Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-09-11

ySoS oelD9 VeTo oepoDebo4 N - ce1e
Of ~ nairsA, Miss Irsns. I examined
tAsss Ssw Dssr tAisss-aa ~ satchsl.
q Dnis. . bundls II IN lettazs: and In
~ satehsl, hidden away IN tie unins.
W discovered the certificate Of ysur birth,
together with the last letter Rolerick
must have written to the woman before
she died. Oh, my darling! my darling !"
she cried, holding Audrey pressed clsss
to her. "How can ever describe the
exquisite JOY that came to ne whea l
knew what heaven had sent mel
seemed to live asain-to grow, ~ eacs
was, strong and full Of courage. kiss
me. my child, my baby! kiss me. and
let Nc hear you say you have forgiven
ne for my cruel deserticn Of ysu"
Forgiven you! Oh, my poor. dear,
sweet, new mother, don't say such q
thing! When remember how yeu must
have suffered, how cruel that wicked
man has been to hide me from you all
these years, feel almost mad"
That eventful night ended In more ex-
element, for the report spread to the
house Of the discovery Of Jack Glendur-
wood. insensible AID horribly wounded,
and IN the tumult that ensued Sheila
worked Of some of her violent feelings.
She broke In abruptly upon the length
eDed conference between Audrey and her
mother, and biurted out the news with
out any warning; bet her eyes giisteped
gladly a. she saw the color leave Audrey's
face and lips, and heard the moan that
came from the sorrow-stricken heart.
Constance Fraser turned pale, tss, but
the sight Of her child's face gave her
courage. A. though she had read 1t in
large letters, she knew the truth then.
1T may not be so bad, Sheila, These
things are always exaggerated" she said,
as she put her hands tenderly on Au-
drey's shoulders. ut seems to me In.
credible that Jack should have been At
tackled like this. Surely suck . man can
have no enemies"
HE has ben robbed Of all the jewelry
and money he had onthat will be clew,"
Sheila said, apparently with indifference,
but watching Audrey keenly as she spoke.
All at once she seemed to realize that
things were not go bad for her. This
sudden illness Of Lord Johns might,
after all, prove good friend to her.
At any rate, 1t would separate him
from Audrey, and that was 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 I am forgetting" she said, In 4
frank, pleasant manner. II have to offer
all sorts Of congratulations to you, man.
ma. Why, it is like fairy story. And
SO this pretty little girl is to be my
sister," She had come up to the slender
drawn-up figure. I'VE must be good
friends, you and I, Audrey" she said,
gliblly. LET US seal that bargain with
a 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- IL should
lika to think you and my Audrey were
friends"
Sheila stood silent for q 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
well 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 a little cry, and turning,
chung to her nsw-found comforter and
protector.
"Oh, mother, motherv she whispered,
brokenly; ''and IL love him 20! What
shall I do II he dies7"
Then, with those loving arms still
about her, she wept out the story Of her
simple love. 1t was an old and a new
story; and though her heart was torn
with anguish at this calamity that had
bsfailen her beloved, the girls sorrow was
inexpressibly soothed by the remem-
brance that the heart she leaned on now
beat only for her, and would be hers
henceforth and to the end.
|. Ito be continued.)