Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-09-04
CHAPTER VII.

sack Glendurwood. He came to Dingle-
wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave ner to understand
that his visits were to Mrs. Fraser, and
not 10 herself.
Sne racked her brain to dnd the real
reason Was 1t jealousy Of Beverley
Rochfort, with whom she cei tainly had
dirted, 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 6ition grew worse, and lie, John Glen
durweod, would be to 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
eaycrness and intense desire to become
Lord Jchu's acknowledged fisncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never srcss the real
reason OF this change, never dream that
It was her unwomanly cruelty and indif-
ference to Audrey that had opened Jacks
eyes to 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 well when her furious temper and
heI vfrulent abuse of poor, nervous,
naturally shy creature was detailed In a
calm, collected manner.
Mrs. Fraser knew nothing about her
new maid until Marshall, seeing her SO
mucI 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 her.
As for Audrey herself, she seemed to
be in one long, pleasant dream. Mrs.
Fraser's sweet, low voice and delicate
beauty, her gently uttered thanks and
consideration for the comfort Of those
about her was new and delightful SEN
satIon; Marshall's patience and ready
will, more than pleasant, and Der life 80
peaceful and happy that she c.uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived 1t and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
abolt Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem to
recognize that vague, curious likeness
that had 20 startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was not
dull; she had plenty Of visitors. Miss
Frsser came first thing IN the morning
and chattsd in 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 rector's wife called out she always
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spoke
70 her when Mrs. Thorngate had gone
away again, and what a flushed, eager
hook there was on the wal face. At
drst Audrey had been afraid to meet Miss
Frazer, but beyond a frown ard a sharp
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing /;
she knew better than to object to any
arrangement her stepmother might make
One afternoon, toward the end of the
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for
walk.
"You have sat long enough over that
sewing; brisk walk will do you good !;
besides, I expect my lawyer down from
London on-on important business"
Are you happy with ME. my child"
she asked in low tones, sob sounding
as If It were behind her voice.
"Ohl 500 happy" Audrey cried
tneeling beside her. II wrote and told
jean how good you were TO me, and l
heard from her this morning. She says
you must be an angel, and 70 I think
you are"
kiss me-" murmured Constance Tras-
Or, gazing up into the lovolv eirlish face
almost hungrily, certainly passionatsly.
Audrey laid her cool !irs on those of
the older woman.
n love you," she Whispered, involun-
tarily.
my dear! Ny dear"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for q NOM
snt, then with another kiss and q ten
der smile waved her on.
ut must be true, feel It here" she
said to herself, a. she was alone, and
she pressed her hand to hor heart. "Oh,
heavenl II this comes to me, how shall
thank Thee for Thy soo:ness7
Audrey soon equipped herself. She no
longer wore the hideous black bonnet.
but smaller one. with bright crimson
ribbon ~ q relief to her daek locks. Mrs.
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vii
lage, and had bought the girl many gar
ments, which provoked wonder and in
tense pleasure In Audrey's breast. She
could not bring herself to realise that
they were all for her.
1t was a bitterly cold day, but Audrey
did not seem. to feel 1t; she planted her
hands In her warm muff, and danced
along, singing gayly to hersslt from very
exuberance Of spirit. The world was
beautiful, after ail-so her simple, child
ish heart determined. She was quite
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and dear
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and King
Arthur! She did not know which she
liked best. She walked down one of the
secluded paths, and shrank, 10 she
thought, out Of sight as she saw q party
Of people coming up from the lake, where
skating was in high swing. Shsila, In
Q magnificent sealskin, with a cap to
match, on her rudy hair, was walking
beside Beverley Rochfort. She looked
bored, a. indeed she was, and cross, too,
into the bargain, for there was Jack
still chatting to plain Louisa Everest.
and he had not been near her all the
afternoon.
Sheila did not catch sight Of Audrsy'a
lovely face In among the bushes and
trees. but Beverley did, and his heart
-sxn l.