The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-04-11

CHAPTER X.
By EFFEE A. ROW. ANDS

CHAPTER y.
As early as possible the following
morning, Sheiia Fraser ordered her horse.
donned her habit, and, without waiting
tor breakfast or groom, left home n hot
haste for Craiglands. She wanted to be
first at an interview with the duchess.
Much depended on how she acted now.
If can just drop a few hints. and so
prejudice her against that girl, not all
Mrs. Fraser's sweetness. or her daugh-
ter's artfulness. viii have much avail L
am a rich woman. | never felt so glad
of my money before
She had diverged little from the or
binary route 70 Craiglands, because there
was a better road by so doing. and as
she trotted along heetly, she suddenly
came upon a dog cart, in which was seat
ed Beverley Rochfort- looking wonderful
~ handsome in his fur-lIned coat.
Miss Fraser, this IS an unexpected
pleasure ne said, as he lifted his hat
and motioned the groom to take the reins.
"You are our early"
IT am goin:. to Craiglands. to make In
quiries," she said CURLY.
Beverley only smiled. but she saw at
once that he attached a good deal OF
meaning to this hasty ride. He got
down from the cart
Drive up and down until am ready,
Jones'" be commanded, as he walked up
to Sheila's horse and stroked the smooth
neck. as there, then, so much cause
for anxiety" he asked. Are you nerv-
Gus about Lord John, Miss Fraser:
Sheila pursed her lips. She resented
his manner. and she did not quite under
stand it. either.
II feel that it would be altogether
pleasant and wise arrangement If you
and called ourselves friends Beverley
said. after a slight pause. I'VE have so
much In common"
Il don't think I understand you.
Sheila was startled into saying.
"I must try and explain myself clear
~ I know the reason Of your hurried
visit to Craiglands. 1t is not sympathy
that takes you there, but something more
akin to self-interest. Oh. do not be
angry. there is no occasion. for, my very
dear young lady. I think you are perfect
~ right You see. although do not
credit you with any great amount Of
sympathy. I have plenty myself Be-
,ieve me, / am quite sincere. just now,'
Beverley went on, 81 said / thought II
would be not only a pleasant but a wise
thing for you and l to become friends.
Union Is strength. you know. Miss Fra
ser: good old MAXIM"
Don't you think you had better leave
conundrums alone. and speak out
straight. Mr.. Rochfort?"
II will" he answered. quietly "Sheila,
we are both persons of determination and
ambition. Ny ambition takes one form.
yours snotber: but on one point We are
alikc-sye would sacrifice much to gain
our ends would we not?"
Sheila's cold gray eyes flashed as she
nodded her head.
you hate the girl; hate him. You
are determined that John Glendurwood
shall make you his wife; I am as equal
~ determined | shall make her mine. Ar
rived so far. the rest should be easy"
Sheila drew a sharp breath. She loath-
&c him for bis shrewdness in having read
her u.snd so clearly, but his words had
brought a new aspect altogether
1T Is for you to suggest" she said,
speaking swiftly and in low tones AS
you said just now, union is strength,
and So"
$50 you agree to be friends. eh?' Bev-
srIey smiled.
He had never had the smallest fear of
failing He had not watched Sheila so
carefully these past days for nothing. He
held out his hand as he spoke and Sheila
pu. hers into it
Have you any plans?' she asked. abb
ruptly. She was no longer so eager to
he I'm, eli a . l. y. 4
Ing. handsome. evil face told her that he
would do all be wished. Even in the
midst of the satisfaction that came with
q rush, she could not repress a feeling
of jealousy and envy that he should love
Audrey and be Indifferent to her. Sheila.
Il win tell you more when I return
from London. Ny journey there Is not
wholly unconnected with this matter.
And now. I think I must say 'Au revoir.
sincerely trust you will find Lord John
not so bad as rumor reports. Carry my
sympathy and regards to her new grace
abe is a charming woman, and will make
IN alto gether excellent mother-in-law."
Shei.a smiled mechanically. and gath
sring up her reins, she rode on She
gave a sort Of shudder as she went, and
the memory of Beverley's dark, glittering
eyes fingered with her. She felt. some
how. 50 powerless when she was with
him
Sheila always felt thrill at her heart
as she rode drove up to CraigIands.
Now as she passed up the avenue and
drew rein at the covered doorway, a man
with powdered hair and grave face came
forward to meet her.
'Her grace's love, miss, and she begs
Jon will excuse her this morning; she
does not feel equal to leaving his lord
ships room. She begs. also, to thank you.
miss. for having taken the trouble to
ride over and make inquiries"
Does DIR. Sentance think there is any
danger7" she asked. and there was gen
uine anxiety in her voice.
DIR. Sentance considers his lordship's
condition very serious" replied the ser
want.
Sheila rode back to Dingiewood cross
and anxious She met DIR. Sentance COM
Ing down the avenue, and stopped to ques-
tion him.
THE poor fellow has not recovered
consciousness yet" the medical man an
swered- II have telegraphed up for Raw
sor and Locksley. Miss Fraser, 1t Is
horrible, dastardly affair, and for the
life Of me | can't understand it. Lord
Glendurwood never seemed to have an
enemy in the world; but upon my word
this looks to me like a malicious attack.
II has turned out he had next to nothing
in his pockets. OF course. his watch
was valuable. But who on earth is there
about here who could have borne him a
grudge for anything he has ever done and
said? I suppose you have sent for fur
ther police assistance, Miss Fraser" he
went on.
Sheila confessed she had not even
thought of it,
Are not the Mountberry men suffi-
c1ent?' she asked.
This is pre-eminently a case for an
astute detective" he said "and should
telegraph up at once to Scotland Yard,
II | were you. As the affair happened in