Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-03-14

CHAPTER XNIII

haste, 90 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 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
IS she lay insensblc. 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
Tie 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, land that
husband of yours will find out what it
is to have made an enemy of me-"
Then, STOPPING, he kissed Audreys 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.
1T 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 o. 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 promenaders before he be-
came aware of a form close beyond him
which, if he had not known so we'll 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 delberation.
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 ISL" 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
Cupposititions Audrey was acting a 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
olSHOul NoOd, III Ills gray ana
mask, came up to where his sister was
standing
'Haloo, Gladys!' he said, laughingly.
Guessed you easily enough, you see.
Where's Audrey?"
Your wife is just leaving the ball room
with Miss Fraser"
Jack glanced down to the other end,
and Just caught Il glimpse of a black and
silver domino leaning rather heavily on
the arm of some man.
who is the man, l wonder?' 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 is
SO hot, and want to speak to you"
Lady Daleswater was unconsciousIy
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 her
brother engaged as long as she could
when he arrived. With a grimace Jack
agreed.
1T is rather hot; and I am not in the
best of tempers," he said, frankly. Il
have driven all the way to Beignton and
back to see Benson, and then found that
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 l pulled
1t out of my pocket and showed the mes
sage to him Then he wanted to saw il
was some hoax; but who on earth would
want to hoax me?"
Strange things happen sometimes. y
al 00l of.,,-
Yes. and from all accounts thev han
pen sometimes at masked balls" laughed
Jack. Even the short time l have been
here l have heard nothing but gossip
about the way some woman has been be-
having, quite scandalizing the old ladies
by her outrageous flirting Have YOU
seen her. Gladys? Do you know her?'
Lady Daleswater removed her mask
with jerk, and then stared straight into
her brothers eyes.
Yes, l have seen her. and do know
her" she said, very slowly. TO my un
utterable shame / say it. Jack, for thai
woman was none other than your wife.
WHAT" JACK recoiled as though hC
had been struck. then rearing his heaC
proudly, How dare you say any sucl
thing, Gladys? How dare you throw
shame and discredit on a pure, sweet CIR
who has never done you a moments harm
who has nothing but good, gentle thought.
for you and yours? How dare you:"
Because it is the truth, Yes, tht
TRUTH" repeated the countess, CURLY
Had you been here but few moments
ago You would have seen her with you
own eyes You would not have given m,
the lie in this way! l say again. Jack
that it is your wife who has disgracet
herself and us this night, who has mad
herself the gossip and the scandal of tn
place for months TO come
Gladys, l will not listen to you.
Jack had torn off his mask; his face ha,
grown as white as ashes. From to
night, though you are my sister, | vii
never speak to you again for traducin
my wife's name. thought you hard ant
c1Tlel, but / thought also that, with al
your faults, you had an honorable ma