Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-09-25
CHAPTER XIII,

&AoNASJ VIVIAN ACVeE AOAkSt to&I BC8u0s
Her mother had come back from Craig
lands deeply moved and agitated: and The
girls great, sorrowful eyes had asked the
question her frozen lips could not frame.
Constance Fraser lad drawn the slen.
der form to her arms without . word at
arst. Words indeed, were net easy. 1t
was . strange thing that had happened,
her brain reeled every now and then a
1t oil came back to her. Constance Fra
ser kissed the sweet, suive1ins lips
Jack wants yen; hs wants yea -
stay with him alwayA Dc you under.
stand me, my darling7"
HE wants ne t. nurse hinr Au-
ORGY said simply, her every limb culver
ing with sassrnsss - - sens.
"Ts nurse, csmfsrt and lsve hin r.
The mothers hand st1skel hack ~ ssft
lscka "Audrsy, h has asked Ne to give
yen to him, - his wife"
A Assd II color burned u sacA pale
cheek, and tssn the girl paled ashen
white again.
As his wife7" he repeated, siswly;
and thea. moro quickly, "Does h want
ne nswT'
an WV - SvCSy o1NAuBSnc1t C3u D
made, my own dearest. Does this fright
en- you, Audreyf'
"Ns." she said, almost inaudibly. "If
he wishes It, that h right. am glad I"
Then, catching suddenly at the tive slen-
der hands held out to her, "Msther, can
I see him soonT'
"You shall 70 to him tomorrow, my
darling. It will not do to excite him to-
much. The marriage ceremony win take
place tomorrow, We hope. You, tse. must
rest and take care Of yourself, my lily
flower. my darling"
Audrey sat down a. In q stuper. She
did not half realize what was gsing to
happen; she only knew that In q few
short hours she would see him again, her
hero, her beloved; that was Joy enough
to daze her; she could not grasp the full
ness Of It all At once.
It was his hand that clasped hers,
and yet how changed. Audrey could not
SEQ the pale, weak, clear face for the
mist of tears that rose before her eyes.
Tho girl suffered . great shsck at sight
Of him she loved lying prsstrats On his
pillow, barely able to speak or to smile.
The duchess had kissed Audrey tenderly.
"She Is lovely! Perfectly beautiful !"
she had said to Constance Fraser. "No
wonder my poor boy loves her 30 deep
~"
Mr.. Thorngate read the service, and
Mrs. Thorngate stood with the others
round the bed.
DR.. Sentance was close at hand; he
watched his patient narrowly. Certainly
1t almost looked as II the small flicker
Of life must suddenly 90 out. The pulse
was very weak, the hearts action uneven,
yet the doctor knew that II human will
would carry a much-desired point, Lord
breath, speak the words that made Au-
drey his wife.
In whispers, weak In vsiee, strong In
purpose, John Glendurwood spoke his
marriage vows.
Audrey repeated the words she was bid
to utter In q dim, mechanical fashion.
She woke for an instant az her lovers
feeble hand tried to push the ring over
the little finger, but after that she was
conscious Of nothing save that the face
before her grew paler and paler, his
hands weaker in their hold. As the rector
pronounced the benediction, the duchess
gave a cry.
HE Is gone He h seadl Ny Jack
Ny boy"
The brisk, klnd-hearted little doctor
read the conditions In a moment.
I'VE must not have you fainting, tso,
Lady john" he said, sharply. "Csme,
hold the bottle to your husbands nose,
and pass your hand slowly across his
brow. I expect you to help me. yen knew.
A great deal depends on you now. It
ie passing. Complete and utter exhaus-
ton. Now, Lady John, want you to
kneel down, 30 that your husband can go
you the first thing he opens his eyes"
Audrey ebeyed him instantly. The