Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-05-16
4 THE CHARITY GIRL I
BY EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

CHAPTER (Continued.)
Audrey fortunately knew nothing oi
che dislike and anger she was causing
bS and by she found the atmosphere
very close, for an awning had been raised
on deck that formed an impromptu ball
room; and bidding the few around her a
hasty goodnight" she slipped away
needless that Beverley Rochfort was
watching her aud was following close be-
hind her.
Once outside the awning Audrey drew
n deep breath. A few couples were stroll
ing to and fro, but she passed them and
went swiftly aft.
Had she been less dazed and weary she
might have wondered at the sound OF
slght cry quite close, but she was think
Ing of Jack, and all else was lost upon
her.
II will just breathe some air and then
NO below" she said to herself. 1T was
,stiiing in there!"
She stood looking over the moonlit
waters for a moment, and then turned to
xo. AS she did so, she was suddenly
blinded, a sense of horrible fear and help
aessnes came over her, strong, sickly
smell penetrated to her brain. She tried
10 scream, to struggle-in vain. Her
timhs lost their strength, her brain reeled
she knew no more.
There was great commotion on board
Che Mona that night BY some mis-
chance Lady John Glendurwood had lost
her footing, and had fallen overheard
Into the still, deep waters below, and,
by a miracle of mercy. Beverley Koch
fort had been near at hand, had plunged
into the water, and, at risk of his own
life, had succeeded in saving hers.
This was the news that was telegraph
ed to John Glendurwood up in Scotland,
and which caused his cheeks to turn
ashen gray, and then made him rush
wildly to the station, en- route for the
south, while Audrey lay still and white
on her luxurious cabin bed, carefully
watched by Mrs. Hungerford and Lady
Daieswater, whose usually impassive
rountenance was pale and perturbed.
1.-The shock to the nerves has been very
great" said the doctor, who was sum-
moned hastily: but for Mr.. Rochfort's
bravery, my dear Lady Daleswater, her
sadyship would not be alive now"
In dim, far-off way Audrey heard all
this and pondered over it. She tried to
ransack her brain to account for the ac-
cident, but in vain. Even when Jack
came, and she felt his arms holding her
close to his beating heart, her memory did
not clear she could tell him nothing, for
she knew nothing herself; it only trou-
bied her to think about it. So Jack took
the doctors advice and refused to allow
any more questions.
"She is saved, thank heaven, and that
ds all carev' he said. rather brokenly
70 his sister, and then, when he found
himself face to face with Rochfort, he
went straight up to him. ''Rochfort," he
said, quietly, hitherto have judged you
harshly; henceforth l will try and amend
for that judgment. l owe my wife's life
20 you. Here is my hand. I only hope.
some day. l may be able to show my graf
dude to you and to repay you for what
you have done"
Beverley replied by some graceful
words, but as he was alone, he walked
to the edge of the yacht and looked
across the waters.
Here endeth the prologue" ne said
TO himself; now the drama Is about to
begin.