Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-04-04
CHAPTER VII.

sack Glendurwood. He came to Dingle-
wood nearly every day. but in an almost
pointed manner he gave ner - understand
thai his visits were to Mrs Fraser, and
not TO herself.
sac racked her brain to find the real
reason. Was it jealousy of Beverley
Roca1ort, with whom she eel Itainly had
firted, though very mildly, since he had
core on the scene; or was it caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of Ivernes
cor dltion grew worse, and he, John Glen
dnrwood, would be to a certainty in the
dead mans place and heir to he dukedom
before many months had elapsed?
The thought of this approa hing event,
1t need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eascIness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged fancee. She
might worry and think until she was
alred, but she would never srcsS the real
reason of this change, never dream that
1t was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-
ferfhce TO Audrey that had opened Jacks
eyes &c her true character. and planted
the first seeds of contempt ia his breast
toward her.
He had got the whole story from Mar
shall, who cleaned it from audrey, and
certainly Miss Frasers conduct did not
sound we'll when her furious temper and
hei virulent abuse of poor, nervous
naturally shy creature was detailed in
calm, collected manner.
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall, seeing her so
muCt. 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 nrr
AS for Audrey herself, she seemed to
be in one long, pleasant dream. Mrs.
Eraser's sweet, low voice and delicate
beauty, her gently uttered thanks and
consideration for the comfort of those
about her was a new and delightful SEN
satIon, Marshalrs patience and ready
will, more than pleasant and Der life so
peaceful and happy that sne c.uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived ii and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
abort Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem to
recC snize that vague. curious likeness
that had So startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was not
dull she had plenty of visitors Miss
and chatted in desultory fashion with |
her stepmother, and after her came Mrs. |
Thorngate, who was welcomed eagerly by |
the invalid.
Audrey was never in the room when
the rector's wife called out she always
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spoke
40 her when Mrs. Thorngate had gone
away again, and what a flushed, eager
look there was on the wal face. At
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Miss
Fra. pr, but beyond a frown ard a sharp
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing;
she knew better than to object to any
arrapg cement her stepmother might make.
One afternoon. toward lDe end of the
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for
walk.
You have sat long enough over that
sewing; brisk walk will co you good
besides, l expect my lawyer down from
london on-on important business.'
Are you happy with nle, my child?'
she asked in low tones, a sob sounding
as if it were behind her voice.
"Oh. $3.50 happy" Ararey cried
kneeling beside her. Il wrote and told
Jean how good you were to me. and |
you must be an angel, and 30 | think
you are"
Kiss me-" murmured Constance Fras-
er, gazing up into the love.v glrlish face
almost hungriy, certainly passionatey.
Audrey laid her cool !ips en- those of
the older woman.
Il love YOU" she whispered, involun-
tarily.
MY dear. My DEAR"
Mrs. Fraser clung to her for a NOM
ent then with another Kiss and ten
der smile waved her on.
1T must be true, | Feel 1t here" she
said to herself, as she was alone, and
she pressed her hand to her heart. "Oh.
heaven. If this comes 20 ma how shall
thank Thee for Thy goofness?"
Audrey soon equipped herself. She no
longer wore the hideous black bonnet,
but smaller one with a bright crimson
ribbon as relief to her darx locks. Mrs.
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vii
Iage. and had bought ne girl many gar
nents. which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure in Audrey's breast She
could not bring herself to realize that
Ehey were all for her.
II was a bitterly COiu tdy, DuC audrey
did not seem to feel it; she planted her
hands in her warm muf, and danced
along, singing gayly to herself from very
exuberance of spirit. The world was
beautiful, after all-so her simple, child
!sh heart determined. She was quite
rich for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistiess and dear
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall and King
Arthur! She did not know which she
liked best. She walked down one of the
secluded paths, and shrank, so she
thought, out Of sight as she saw a party
of people coming up from the lake, where
skating was in high swing. Sheila, in
magnificent sealskin, with a cap to
match, on her ruddy hair, was walking
beside Beverley Rochfort. She looked
bored. as indeed she was, and cross, too
into the bargain, for there was Jack
still chatting to plain Louisa Everest
and he had not been near her all the
afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight OF Audrey's
lovely face in among the bushes and
trees. but Beverley did, and his heart
Ieaped with passionate admiration as he
Kazld. He had seen her about three or
four times, and his pulses thrilled TO
madness when he even thought of her
He let his eyes linger on her now, and
fhen he grew ashen white to his very