Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-04-11

belonging to the woman supposed to be
your mother were deposited in the care
of the matron, Miss Irons. | examined
these few poor thingS-an old satchel,
a Bible a 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 nay darling !"
she cried holding Audrey pressed close
to her. How can | ever describe the
exquisite JOY that came to me when l
knew what heaven had sent me-
seemed to live again--to grow, rs once
was, strong and full of courage hiss
me, my child. my baby! Kiss me, and
ler me hear you say you have forgiven
me for my cruel dcsertion of you
Forgiven you. Oh, my poor, dear,
sweet. new mother, don't say such
thing! When | remember how you must
have suffered, how cruel that wicked
man has been TO hide me from you all
these years, feel almost mad
That eventful night ended in more ex-
element. for the report spread to the
house of the discovery of Jack Glendur-
wood. insensibe and horribly wounded.
and in the tumult that ensued Shella
worked off some of her violent feelings.
She broke in abruptly upon the length
eped conference between Audrey and her
mother, and blurted out the news with
out any warming 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 childs face gave her
courage. AS though she had read it 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 sucn n,an can
have no enemies"
He has ben robbed of all the jewelry
and money he had onthat will be clew,"
Shela said apparently with Indifference,
but watching Audrey keenly as she spoke.
All at once she seemed to realize hat
things were not so bad for her. This
sudden illness of Lord Johns might,
after ALL prove a good friend to her.
At any rate. it would separate him
from Audrey. and that was a great deal.
She noticed with the keenest pleasure
the anguish that had dawned on the
young girls face. She must not let her
step-mother notice her hatred of the girl
that had stepped in between her and her
happiness.
But | am forgetting" she said, in
frank, pleasant manner. II have to offer
all sorts of congratulations to you. man.
ma. Why, it is like a fairy story. And
50 this pretty little girl is to be my
sister," She had come up to the slender
drawn-up figure I'VE must be good
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 deeply
touched and she trembled visibly.
Thank you, dear Sheiia,- was all she
said; but she gave the girl a look OF
unutterable gratitude. You have al
ways been kind to me. II should
lika to think you and my Audrey were
friends"
Sheila stood silent for moment, then
laughing softly, she pressed her lips TO
Audrey's cheek.
There, 1t is done. !" she said. And
now for the latest news of poor jack
Andrew had stood motonless all
through this little scene; but her mothers
hand felt the trembe that ran through
the young frame. She fathomed only too
we'll all that her child was suffering, AS
the door closed on Sheila, and they were
alone once more, she wrapped her arms
round the slight figure
MY darling" she said, in tones of the
deepest tenderness.
Audrey gave little cry, and turning,
clung to her new-found comforter and
protector.
"Oh. mother. mother" she whispered,
brokenly: "and II love him SO. What
shall | do if he dies?"
Then, with those loving arms still
about her, she wept out the story Of her
simple love. 1t was an old and new
story; and though her heart was torn
with anguish at this calamity that had
befallen her beloved. the girls sorrow was
ipexpressibly soothed by the remem-
brance that the heart she leaned on now
beat only for her, and would be hers
henceforth and to the end.
ITO be continued.l