The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-05-11
THE CHARITY GIRL
By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

fond of him to let that last.
You must have a chat with Gus when
he comes back, and until then, dear, look
upon me as your banker" she said, gent
iy.
dear Aunt Agatha !" Beverley muir
INJURED, pressing her hand. His gratitude
was entirely assumed, since he had set
tied this arrangement in his mind before
he left Port Elizabeth; but Mrs. Thorn
gat, never doubted it for a moment.
You will be a rich man some day,
Beverley, you are SO clever. Brains like
yours always succeed"
'"They certainly have served me very
we'll so far" agreed Mr.. Rochfort. There
was a curious smile on his face as he
recalled how often his brains had carried
him through disagreeable aud awkward
crises. II must tell you I'll about my
plans tomorrow, Aunt Agatha. Are those
the Lights of Dinglewood? l had an idea
IL was much further away. What a
fine property it is! Miss Fraser is a
lucky young woman. Is she appropriated
yet?''
There is no definite engagement; but
l don't think I am far wrong if l say
Sheila's fancy leans toward Lord John
Glendurwood. l think you met him
wheh you were here before"
A grim look settled on Beverley Roch-
forts handsome face; his lips compressed
themselves into tight, ngly line.
Eyes, l know Glendurwood," was all
he IS i'd; but keen listener might have
detected something hard and strange in
his voice. 'He is a very decided prig,
Aunt Agatha"
Mrs. Thorngate made no reply to this,
Tor, truth to tell, she had a weak spot
in her heart for Lord John, and was one
% his warmest admirers.
II hate prigs! l knew one out there"
with a comprehensive nod backward at
some unnamed bourne-''to whom l took
a fancy" Beverley laughed softly. HE
was the surliest chap 1 ever came across,
but what a plucky one! We knocked
against each other pretty often. l felt
sorry for him, somehow; he seemed al
ways SO glum. He gave me a packet to
bring home to some lawyers here, and
MADE me swear | would honestly deliver
it. He called himself John Marsh, but
am quite sure that was not his name.
He must have been a good-looking fellow
when he was younger, with eyes as blue
well, as your large sapphire ring, Aunt
Agatha, and coal-black hair. A strange
combination 1 never saw it before"
why, that's just what that child is
like" cried the rector's wife.
What child"
Miss Fraser's maid, and a protege Of
Gus Such lovely little creature. /
wish you could see her, Beverley"
Il never waste my admiration on SER
wants." he said as they reached the low,
wide porch-like entrance Of Dinglewood
House.
Miss Fraser was dispensing tea to her
grace the Duchess of Marlborough and
one OF two other people. She received
Mrs. Thorngate in the wsrm, pretty
fashion she always assumed before Jacks
mother.
"How good of you to come! Dear
mamma will be SO pleased to see you
Thanks, she is really better this afternoon
at least hope so. Oh! she frightened
ME terribly when she fell down in that
fairting fit! l did not wait her to go,
but she would do it. Mr.. Rochfort,
will you come and sit mere? Dear god
mamma, may l introduce Mr. Beverley
Rochtort to you? He has just come back
from foreign parts, and will entertain
you. l am sure 70
The duchess moved her anrle skirts
so that Beverley might sit down. Lord
John was speaking very plainly and earn
estly.
"Sheila," he said, as he drew the girl
apart from the rest for moment, show
comes that man here"
what man? Oh, Mr.. Rochfort?
WIZ he is dear Mrs. Thorngate's nephew.
Stupid Jack, as if you did not know
that"
81 did not know 1t, or I should not
have asked the question. ] have never
seen him down here before, and have
never heard Mrs. Thorngate speak of
him."
"Oh, he is her joy and her beloved. l
cali him handsome, don't you? But, of
course, no man ever aomires another; !
forgot"
"Whoever he may be, Snow him as
one Of the greatest blackgnards 1t has
ever been my lot to meet"
Good gracious, Jack, how awful; and
Mr.. Thorngate a clergyman, tool"
"Mr. Thorngate has nothing to do
with him. l doubt If he would ever let
HIM inside his house if be fnew as much
about him as l do"
Beverley was In the best of spirits.
IIo lad carefully noted chat whispered
conference at the fire, just as he had
noted that Lord John Glendurwood did
not vouchsafe him any greeting. He was
much relieved as Sheila came VI to them
and treated him to a SMILE. He did not
quite understand her expression, but he
studied 1t well and determined to think
it over. He was a most amusing man;
he could tell an anecdote with just enough
disregard for the truth as to rcint it well
and make 1t more palataole. His voice
was SO pleasant, his bearing so grace
tGl, and his face so hands ,ne, that he
won everybody's heart.
You must. come to Craigiands," cried
the duchess, with decision.
Meanwhile Jack Glen1urwood was
striding through the chill February af.
terncon; a slight frost and tall Of snow
had prevented the meet that morning,
and he felt trifle bored.
By this time he was at the stables.
and going in. he examined Sheila's mara