Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-02-14
CHAPTER XIy.-(Continued.)

went round the room IN search or that
lovely girlish face that had haunted his
dreams so delightfully."-.
Audrey" he whispered, family, and
some one came hurriedly out Of the dusk
and knelt beside the bed.
They said no words, only his hand
clasped itself round her two little ones,
and he lay gazing at her sweet eyes as
though they were heaven itself.
Now you have turned the corner, and
are going on well, am going to look
after your wife. Lord john" DIR. SEN
lance said, cheerily.
''My wife ~ What world of passion
ate tenderness, even though it was whis-
pered and not spoken, rang in those two
little words AUdrey's heart thrilled.
She must rest; she is young, and
needs plenty Of sleep, and she has been
fretting over you in a most terrible fash
ion. Come. Lady John, you can leave his
lordship with a light heart, for he could
not possibly be better. The best nurse,
absolutely the best nurse have ever had,
Mrs. Fraser" he declared, pleasantly.
Sheila Fraser did not return to Din
glewood. nor did she vouchsafe to CORE
spend with her stepmother She remain
ed on in London, a victim to the most
bitter disappointment and modification.
For nearly two minutes Sheila and
Beverley were struck speechless as Lady
Daleswater rushed in with her bad news.
The girl had turned ashen white, and
Heverley's hands clinched themselves in
voluntarily. Lady Daleswater recovered
herself first.
who is this gcntleman?" she asked
codly, feeling annoyed that she had be-
trayed her family affairs before a COM
plete stranger.
Beverley answered her at once.
Il am a man to whom this intelli-
gence IS more painful than you can pos
sibly imagine, Lady Daleswater," an
swered Beverley.
Mr.. Beverley Rochfort means that
he is madly in love with this girl, who
has flung herself at your brothers head"
said SheiIa sullenly. 1T will be better
to explain everything to you, dear Lady
Daleswater."
The countess listened attentively; she
was so deeply enraged with her mother,
brother and the poor innocent little crea-
ture who had allied herself to the ducal
family, that every nerve thrilled to be
able to seize upon something, however
faint, that might be worked upon to bring
about an annulment of this odious mar
riage. She uttered a sharp exclamation;
it almost sounded like joy as she listened.
''All is not so bad" she cried "Sheila,
don't you understand? Mr.. Rochfort,
as this creatures guardian, cannot on:y
object TO the marriage, but, according to
the letter of the bond he holds, can in
Il h. III
Mr.. Rochfort, that piece of paper must
be in my lawyers hands tonight and
unless | am very much mistaken, they
will ratify what l say-that you Will
have absolute and entire control over the
girl"
Sheila's cheeks grew a shade rosier
as she heard Lady Daleswater's clear,
proud tones.
1.-THE countess is right" she said to
Beverley, as they We're alone: you will
he able 20 break this absurd marriage.
You must You must !"
There are other ways of disposing of
the marriage tie besides simple annul-
ment," he said to himself, cynically, and
h smiled into the flames. IF that course
fails, as fail it must, for we have not
a leg to stand upon, l don't think | shall
be very dsheartened. My wits have new
er failed me yet, and my day will come -
1t was quite nine o'clock and the earl
had just returned from Mountberry, and
HAD poured an account of what had oc-
Cured between himself and the duchess
into his wife's ears. Lady Daleswater
was simply furious with resentment
against her mother, but she did not dis
cuss the matter further as Sheila came in
The legal advisers of the earl and
countess had answered her ladyship's
hasty summons promptly. and all they
waited for was Beverley Rochfort to ap-
pear
Just when conversation on the vexed
and important question was in full swing
a note was brought in and handed to the
countess. She read it through, and grew
white to the lips with modification.
MIR. Rochfort has deserted us and gone
over TO the enemy" she said, CURLY, and
then she handed the letter to her husband
and bid him read it aloud.
Beverley wrote very clearly and briefly
He had already consulted his lawyer
who had told him promptly that any
question of annulling the marriage was
as impossible IS absurd; therefore he beg
cided refusal 10 join her in this matter
Il am sure when you are less, and.
may say, justly, incensed at this mar,
riage," he wrote, you will see that as
man of honor l can do nothing but this
for were | TO enforce my guardianship,
must rob Lady John Glendurwood of the
large fortune which was bequeathed hel
by Mr.. Roderick Anstruther on his death
bed. l regret that. can offer your lady
ship no avail in the natter
1T is a good move" he said, alone in
his rooms. 'Of course, if that confound
ell paper would have stood the light oil
day | would not have scrupled to use it
but ii is too feeble bridge TO carry me
over This other is a safer and a sureI
one. Once q friend in John Glendur
woods house, the rest will be easy.' anc
he laughed softly.
Poor. sweet, young Audrey, how little
did she know the storm clouds that were
gathering over her-clouds born of Judas
like treachery, envious hate. mean spite
degraded passion, and other evil human
motives