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

ly since he discovered that her money
would never be shared by him.
"Glendurwood has good taste" he said,
curtly, with a disagreeable smile.
Il always knew that girl vas no good y
she exclaimed angriy. What business
has she to talk to-my-our guests in
this way? 1t is disgraceiul!'
you should blame the guests, not
her. Glendurwood sought her deliberate
ly that l can vouch for myself. She
is very beautiful"
II do not care to discuss the appear
ance of my servants Mr.. Rochfcrt," was
SEeila's spiteful remark.
No, nor any other person, servant or
no servant, when they have face like
this girl thought Beverley 10 himself.
Jack was only asking after Mrs. Fra
ser, but he made no haste 10 join the
others when he had received an answer.
Instead, he turned and walked beside the
girl as she moved onward.
Have you nothing to say, Audrey?'
he asked, after long pNuse.
She looked at him in shy, STARTLED
yet inexpressibly sweet way.
Il don't know, my lord, she said
timidly.
They were going away from the beaten
track into a lonely and wilcr bit of the
grounds. Jack felt that every scrap of
moral courage and worldly wisdom in
which he had been trying to infold him
self ever since that night in the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow.
ed himself to dwell much On Audrey 3
beauty and unfat thomaba c1arms, and
yet, despite himself, he hal done nothing
else but think of her, AMI nuw, at this
first opportunity of being alone with her,
he forgot the wide difference mat lay be-
tween them forgot all but that he loved
innocent; her beauty of mind was no less
than her loveiness of face ltd form.
Audrey ~ he said. He put out both
his hands and held them toward her, the
muff dropped to the ground and her small
fingers nestle into his. audrey !" How
sweet her eyes were, how brilliant. . He
shook off the intoxication that was steal
ing over him. My darling, my little
~ he said, huskily.
She drew nearer to him and gave a lit
tie glad cry
"Ah. You love me- she whispered,
you ~
Yes, I, my dearest, dearest one. Did
you not know it before, Audrey?"
Il knew you were my iriend," she fall
tered-for something in his eyes, bent on
her, made her heart beat and the blood
mount to her cheeks.
Friend and lover, aye, little one, your
lover till l die. Are you frightened,
Audrey?"
She smiled timidly, and her head
dropped SO that he had 70 catch her
whisper.
Not frightened, only happy
With an exclamation or JOY he drew
her to him. folded his a ms about her
and sought her lips.
He kissed her long and silently, hold
ing her small form close to his heart
then he lifted his head and smiled down
at her.
Audrey. do you love me-"
She looked at him out Of npr blue eyes
There seemed to be heaven Itself mir
rored in their depths, but ste made no
answer. Her speech was gone she was
like one bewildered, yet so very. very
happy. No words could come, only as
he repeated his question she c.ung to him
with a passionate gesture and buried her
face on his rough coat. A clock Ginning
five reused them.
Il must go.'' Audrey cried in surprise
and dismay.
Jack laughed at her eagArness.
Never mind we shall soon alter that.
young lady, when you belong to me al
then. you must give ne another kiss
another Oh, darling, darliag. How
have | lived without you so long?
shall come early tomorrow, my sweet
one, and we will confess ell to Mrs. Fra
ser, who will give us her help. | know
Heaven bless you, my de9reSt. Bless
and guard you.'
Audrey smiled through Inc tears that
would come, and then, turning, ran fleet
ly away.
Jack Glendurwood stood gazing tender
l. after her, all ignorant that d stealthy
figure in the background vas creeping
after him as he walked through the
bushes. smile was lowering on his lips
when suddenly above his head swung a
heavy, loaded stick, and AZ il came down
crash on his skull Jack gave sobbing
cry and fell nsensible 20 the earth.
II said I'd be even with you. my
lord, and I've kept my wOrd,' muttered
Henry Downs to himself; then, with
many backward glances, he riaed the coat
pockets of all they contained, sbuddered
as he saw the blood tricklng down the
white, still face and dived in among the
bushes and left his victim to his fate.
Mountberry rang with gossip the fol-
lowing day. Lord John Giendurwood
had been found in the Dinglewood
grounds, robbed and ha'f mul dered. and
Audrey Maxse-a charity girl. who had
come to Dinglewood House as maid to
Miss Fraser-had turned out to be a
lady born, and none other than the daugh.
ter of Mrs. Fraser by a previous mar.
riage.
This extraordinary piece OF news SEEM
ed to give good Mrs. Thorngate unlimited
satisfaction, and she poured ont the whOle
story to her nephew as hey sat together |
in her cozy drawing room.
There was a smile and look of eager |
ness on Beverley's handsome face as he
listened.
"Ah." he said to himself, nothing |
could be better. / must see EOse lawyer |
chaps tomorrow, and 'nel | think ! !
shall have everything cut and dried for
my plans / don't think Lord Jack Glen |
durwood will stand much chance against |
me in the future. / hold trump cards.