The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-06-15
CHAPTER XIII.


haste. go after her. You must stop her
In case he has come and she should meet
him! Quick Give me that domino!
can hide it under mine!"
Beverley Rochfort-for it was he
hurriedly threw off the gray cloak, ano
without a word strobe after Audrey.
1t was against Beverley Rochfort's
form that she stumbled in her blindness
and weakness, and in his arms she rested
as she lay insensible. Beverley paused
only for moment, then glancing to right
and left he picked up his burden and
went quickly through the trees to the rus
tic house near where Audrey had seen
what she supposed to be her husband
clasping Sheila Fraser in his arms
Reaching this, Beverley removed the
mask from the lovely face that was white
and cold, as though death itself was print
ed on it, placed the girls senseless form
In one Of the long, cushioned garden
chairs, and then stood with folded arms
surveying her.
After tonight your pride will be
humbled," he said to himself, "and that
husband of yours will find out what it
is to have made an enemy Of mel
Then, STOPPING, he kissed Audrey's I'M
conscious lips passionately, fiercely. many
times: but so deep and swift had been
the blow struck to her young heart that
not even at this degradation did nature
awake to protect and repel.
1T must be time now," be muttered,
and he laughed softly to himself as he
ba Of tho I'd M
turned the key in the lock.
II have you safe now, my lady," he
said, as he put the key in a pocket of
his domino and hurried away.
He had not gone far into the crowd
of dancers and promenaders before he be-
came aware of form close beyond him
which, if he had not known so well to
the contrary, he could have sworn was
Audrey herself. There was the black
and silver domino, the white satin skirts
peeping below, and the dainty black lace
mask the hood arranged exactly as Au-
drey's had been.
1T is excellent, upon my word. Sheila
is clever when she likes to be- he said
to himself with much deliberation.
He was standing close beside Lady
Daleswater; he knew her by her hard
mouth and chin, even if Sheila had not
carefully taught him all the colors of the
dominoes who were necessary to the little
drama they were enacting tonight. With
Gladys, there were Mrs. Fairfax and sew
eral women whom he knew were all jeal-
GUS and envious of Audrey-enemies, ev-
cry one. He moved up to Mrs. Fairfax.
Can you tell me who that black and
silver domino ISL" he asked, sinking his
voice.
"Oh, that is Lady John Glendurwood
She seems to be enjoying herself, does
she not?"
"She does indeed,1 Beverley answered.
Behind his mask he frowned. This
supposititious Audrey was acting little
too much, in his opinion, flirting and
laughing in the most outrageous manner.
"Sheila must give her hint, she
mustn't stay too long. Glendurwood
might arrive at any moment"
Fortunately for him, Sheila came I'D
to him then, and she readily saw the
wisdom of his words.
Going up to the woman disguised as
Audrey, who was none other than Muir
ray, the discharged. lady's maid. she made
some sort of excuse and walked away
with her and her parner just as Jack
Glendurwood, in his gray domino and
mask, came up to where his sister was
standing.
"Halloo, Gladys!" he said, laughingly.
Guessed you easily enough, you see.
Where's Audrey?"
Your wife is just leaving the ball room
with Miss Fraser"
Jack glanced down to the other end.
and just caught glimpse of black and
silver domino leaning rather heavily on
the arm of some man.
who. is the man, l wonder?" he
thought to himself. and he was Just rush
Ing off after them when Lady Dales-
water stopped him.
Jack. give me your arm; this room Is
80 hot, and want to speak to you"
Lady Daleswater was unconsciouslv
aiding Sheila's drama, though. apart
from her own desire to speak out strong
" on Audrey's extraordinary behavior
Miss Fraser had asked her to keen her
brother engaged as long as she could
when he arrived. With a grimace Jack
agreed.
ut is rather hot: and am not in tho
best OF tempers," he said, frankly. 81
have driven all the way to Beignton and
back to see Benson, and then found that
there was mistake-he had gone TO Ion.
don. His secretary swore that no taIo-
gram had been sent to me; but, of course
he had to change his tune when 7 nnJlod
It out of my pocket and showed the nos-
sage to him. Then he wanted to Gov :.
was some hoax; but who on earth would
want to hoax me?"
Strange things happen sometimes I,
Lady Daleswater said, curtIy,
Yes. and from all accounts they hon
pen sometimes at masked balls" laucbad
Jack. "Even the short time have bao1
here l have heard nothing but eoSs;r
about the way some woman has been ha,
having. quite scandalizing the old lad;os
by her outrageous flirting. Have vor,
seen her, Gladys? Do you know herr"
Lady Daleswater removed her moss
with jerk, and then stared straiob+ int
her brothers eyes,
Yes, l have seen her, and I do know
her" she said, very slowly. ,''To NV mn.
utterable shame l say it, Jack. for tbo,
woman was none other than your wife
WhatF Jack recoiled as though h.