickling down the
white, still face. and dived in among the
bushes and left his victim to his fate.
Mountberry rang with gossip the fol-
lowing day. Lord John Giendurwood
hrI
grounds, robbed and ha;f murdered, and
Audrey MaXse-a charity girl. who had
come to Dinglawood House as maid to
Miss Fraser-had turned out to be a
lady born, and none other than the daugh.
ter of Mrs. Fraser by a previous mar.
riage.
This extraordinary piece &C rews seem
ed to give good Mrs. ThoTngate unlimited
satisfaction. and she poured OFT the whole
story to her nephew as +hey sat together
in her cozy drawing room.
There was a smile and look of eager
ness on Beverley's handsome face as he
listened
All" he said to himself, nothing
could be better. l must see lose lawyer
chaps tomorrow, and red | think !
shall have everything cut and dried for
my plans. 1 don't think Lori Jack Glen
durwood will stand much chance against
me in the future. | hold trump cards,
and l mean to hold them. lie has kick
ed me into the dirt. and put his foot on
me. If he thinks 1 have forgotten that
he is mistaken. He loves this girl, but
he shall never marry her. ] love her.
how his dark eyes famed-'and l swear
she shall be my wife ~