Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-02-08

Deionslhs to the woman sunnosed to he
nioIher were deposited in tha oara
~, lndtron, Miss Irons. I examined
lew poor things-an old satchal
a. nlDie' bundle of old letters. and in
ele satchel, hidden away in the lining
vs. discovered the certificate of vour birth
together with the last letter Rodor;cl,
nave written to the woman before
CHI 80: On, my darling my darling p
- u' holding Audrey pressed close
Nei: How can l ever describe the
EXQUISITE JOY that came to me when |
Ale" what heaven had sent me? I
9eoineo 10 live again-to grow. as I once
vas strong and full of courage. Kiss
lne' my enid, my baby! Kiss me. and
lne near you say you have forgiven
n'e lor my cruel desertion of YOU ~
hor9lVen you. Oh, my poor. dear
sweet, new mother, don't saw such a
,Nlns When | remember how YOU must
""'e suffered, how cruel that wicked
niah mas been to hide me from Won all
THESE years, l feel almost mad"
lhat eventful night ended in more ex-
cltement for the report snrnad 70 tha
l'ouSe Oh the discovery of Jack Glendur-
WOOD lnsensible and horribly wounded
ana IN the tumult that ensued Sheila
worked Off some of her violent feelings
ohe broke in abruptly upon the length
eped conference between Audrey and her
mother, and blurted out the news with
OH any warning bet her eyes glistened
gladly as she saw the color leave Andrews
lace and lips, and heard the moan that
game from the sorrow-stricken heart
constance Fraser turned pale, too. but
the sight of her childs face gave her
courage. AS though she had read it in
large letters, she knew the truth then.
1T may not be so bad. Sheia, These
things are always exaggerated" she said
as she put her hands tenderlv on Au-
ufeE shoulders 1T seems to me in
credible that Jack should have been at
tackled like this. Surely SUCH e man can
have no enemies"
lie has ben robbed of all the iewelry
and money he had onthat will be a ciew.'
Sheila said, apparently with indifference
put watching Audrey keenly as she spoke
AL at once she seemed to realize that
things were not so bad for her. This
sudden illness of Lord Johns might
after all, prove a good friend to her.
At any rate, it would separate him
from Audrey, and that was a great deal
She noticed with the keenest pleasure
the anguish that had dawned on the
young girls face. She must not let her
step-mother notice her hatred of the girl
that had stepped in between her and her
happiness.
"But l am forgetting she said, in a
frank, pleasant manner. Il have to offer
all sorts of congrat ulations to you, NAM
ma. Why, it is like a fairy story And
so this pretty little girl is to be my
sister," She had come up to the slender
drawn-up figure. 1--WE must be good
friends, you and I, Audrey" she said
gliblly. Let us seal that bargain with
kiss"
Constance Fraser's delicate face flush
ed. This was not what she had expected;
her generous, noble heart was deeply
touched and she trembled visibly.
THANK you. dear Sheiia,~ was all she
said; but she gave the girl a look of
unutterable gratitude. you have al
ways been kind to me. II should
like to think you and my Audrey were
friends"
Sheila stood silent for a moment, then
laughing softly, she pressed her lips to
Audrey's cheek.
There! 1t is done! :" she said. And
now for the latest news of poor jack
Andrew had stood motionless all
through this little scene; but her mothers
hand felt the tremble that ran through
the Young frame She fathomed only too
we'll all that her child was suffering. AS
the door closed on Sheila, and they were
alone once more, she wrapped her arms
round the slight figure.
"My darling" she said, in tones of the
deepest tenderness.
Audrey gave little cry, and turning
chung to her newfound comforter and
protector
"Oh, mother mother!' she whispered,
brokenly; ''and II love him so! What
shall | do if he dies?''
Then. with those loving arms still
about her, she wept out the story Of her
simple love. It was an old and new
story; and though her heart was torn
with anguish at this calamity that had
hefallen her beloved, the girls sorrow was
inexpressibly soothed by the remem-
hrance that the heart she leaned on now
heat only for her, and would be hers
henceforth and to the end
ITO be continued.l