The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-05-23

CHAPTER XyIII.
By EFFIE a. EeOWLANDS

Sheila Fraser and the man with her
looked keenly after her.
Quick, Sheila muttered, hoarsely.
She has seen, she believes it all. Make
haste, go after her. You must stop her
In case he has come and she should meet
him! Quick! Give me that domino! /
can hide it under mine :"
Beverley Rochfort-for it was he
hurriedly threw OF the gray cloak. and
without a word strobe after Audrey
1t was against Beverley Rochforts
form that she stumbled in her blindness
and weakness, and in his arms she rested
as she lay insensible. Beverley paused
only for moment. then CHANGING 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 Do her husband
clssping Sheila Fraser in his arms.
Reaching this, Beverley removed the
mssk from the lovely face that was white
ana aid. as though death itself was print
ed - il, 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," be said to himself. sand that
husband of yours viii find out what 1t
h to have made an enemy of me-"
Then. stopping, be 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 Gid nature
awake to protect and repel.
TT 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.
Il 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 p-omenaders before he be-
ca1e aware of a form close beyond him
which, if 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 deliberstion.
He was standing close beside Lady
Daleswater: he knew her by her hard
mouth and chin, even IL Sheila had not
carefully taught him all the colors of the
dominoes who were necessary to the little
drama they were enactins tonight. With
Gladys, there were Mrs. Fairfax and sew
erai women whom lie knew were all jeal-
Gus and envious of Audrey-enemies, ev-
cry one. he moved up to Mrs. Fairfax.
"Caz you tell me who that black and
silver domino Isl" he asked, sinking his
voice.
-Oh, that is Lady John G,endurwood.
She seems to be enjoying herself. does
abe 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 hint. she
mustn't stay too long. Glendurwood
might arrive at any moment
Fortunately for him. Sheila came up
- him then, and she readily saw tie
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, Gladysr' he said, laughinsly.
Guessed you easily enough, you see.
Where's AudrcyYv
Your wife is just leaving the ball room
with Miss Eraser"
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 t,e man. wonder?o he
thought to hirself, and he was just rush
ing OF aftei them when Lady Dales-
water stopped him.
Jack, give me your arm: this room Is
90 hot. and--I want to speak to you"
Lady Daleswater was unconsciously
aiding Sheila's drama. though. apart
from her own desire to speak out strong
~ on Audrey's extraordinary behavior
Miss Fraser had asked her to keep her
BROKER engaged sa long as she could
when he arrived With q grirnace Jack
agreed.
II is rather hot: and am not in the
best OF tcm2ers," he said, frankly. II
have driven all the way to Beignton and
back to see Benson, aud then found that
there was misrake-he had gone to Lon
don- His secretary swore that no tele-
gEs.n had beea sent to me; but, of course
he had to change his tune when / pulled
IL out ss my pocket and showed the mes
sage TO him. Then he wanted to say II
was some hoax; but who on earth would
want 20 hoax meg
Strange things happen sometimes /,
Lady Dsleswater said, CURLY
Yes, and from all accounts they han
pen sometimes at masked balls" laughed
Jack Even the short time have been
here have heard nothing but gossip
about the way some woman has been be-
having. quite scandaIizing the old ladies'
by her outrageous flirting. Have you
seen her, Gladys? Do you know herr"
Lady Daleswater removed her mask
with jerk, and then stared straight into
her brothers eyes,
Yes. I have seen her, and do know
her." she said, very slowly. "To my un-
utterabIc shame 1 say it. Jack, for that
woman was none other than your wife"
"Vhat!' Jack recoiled as though he
had been struck. then rearing his head
proudly, How dare you say any such
ching, Gladys? How dare you throw
shame and discredit on a pure, sweet girl
who has never done you a moments harm.
who has nothing but good, gentle thoughts
for you and yours? How dare you:"
Because it is the truth. Yes, the
truth repeated the countess, curtly.
Had you bsen here but few moments
ago you would have seen her with Jour
own eyes, Fou would not have given me
the lie in this way I say again, Jack
that IT IS your wifa who has disgraeed
herself ard Us tk:s night, who has made
herself tie gossip ind .he scandal Of the
place foe months 20 come
"Gladyz wiz pot listen to you"
Jack had torn cf biz mas.. his face had
-