Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-09-06
CHAPTER VII.

lack Glendurwood. lie came to -Dingle
wood nearly every day, but in an ALMOST
pointed manner he gave ner to understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not 10 herself.
she racked her brain to find the real
reason Was it jealousy of Beverley
Rochjort, With whom she Gel tainls had
airted, though very mildly, since he had
coine on the scene; or was 1t caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of Iverne's
condition grew worse, and lie, John Glen
durwood, would be to q certainty in the
dealman's place and heir to the dukedom
before many months had elapsed?
The thought of this approa hing event,
II need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eazorness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged iGncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never guess the real
reason of this change, never dream that
II was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-
ference to Audrey that had opened Jacks
ewes tc her true character, anc planted
the first So Is of contempt 10 his breast
toward her.
He had got the whole story from Mar
shall. who cleaned it from Audrey, and
certainly Miss Fraser's conduct did not
sound we'll when her furious temper and
heI virulent abuse of a poor, nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed in a
calm, collected manner
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall seeing her so
MUGS better, ventured to tell her, and was
more than repaid for her kind action at
the pleasure her mistress expressed in
having the girl about ncr.
AS for Audrey herself she seemed TO
be in one long, pleasant dream. Mrs,
Fraser's sweet. low voice and delicate
beauty, her gently uttered thanks and
consideration for the comfort Of those
about her was a new andsa delightful SEN
satlon; Marshalrs patience and ready
will, more than pleasant, AID her life sc
peaceful and happy that she c:uId hardly
realize it was herself who lived 1t and moi
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
abodt Audreys eyes, nor did she seem tt
recognize that vague, curious Likeness
that had so startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was no
Freser came first thing IN the mornin'
and clatted Ia a desultory fashion will
her stepmother, and after her came Mrs
Thorngate who WAS welcomed eagerly b,
the invalid.
Audrey was never in the room whel
the rector's wife called, out she Away
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spok
to her when Mrs. Thorngate had gon
away again, and what a flushed, cage
look there was on the wal face. A
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Mis-
Frazer, but beyond frown and a shar
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing
she knew better than to object to an
arrangement her stepmother might MAKE
One afternoon, toward the end of tn
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for
walk.
"You have sat long enough over the
sewing brisk walk will do you good
besides, expect my lawyer down frol
London on-on important business"
Are you happy with me, my child
she asked in low tones, a sob soundin
as if it were behind her voice.
"Oh! $3.50 happyW Audrey erie
kneeling beside her. II wrote and tol
Jean how good you were to me, and
heard from her this morning. She say
you must be an angel, and so l thin
you are"
kiss me-" murmured Constance Fra
er, gazing up into the lovely giriish fa'
almost hungrily, certainly passionatel
Audrey laid her cool !ips on those
the older woman.
l,o nh IN
tarily.
MY dear My dearw
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for a MOI
ent, then with another kiss and a tie
der smile waved her on.
1t must be true, 1 feel 1t here" s.
said to herself, as she was alone, al
she pressed her hand to her heart. 20
heaven If this comes to ma, how shi
! thank Thee for Thy goodness"
Audrey soon equipped herself. She
longer wore the hideous black bonn
but smaller one, with bright crims
ribbon as a relief to her dark locks. Nj
Fraser had sent Marshall into the v
age, and had bought the girl many 60
ments, which provoked wonder and
tense pleasure in Audrey's breast. S
could not bring herself to realize tn
they were ali for her.
1t was a bitterly cold day, but Audr
did not seem to feel 1t; she planted i
hands In her warm muff, and dane
along, singing gayly 10 herself from We
exuberance of spirit The world W
beautiful, after also her s%mple, chi
ish heart determined. She was gu
inch, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and de
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and ri
Arthur She did not know which {
liked best. She walked down one Of
secluded paths, and shrank, so I
thought, out Of sight as she saw a pa
OF people coming ND from the lake. VIII