Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-04-18
CHAPTER Y.


donned her habit, and, without waiting
for breakfast or groom, left home IN ho'
haste for Craiglands. She wanted to be
FIRST at an interview with the duchess
Much depended on how she acted now
IF can just drop few hlnts' ana So
prejudice her against that girl, not al
Mrs. Frasers sweetness, or ner daugh,
ter's artfulness, will have much avail.
am a rich woman, l never felt so glad
of my money before"
She had diverged little from the or
dinary route to Craiglands, because there
was better road by so doing, and as
she trotted along heetly, she suddenly
came upon a dog cart, in which was seat
ed Beverley Rochfort, looking wonderful
Iy handsome in his fur-lined coat
Miss Fraser, this is an unexpected
pleasure" he said, as he lifted his hat
and motioned the groom TO take the reins'
You are out early.
Il am going TO Craiglands, to make in
Quiries,' she said curtly.
Beverley only smiled, but she saw at
once that he attached a good deal o.
meaning TO this hasty ride. He got
down from the cart.
Drive UP and down until I am ready,
Jones'" he commanded, as he walked up
TO Sheila's horse and stroked the smooth
neck rs there, then, so much cause
for anxiety?" he asked. Are you nerv-
Gus about Lord John, Miss FraserT'
Sheila pursed her lips. She resented
his manner, and she did not quite under
stand it. either.
II feel that it would be altogether a
pleasant and a wise arrangement If you
and | called ourselves friends" Beverley
said, after slight pause. I'VE have SO
much in common
II don't think I understand you.
Sheila was startled into saying.
II must try and explain myself clear
iy l know the reason Of your hurried
visit to Craiglands. 1t is not sympathy
that takes you there, but something more
akin to self-interest. Oh do not be
angry, there is no occasion. for, my very
dear young lady, think you are perfect
iy right. You see, although | do not
credit you with any great amount of
sympathy, l have plenty myself. Be
lieve me, l am quite sincere. just now,
Beverley went on, II said l thought it
would be not only a pleasant, but wise
thing for you and I to become friends.
Union is strength, you know, Miss Fra
ser; a good old maxim
Don't you think you had better leave
conundrums alone, and speak out
straight. Mr.. Rochfort?'
Il will" he answered. quietly. "Shela,
we are both persons of determination and
ambition. My ambition takes one form,
yours another; but on one point we are
,alike-we would sacrifice much to gain
.our ends; would we notf'
Sheilas cold gray eyes flashed as she
nodded her head.
you hate the girl; hate him! You
are determined that John Glendurwood
shall make you his wife, am as equal
.ly determined l shall make her mine. Ar
rived SO far. the rest should be easy"
sSyaeila drew a sharp breath. She loath-
ed him for his shrewdness in having read
her mind 50 clearly, but his words had
brought a new aspect altogether.
1T is for you to suggest" she said
speaking swiftly and in low tones. "As
you said just now, union is strength
and So"
80 you agree " Uc lIiChuo, A'O'
eriey smiled.
He had never had the smallest fear o
failing He had not watched Sheila 81
carefully these past days for nothing. H
held out his hand as he spoke and Shells
pu. hers into it.
Have you any plans?" she asked, alb
ruptly. She was no longer so eager t
be gone. One glimpse at this mans smil
Ing. handsome, evil face told her that h
would do all he wished. Even in tn
midst of the satisfaction that came wit
a rush, she could not repress a feelin
of jealousy and envy that he should low
Audrey and be Indifferent to her, Sheila
Il will tell you more when l return
from London. My journey there is no
wholly unconnected with this matter
And now. think l must say 'Au revoir
sincerely trust you will find Lord job,
not so bad as rumor reports. Carry m
sympathy and regards to her new grace
she is a charming woman, and will max
an altogether excellent mother-in-law."
Sheila smiled mechanically, and gath
ering I'D her reins. she rode on. Sh
gave sort of shudder as she went. an
the memory of Beverleys dark, glitterin
ewes fingered with her. She felt some
how. so powerless when she was wit
him.
Sheila always felt thrill at her hear
as she rode or drove up to Craiglands
Now as she passed up the avenue an
drew rein at the covered doorway, a MAJ
with powdered hair and grave face cam
forward to meet her.
"Her grace's love, miss, and she beg
you will excuse her this morning; sh
does not feel equal to leaving his lord
ships room. She begs, also, to thank you
miss. for having taken the trouble t
ride over and make inquiries"
Does DR.. Sentance think there Is an
danger?" she asked, and there was gen
uine anxiety in her voice.
"Dr. Sentance considers his lordship'
condition very serious" replied the ser
want.
Sheila rode back to Dinglewood eros
and anxious. She met DR.. Sentance CON
ing down the avenue, and stopped to Ques
tion him.
"The poor fellow has not recovere
consciousness yet" the medical man an
swered. 81 have telegraphed up for Raw
sor and Locksley. Miss Fraser, 1t
horrible. a dastardly affair, and for tn
iife of me / can't understand it. Lor
Glendurwood never seemed to have a.
enemy in the world; but upon my wor
this looks to me like a malicious attach
1t has turned out he had next TO nothin