Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-09-04
By EFfH A. ROW. ANBS

toward her. II was John Glendurwsod.
He touched Sheila's arm; he had soon
fathoned her and her intentions. It
gave him pleasure to tease her, especial
ly since he discovered that her money
would never be shared by him.
"Glendurwood has good taste," he said.
CURLY, with a disagreeablc smile.
Il always knew that girl was no COED !"
she exclaimed angrily. what business
has she to talk to-my-our guests In
this way? 1t is disSracsful"
you should blame the guests, not
her. Glendurwood sought her deliberate
ly; that I can vouch for myself. She
Is very beautiful"
Il do not care to discuss the appear
ance of my servants, Mr.. Rochfort." WAS
Skefla's spiteful remark.
mo, nor any ether person, servant or
Nc servant, when they have a face like
this girl" thought Beverley 10 himself.
Jack was only asking after Mrs. Fra
ser, but he made no haste To Join the
others when he had received an answer.
Instead, he turned and walked beside the
girl as she moved onward.
Have You nothing to say, Audrey2"
he asked, after a long pause.
She looked at him in shy, startled
yet inexpressibly sweet way.
II don't know, my lord" she said,
timidly.
They were going away from the beatsn
track into lonely and wider bit Of the
grounds. Jack felt that every scrap Of
moral courage and worldly wisdom in
which he had been trying to Unfold HIM
self ever since that night in the avenue
was fast vanishing. He had not allow
ed himself to dwell much on Auareys
| beauty and unfathcmable c1arms, and
yet, despite himself, he hal done nothing
else but think Of her, and now, at this
first opportunity Of being alone with her,
he forgot the wide difference that lay be-
tween them; forgot all but that he loved
her. She was SO young, 80 fresh, 20
innocent: her beauty Of mind was no less
than her loveliness of face ard form.
Audrey" he said. He put out both
his hands and held them toward her, the
muf dropped to the ground and her small
fingers nestle into his. "Audreyw How
sweet her eyes were, how bril.iantl He
shook of the intoxication that was steal
ing over him. my darling, my little
child" he said, huskily.
| She drew nearer to him aud gave lit
tie glad cry.
"Ahl You love me-" she Whispered,
'you!"
Eyes, I, my dearest, dearest onai Did
you not know 1t before, Audreyf'
II knew you were my frisnd," she fall
tered-for something in his eyes, bent On
| has ~, -.
mount to her cheeks.
Friend and lever, aye, little ens, ysur
lover till die. Are you frightened.
Audrey7"
She smiled timidly, and her head
dropped 70 that he had to catch her
whisper.
mot frightened, only happy"
With an exclamation OF joy he drew
her to him, folded his tsms about her
and sought her lips.
| He kissed her long and silently, hold
| ing her small form close to his heart !;
then he lifted his head and smiled dewn
at her.
audrey, do you love NOR
| She looked at him cut Of her blue eyes
There seemed to be heaven itself mir
rored In their depths, but shc made ne
answer. Her speech was gone, she was
like one bewildered, yet 40 very, very
happy. No words could come, only a.
he repeated his question she CHING to him
with q passionate gesture and buried her
| face on his rough coat. A cleok chinins
five reused them.
II must sop Audrey cried In surprise
and dismay.
Jack laughed at her easerpsss.
| "Naver mind, We shall soon alter hat
young lady, when you beloag to me al
together. What. you will GOT Well,
then, you must give ne another kiss
another! Oh, darling: darlingi How
have I lived without ysu 20 longf I
shall come early tomorrow, ny sweet
one, and We will confess all to Mrs, Fra
ser, who viii give US her help, I know.
Heaven bless you, my desrest! Bless
and guard you'll"
Audrey smiled through the tears that
would come, and then, turning. ran Asst-
ly away.
Jack Glendurwood stood sazing tender.
IL after her, all ignorant that stealthy
figure In the background was creeping
after him as he walked through ths
bushes. A smile was lowering on his lips
when suddenly above his head swung a
heavy, loaded stick, and az il came down
crash on his skull Jack gave q sobbiAs
cry and fell insensible 20 The earth.
~ said I'd be even with you, ny
lord, and I've kept my word" muttsred
Henry Downs to himself; then, with
many backward glances, he riaed the coat
pockets Of all they contained, shuddsred
a. he saw the blood trickling down the
white, still face, and Owed In among the
bushes and left his victim to his fate.
Mountberry rang with gossip the fol-
lowing day. Lord John Giendurwood
had been found In the DinSlewood
grounds, robbed and half mu, dered, and
Audrey Makes charity girl. who had
come to Dinglewoed House a. maid to
Miss Fraser-had turned out to BE- Q
lady born, and none other than the daugh-
ter Of Mrs. Fraser by q previous mar
riase.
This extraordinary piece Of news Seem
ed to give good Mrs. Thorngats unlimited
satisfaction, and she poured ont me whole
story to her nephew a. they sat togstAa