The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-03-28
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By EFFIE a. ROWLANDS

grounds. Jack felt that every scrap of
which he had been trying to Unfold him
self ever since that night In the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow.
ed himself to dwell much On Aubrey $
beauty and unfathomable c3arms, and
yet. despite himself, he hal done nothing
else but think of her, anil ncw, at this
first opportunity of being qlone with her,
he forgot the wide difference that lay be-
tween them; forgot all bus that he loved
her. She was so young, so fresh, so
innocent; her beauty of mind was no less
than her loneliness of face ard form.
"Audrey.' he said. He put out both
his hands and held them toward her. the
muf 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
child" he said huskily.
She drew nearer to him aad gave a lit
tie glad cry.
"Ah! You love me-" she whispered,
you :"
"Yes. 1, 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 AID the blood
mount to her cheeks.
Friend and lover, aye, little one, your
lover till 1 die. Are You frightened.
Audrey?"
She smiled timidly, and her head
dropped that he had 20 catch her
whisper.
Not frightened. only happy
With an exclamation or joy he drew
her to him. folded his AIMS 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, 10 you love r,e:"
She looked at him out Of her blue eyes.
There seemed to be heaven ITSELF mir
ro-ed in their depths, but she 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 passionate gesture and buried her
face on his rough coat clock Ginning
five reused them.
Il must gor' Audrey cried in surprise
and dismay.
Jack laughed at her eaga-ness
''Never mind. we shall soon alter that.
young lady. when you belong to me al
together. What. you will 20? Well,
then. you must give ne another kiss
another, oh, darling, darliagl 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, I know.
Heaven bless you, my desrestl Bless
and guard you ~
Audrey smiled through the tears that
would come, and then, turning, ran feet
Is away
Jack Glendurwood stood gazing tender
: after her. all ignorant that a stealthy
figure in the background was creeping
after him as be walked through the
bushes. A smile was lowering On his lips
when suddenly above his hesd swung a
heavy, loaded stick, and az il came down
crash on his skull Jack gave sobbing
cry and fell insensible 20 the earth.
Il said I'd be even with you, nv
lord, and I've kept my word," muttered
Henry Downs TO himself; then, with
many backward glances, he rided the coat
pockets of all they contained, sbuddered
as he saw the blood tricklug down the
white, still face, and dived ia 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 murdered. 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 han the daugh.
ter Of Mrs. Fraser by a previous mar.
riage.
This extraordinary piece cf rews seem
ed to give good Mrs. Thorngate unlimited
satisfaction, and she poured o,:t the whole
story to her nephew as hey slt together
in her coy drawing room.
There was a smile and look OF eager
ness on Beyerley's handsome face IS he
listened.
"Ah!" he said to himself, nothing
could be better. | must see hose lawyer
chaps tomorrow, and nea think l
shall have everything cut aud dried fol-
my plans. / don't think Lord Jack Glen
durwood will stand much chance against
me in the future l hold trump cards,
aud | mean to hold them. He has kick.
ed rue into the dirt. and put his foot on
me. If he thinks l have forgotten that.
he Is mistaken. He loves this girl, but
he shall never marry her. love her
how his dark eyes hamej-'and | swear
she shall be my wife ~