Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-03-07
CHAPTER II,

AS Audrey found herself alone In the
cab, driving out of the high, iron gates
of the asylum, she felt she must be in
some extraordinary dream. She had new
er driven in any sort of rehcle before,
| and the curious sensation of being car
rled over the road at quick pace added
| to the vagueness that seemed to enveop
| her; but the keen east wind as it rush
| ed in at the window awoke her, and with
sigh, she knew it was no dream. but a
reality full of excitement, confusion and
unspeakable pain. The tears she had re-
pressed rolled down her checks as she
thought of Jean left alone N that mis-
cradle life. Then her young spirit rose
above her grief. She was free, and be-
fore very long Jean should re free. too,
and they would go away together, as they
had dreamed and whispered 90 often in
the night hours. Mr.. Thorpgate was
waiting at the station and spoke kindly
to the girl.
There is your ticket, Maxse," he said.
land when you reach Mountterry you
must get out and wait on the platform
till lady speaks to you. She is my
wife, and will look after you. | should
have taken you down myself, tut | cannot
leave Broadborough for another week.
Now, you must be good, dilgent worker,
and never forget your duty 70 your en-
ployers and to heaven"
Audrey thanked the kini-hearted cler-
Gyman and accepted his advice gracefully.
The train carriage was quite empty. and
they were proceeding at a quick, even
pace that had the effect IF soothing the
girl. The rumble of the WI, els buzzed
a sort of lullaby in her ears. She was
very weary and was soon loat to every.
thing in a deep, dreamless slumber.
She was awakened by a sudden open
ing of the door, by several voices shout
ing, and by some person jumping into
the carriage and sinking on to the seat,
breathless, evidently with having run
very fast. 1t was young man. Audrey
gazed at him in startled amazement
through her veil. He was splashed with
mud from head to foot, but Lis clothes
were perfect in make and fit. He wore
rough riding breeches and boots, and had
hunting crop in his right hand He
laughed and brushed some of The mud off
his sleeve with his crop. lie pulled out
his watch and consulted it.
Just twelve" Audrey helrd him NUT
ter, and she was bewildered to think
she must have slept for something like |
two hours. She drew back a little ner-
vously into her corner, for the young |
man had folded his arms and was gazing |
intently at her slender, blaca-robed figure
out of pair of very handsome gray eyes.
AS a matter of fact, Lord John Glen
durwood was not even aware of what |
vas opposite to him. He VAS busy max
ing a rapid mental calculation.
Ten minutes to the stables, and then
A good hours hard ride ba.k and then
1t will be just a toss-up or no whether +
they will not be miles away before | even
I'M halfway there. Well, its worth hav-
ing shot at anyhow. | must get
,rush-down somewhere. Sheila will have
4 fit if | turn up like this. ! don't know
low | came such cropper making such
jolly fool of myself, too, before every
body. | hope poor Hector isn't badly
amed poor old chap. Can't take him
,ut again this week, that's very certain.
Here we are at Glaston, Lother five
minutes. and then Beignton, and then
he stables just as fast as | know how
o rum
|
md the guard came running down to the
arriage. He touched his cap with great
aspect.
"'Ope you didn't 'urt yer self, my lord
,ut you know it is dangerous a jumping
n like that, when she's on the move.
Won't you change carriages, my lord?
This amt fit for the likes of your lord
hip What did you saw, ma am"
"Am-am l near Mount5erry Station,
lease" faltered Audrey, breaking in on
he brief conversation.
'Mountberry? Why, we've passed it
quarter of an hour ago. Right, Bill ;
es," giving, shrill whistle. Right she
.. Now, then, there !"
The train moved on. Audrey looked
bout her uncertainty; she was fright
ned and bewildered. What snould she
o? Lord John, usually called Jack, [
lanced at the figure before him with
ONE interest. S
Looks like widow. Can't be, though, O
he's so small and young. Poor creature;
he's very poor, at any rate. She's evil
emily upset at passing her stetion."
He leaned forward and addressed Au-
rey in his kind hearted way.
You can get another train back imme-
lately from Beignton. You will reach