Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-11-01
THE CHARITY GIRL 1
By EFFEE a. ROWLANDS


Yes, l have seen her, and I do know
her." she said, very slowly. 'To my IN
utterable shame l say it, Jack, for that
woman was none other than your Wife"
What" Jack recoiled as though he
had been struck, then rearing his head
proudly, How dare you say any such
thing, Gladys? How dare you throw
shame and discredit on a pure, sweet girl
who has never done you a moments harm.
who has nothing but good, gentle thoughts
for you and yours? How dare you?''
Because 1t il the truth Yes, the
truth" repeated tho countess, CURLY.
Had you been here but few moments
ago you would have seen her with your
own eyes You would not have given me
the lie In this way l say again, Jack,
that 1t is your wife who has disgracod
herself and US this night, who has made
herself the gossip and the scandal Of the
place for months to come"
GLADYS, l will not listen to you"
Jack had torn off his mask his face had
grown as white as ashes From to-
night, though you are my sister, will
never speak to you again for traducing
my wife's name. l thought you hard and
your faults, you had an honorable ma
ture. shall find Audrey, and take her
home. This is no place for her"
Jack was turning abruptly, when
soft exclamation beside him and a hand
on his arm stopped him.
Lord John, and without your mask7
Oh! cannot allow this, 1t Is against all
rules"
1t was Sheila who spoke.
Have you seen my wife, Sheila7"
Jack asked, hurriedly. lie replaced his
mask as he spoke.
II left her a few moments ago. She
was with Mr.. Rochfort Shall we 70 ard
find herr"
Sheila put her hand ON his arm, and
Jack moved away with her without an
other word to his sister.
Where did you say you had seen Au-
drey" Jack asked, harshly.
Sheilas eyes, shining hard and clear
through her mask. were going quickly
round. Where was Alice Fairfax? She
should be at hand now to give the cue
for the last act in the comedy that for
two hearts this night would be bitter
tragedy.
Before she had time to grow angry q
pale-pink domino huttered up to them;
the owner gave a girlish gisgle.
"Sheila, Is 1t your Yes, l see It Is.
Such fun 1 have Just seen the loveliest
bit Of spooning you ever saw. That YER,
proper Lady John Glendurwood and
who do you think7-why, Beverley Roch-
fort oh, l assure you they were going
on like anything. They have gone to the
old summer house, and"
Sheila checked her accomplice with 80
well-acted an air of anger as to astonish
Miss Fairfax.
Alice, how dare you What are you
saying. my dear child? You must not
1t is very wrongw
per. Really she had been an Invaluable
ally, and took as much delight In shar-
ing IN this wicked plot as though she
were joining In the purest and best work
on earth.
II am only telling you thu truth II
you don't believe me, 70 and SEQ for your
self! |, for one, am net surprised, after
the way she has gone on tonight" and
with that Miss Fairfax nounced her pink
domino out Of sight.
Jack Glendurwood had made no sign:
not even the smallest exclamation crosssd
his lips. He stood erect and still Hke
a statue Of stone, as they wore alore
again Thea suddenly be turned Do
Shsila.
Where Is this summer house she
speaks Off Ia It the old one I known
Shsila bit hex lip. She had never heard
anything 20 terrible as the sound Of his
voice, the passionate constrnint, the hol-
lowness OF acute misery.
my dear Jack" she said, laughing
nervously, "you surely do not mean - say
you take any notice OF that foolish
GIRLS"
"Will you answer me7' Jack replied,
fercoly.
For one moment shella's heart failed
her. She began to see her work In It's
full vileness and sin. What IL she had
gone too fart What II he should muir
der Audrey when he saw herr There
was a sound In his voice that spoke Of
rage ungovernable and mad pride.
do not take any notice of such gos-
sip, Jack" she said hurriedly.
All the answer he gave was TO begin
to walk out into the grounds, and Sheila,
nerving herself for the last, throw herself
before him.
mo, Jack" she said In low, choked
tones, you shall not gol"
what do you mean?" His face, from
which he had torn away the mask. was
almost savage In its anger and horrible
fear. do you know what you are say
ingY Why must I not 60 and seek my
wife1 Am / not the proper person to do
sof Answer me this Sheila Fraser, why
do you stop me? Do you fear what I
shall see and heart"
Yes" she said, swiftly, II fear-for
you, Jack"
''Then be assured, Sheiia, I shall not
be harmed. Lead me to this summer
hn1.c H. 1 mar kno.. a. ...-.....4