Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-09-06
CHAPTER VII.


wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave her - understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not to herself.
Sne racked her brain to fnd the real |
reason Was it Jealousy of Beverley |
Rochiort, with whom she certainly had |
6irted, though very mildly, since he had |
cone on the scene; or was It caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of IVerne's
col dition grew worse, and he, John Glen
durwood, would be to a certainty in the
dead mans place and heir to the dukedom
before many months had elapsed?
The thought of this approaching event,
It need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eaEerness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged fisncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never guess the real
reason of this change, never dream that
It was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-
ference to Audrey that had opened Jacks
eyes tc 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 Fraser's conduct did not
sound we'll when her furious temper and
her virulent abuse of a poor, nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed In
calm. collected manner.
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall, seeing her so
mucR 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 ner.
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 new and a delightful sem
satIon; Marshall's patience and ready
will, more than pleasant, AID Der life so
peaceful and happy that she c,uId hardly
realize It was herself who lived 1t and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
aboGt Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem to
recognize 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
FrJser came first thing IN the morning
and chatted in a 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 Tector's wife called, out she always
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spoke
TO 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
Frazer, but beyond a frown ard a sharp
glance at the girl Shsila said nothing
she knew better than to object to any
arrangement her stepmother might make
One afternoon, toward me end of the
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for a
walk.
"You have sat long enough over that
sewing; a brisk walk win do you good
besides, 1 expect my lawyer down from
London on-on important business"
"Are you happy with me, my child ?
she asked In low tones, a cob sounding
as If 1t were behind her voice.
"Oh $3.50 happy" Audrey cried
kneeling beside her. II wrote and telt
Jean how good you were TO me, and
heard from her this morning. She sayl
you must be an angel, und % / thinl
you are"
kiss me" murmured Constance Fras
or, gazing up into the lovely girliSh fac'
almost hungrily, certainly passionately
Audrey laid her cool !irs on those o
the older woman.
~ love, you" she whispered, involun
tarily.
"Gy dear My dear"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for q nom
emit, then with another kiss and a ten
der smile waved her on.
"It must be true, feel II here" sh
said to herself, as she was alone, an
she pressed her hand to her heart. "Oh
heavenl II this comes to me, how shall
/ thank Thee for Thy gooGness3"
Audrey soon equipped herself. She n
longer wore the hideous black bonnet
but a smaller one, with bright crimson
ribbon a. q relief to her darn locks. Mrs
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vii
Iage and had bought the girl many gar
ments, which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure in AudreyIs breast. Sh
could not bring herself to realize tina
they were all for her.
It was a bitterly cold day. but Audre
did not seem to feel it; she planted he
hands In her warm muf, and dance
along, singing Eayly to herself from yer
sxuberancs Of spirit. The world wa
beautiful, after all-so her simple, child
lsh heart determined. She was quit
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and des
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and Kin
Arthur She did not know which sh
liked best. She walked down one Of Ii
secluded paths, and shrank, so Oh
thought, out Of sight as she saw a part
Of people coming up from tue lake, whe1
skating was In high swing. Sheila, /
a magnificent Sealskin, with q cap
match, on her rudy hair, was walkiu
beside Beverley Roehfort. She locke
bored, az indeed she was, and cross, to-
into the bargain, for there was JAG
stIll chatting to plain Louisa Everos
and he had not been near her all Il
aftsEROon.
sheila did not catch sight Of Audrey
lovely face IN among the bushes ar
trees, but Beverley did, and his heal
leaped with passionate admiration as
gazed. He had seen her about three
four times. and his pulses thrilled