Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-11-06
THE CHARITY GIRL
BY EFFIE A. RoWLANDS

BY EFFIE A. R0WLANDS

| 50 bad, Miss Thwait. 1t is quite impos-
sible for me to get to Cronstadt yet"
docs Audrey know you are not going
with us?"
| Il have not seen her this morning." was
the answer, given with much evident
pain.
| Jean clasped her hands suddenly. Then
her worst fears were realized. and some
thing more had, indeed, happened some
thing. too, very terrible, to work such
change as this.
| Lord john" she said, involuntarily,
you must please forgive me, but is your
business so important that you are COM
PEELED to attend to it rather than accom-
pany your wife on such journey as
this?"
miss Thwait," he said as well as he
could speak, ''the business am going on
touches that which is dearer to me than
life--my honor! l am sure that you at
least would not wish me to neglect any
thing with which that is concerned"
Il will answer for Audrey as for my
self" Jean said, hurriedly, ''if your honor
Is concerned, Lord John, NO other reason
is needed; but is there nothing can do?"
"Give this letter to Audrey, Miss
Thwait," bis voice quivered as he spoke
his wife's name. 1T Is q sacred trust
one that would not give to every one !;
but l know you are her friend, you will
comprehend and sympathize with what
am going to do"
"Stay, Lord John; you must hear me !"
Jeans gray eyes were full of tears. II
love Audrey better than anything on
earth. I do not ask to know the reason.
but see, alas! only too WE'LL that some
thing has arisen between her and you.
ask you now, and it is my love for her
that urges the question, will you not see
her yourself before you start on this
| journey ?-will you not smooth away the
quarrel? She is in trouble-will you not
take her to your arms?'
ut is impossible" he said quickly. but
with such determination in his voice as
made Jean shudder, and sent thrill of
exquisite torture through Audrey's aching
heart, as she, at that moment, opened the
door in time to catch Jeans last words
and her husbands reply.
By and by, when they were speeding to
Dover, Jean and Willie Fullerton-who.
when he found Jack did not join them.
insisted on going-in a corner talking
earnestly, Audrey drew out her husbands
letter.
"Audrey-In future, after the events
Of last night. it will be impossible for US
to live together. This, take 1t, will be
A. much your wish - mine. To continue
to live ~ We have been doing would be
meckery Of marriage, disgrace to our
race, dishsnor to eur name. This, then,
Is what propose to do. There shall be
no divorce; the pride and honor Of the
Marlborough family protest against such
course. After all, you are very young,
mere child; you may have erred through
ignorance, but be that 30 or not, from
hencefsrth you can never be my wife In
aught but name. Ny wife must be above
suspicion-pure, sweet, true-not a girl
who, before scarcely six months Of her
marriage have gone, encourages q man
for whom she openly expresses horror and
contempt.
"As for Beverley Rochfort, before many
hours are over-unless he be Z cur, which
l take him to be-he will have answered
to me for his own part In this affair.
! L
am trying to remember your youth and
the many disadvantages that have been
yours since the FIRST, and you-if you
have Justice and honesty In your heart
you will recognize that Am not treating
you harshly. Your future Is my care
This morning I have made my will. I
leave you all the money possess, to-
gethsr' with Minister, In Blsnkshire, the
property my father has just settled upon
me. Watcher live or die, I wish you
to make your home at Minister. should
like to think Miss Thwait was with you.
Your money will b transmitted through
my lawyers. intend to start 1t once
on 4 tour Of the world, giving the condi.
ton Of my health a. . reason for thus
relinauishins ny parliamentary career. I
shall be absent. perhaps, two ysara. and
leave 1t In your hands to judge Whistler
at the end Of that time ysur conduct has
been such - to permit ne to occupy the
same house - yourself, and appear BE-
fore the world In my proper pesitis, -
your husband.
JOHN GLENDURwoOD."
When Dover was reached 4 telegram
was brought to Jean.
For Lady John Glendurwood," the
waiter said, inquirinsly. rs that right,
madame"
"Quite right"
Jean hesitated only a moment, and tore
It open. She gave little sound Of sor-
row a. she read. 1t was from Marshall
poor, faithful Marshall-and ran thus
MRS. Fraser died this morning. Her
last wish was that you should not travel
here, but that she should be carried home
and buried In England. l, therefore. BEG
your ladyship to obey this wish. l have
tsleyraphed for my poor mistress lawyers
SUSAN MARSHALL"
Poor little Audrey! Robbed already Of
the neither she had longed for 10 much
loved 30 dearly, and possessed 70 short 9
whilsl
CHAPTER XVI.
There was nothing to do. Audrey fell
into a sickness that threatened seriou!
consequences. Jean sent at once for Lore
Glendurwsed and Fullerton, and he cant
in hot haste from q vain search for Bev
J erlsy Rochfort. There was nothing to b.
done but wait. Audrey had fallen int
: stupsr. Her dear mother was buriet
without the presence of her beloved child