The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-10-03
drey beyond description, , Oh. could

drey beyond description; she could not
have given the girl more love If she had
been her own child. They were quiet
days, and peaceful, and Audrey found
many little duties to perform which help
ed to make the hours fly. She was very
pale and delicate, but she refused to al
low Jean to consider her an invalid, and
was never weary of fitting about the
duchess, eager to do all and anything in
her power to alleviate the sorrow which
was depressing the mothers heart. The
only distraction was Willie Fullerton's
weekly visits, when his breezy, happy
manner seemed to change the very atmos-
phere.
Snow had fallen heavily and it lay ON
the ground during the whole month OF
January and onward, Hsspite this. how
ever, Audrey would persist in going out
as much as possible.
1T does me good" she said to Jean,
who was fearful OF every cold wind that
blew on her darling. Il must go, Jean.
II feel sometimes as if l should go
mad in the house"
She had this restless feeling on her one
afternoon toward the middle of February.
II shall walk into Mountberry. l want
to see Mrs. Thorngate--do you mind,
dcarest:" she asked the duchess, who sat,
half doing, half dreaming, by the fire.
take care of yourself, Audrey. Put
ON stout boots. This snow is so pene-
trating."
Audrey walked briskly over the snow,
a slender, graceful figure In her heavy,
black garments, her lovely face lovelier
than ever in its somber setting. She
was warmly greeted by DR.. Thorngate,
who was just leaving the vicarage as she
arrived. Audrey thought he looked worn
and troubled
MY wife will be rejoiced to see you"
he said, and his gaze followed the girlish
form in an affection that was deepened
only by admiration and respect.
Mrs. Thorngate was troubled, too and
though she welcomed Lady Iverne with
all her old love, she was not herself.
Audrey felt panied and full of sympathy.
81 am sure you would rather I did not
stay, dear Mrs. Thorngate," she said,
simply, rising and drawing on her wraps
again. "YOu have something on your
mind, and will be better alone"
Mr8. Thorngate's answer was to burst
into tears
MY heart is broken" she sobbed.
"Oh, Beverley. my boy, my boy And l
have loved you, honored you, believed in
you so much ~
Audrey knelt down by her friend.
Let me help you. Tell me ALL she,
begged, her own eyes growing dim and
misty with pity.
1t was a very brief story. Beverley
had written to his aunt that morning.
He was in a terrible predicament. Two
years back he had committed forgery out
in Africa; he had clevcrly escaped de-
lection, and had come to England. think
ing all danger gone. Unluckily for him,
his movements and real name had been
discovered he had been tracked. If the
money were not forthcoming in the 2cSt
twenty-four hours he would be handed
over to justice.
Audrey, what can 1 do? What can
l do? cannot sit here and know that
he, the boy l have loved. s condemned
to felan's cell. He has been my joy,
my one delight, and Gus refuses to let
me help him."
Audrey felt her heart beginning to
beat with sense Of pain and apprehen-
sion. TIE very mention of this mans
name fell like black shadow on her
heart. She trembled as she recalled all
the evil his cold-blooded treachery had
worked between herself and Jack the
memory of his passionate love words
raised blush of shame to her face even
now, but she put her own feelings on
one side to minister to Mrs. Thorngate's
sorrow.
"Will you let me take this off your
shoulders?" she asked. Hush: Not
word. We are friends, are wTNnot? Rest,
and be at peace, for by Gods will, I Will
save him from what you fear"
(To be continued.)