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

arey Jack asked, harshly.
Sheila's eyes, shining hard and clear
through her mask, were going quickly
round. Where wss Alice Fairfax? She
should be at hand now to give the cue
for the last act in the comedy that for
two hearts this night would be bitter
tragedy
Before she had time to grow angry a
the owner gave a girlish giggle-
"Sheila, Is it you? Yes, | see Il is.
Such fun L have just seen the loveliest
bit OF spoozing you ever saw. That very
proper Lady John Glendurwood and
who do you think why, Beverley Roch-
fort! oh, l assure you they were going
on like anything They have gone to the
old summer house, and"
Sheila checked her accomplice with so
well-acted an air of anger as to astonish
Miss Fairfax.
alice, how dare you! What are you
saying, my dear child? You must not !;
it is very wrong!"
Miss Fairfax pretended to lose her tenn
per- Really she had been an invaluable
ally, and took as much delight in shar-
ing in this wicked plot as though she
were joining in TIE purest and best work
on earth
Il am only telling you the truth. II
you don't believe me, go and see for your
self /. for one, am not surprised, after
the way she has gone on tonight" and
with that Miss Fairfax founced her pink
domino out of sight.
Jack Glendurwood had made no sign !:
not even the smallest exclamation crossed
his lips. He stood erect and still, like
a statue of stone, as they were alone
again. Then suddenly he turned to
Sheila.
Where is this summer house she
speaks Of? Is it the old one know"
Sheila bit her lip. She had never heard
anything SO terrible as the sound of his
voice, the passionate constraint, the hol-
lowI,ss of acute misery.
'My dear Jack" she said. laughing
nervousi,, "you surely do not mean to say
you take any notice OF that foolish
girls"
Twill you answer me?" Jack replied,
ferceIy.
For one moment SheiIa's heart failed
her. She began to see her work in its
full vileness and sin. What IL she had
gone too far? What il he should muir
der Audrey when he saw her? There
was a sound In his voice that spoke of
rage urgovernable and mad pride.
DO not take any notice of such Cos
sip. Jack" she said hurriedly.
All the answer he gave was to begin
to walk out into the grounds, and Sheila.
ncrving herself for the last, threw herself
before him.
NO, Jack" she said in low, choked
tones, you shall not go,"
"What do you mean" His face. from
which he had torn away the mask, was
almost savage in its anger and horrible
fear do you know what you are say
ing? Why must / not go and seek my
wife! Am not the proper person to do
so? Answer me this, Sheila Fraser, why
do you stop me? Do you fear what 1
shall see and hear?"
YES" she said, swiftly. 81 fear-for
you, jack"
Then be assured, Sheila. I shall not
be harmed. Lead me to this summer
house, that 1 may know the worst"
SheiIa tried to look imploringly at him,
but he simply repeated the command,
and. turning at length she obeyed him.
When they were close to the small rustic
building she stopped.
go on alone" she said. and without
another word Jack strobe down the path.
With a gasp OF fear, Sheila followed
him. What would he do, what would
he do? Cold as ice, yet burning with
fever SO terrible that it almost choked
him, Jack passed down the path. His
brain was on FIRE.
Audrey was there-Audrey, his pure
love, his darling. his wife! On all sides
she had been discussed. none had spoken
kindly. What was this awful thing that
had come upon them?
As he reached the door of the summer
house he was trembling in every limb.
His lips ctened to call her name then
closed with fierce curse. Another man
was speaking it passionately, wildly.
Audrey. my love, my love. my darl-
ingl"
With his strong right hand Jack struck
hack the door and stood there, in the
dim light-a tall, avenging angel
Audrey. with one hand pressed against
the wall, was standing before him. At
her feet knelt Beverley Rochfort. clasp
ing the other hand, and kissing it as be
poured out his vows of love. As Jack
appeared before them, Audrey gave one
great cry.
Jack Jack! Thank heaven you have
come p
Beverley Rochfort rose to his feet
with low laugh. He was no coward.
like Sheila. He rather hoped there would
be some excitement now.
Jack was silent scarcely a moment
he never even glanced at the man; he
looked straight at his wife.
The carriage is waiting for you, Lady
sohn," be said in voice which Audrey
had never Ieard from his lips before; cit
Is time for you to return to your home"
Audrey looked at her husband out of
her great, blue eyes, all distraught as
they were. For the moment she had for
gotten his treachery at Joy in his coming.
Now, as with one heavy blow, it all re-
turned to her. The end had surely come
when he could speak to her like this,
and how terrible was the way in which
he stared at her. She had not strength
to move limb or utter q sound.
II request that you accompany me TO
the carriage at once" Jack said, this
time quite fiercely.
Audrey drew her domino about her.
Vaguely she felt that, bad as the horizon
OF her life had looked q short hour ago,
it was doubly worse now. She did not
comprehend Jacks manner, but it hurt
her to the quick. That he should speak
to her like this, and before that odious,
horrible man! She put out both her
hands. Fear Of Beverley drove away her
jealous pangs.
Yes, yes: take me home. 1 am ready
to go. 1 entreat you to take me-.
Jack stood on one side for her to pass,
and as he faced Beverley Rochfort alone
for an instant, he said. very quietly:
Either your life or mine answers for
this nights work You understand"
Perfectly" smiled Beverley, but he
frowned the next moment.
A duel! This was not what he had