Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1907-08-24
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)


trying to force his way Int the ranks
of the upper ten. His money. his Pc
litical views, and his power, as deteFmin-
ed by the fact of his being a large en-
ployer of labor, and, therefore, of coH-
trolling a large percentage OF voteS
brought about an acquaintance, and then
a friendship. with Sir Edwin GasceigRe,
an inpecuniOus but most aristeeratic
haroaet. BY Sir EdWin's aid. Mr. Fra
ser was returned in the Conservative
cause, and his step planted On the first
rung Of the ladder. He was decidedly
clever man, and although too mean and
niggardly to be altogether popular, he
was not leng ia finding some friends.
Ameng these, however, could not be class
ed Constance Gascoigne. Sir Edwards
second and only surviving daughter. Miss
GascoigRe was a very beautifu! girl, but
she had won the reputation Of having
bitter and unknd tongue. Every one
knew that Constance Gascoigne did not
share in her fathers infatuatiOn for Mr..
Fraser. and yet she electrified the whole
social world by suddenly becoming his
wife. There was the nine days gossip
and then the Fraser marriage became
a thing Of the past, although there were
some Of CGnstance's women friends who
still discussed the subject.
There has been something mysterious
about the girl for the last two years !"
cried Mrs. Fanfare, the biggest scandal
monger of the time, land for one al
ways thought that young Frank Anstru-
Tiers sudden death had a great deal to
do with It, Constance was Dadly in love
with him. poor girl Well, she has done
very well in one sense. This Fraser man
is rolling in money-positively rolling,
my dear"
In a vague, yet uncertain. way Sheila
felt that it was only through her step
mothers popularity and undoubted social
position that she was received and wei
coined as the friend Of the county fami-
lies around the neghborhood, and pos
sessed the entree of the best houses in
London when they stayed there for the
season and, bearing this IN mind, it
was only natural she should be very care
full to keep on good terms with one who
was SO very indispensable to her. Deep
down in the girls shallow pretense Of a
heart there lurked q ranking jealousy
for the delicate, aristocratic, still beau
tiful woman who had been her fathers
wife. Sheila had never quite understood
Constance Fraser, and she was just a lit
tie bit afraid of her she knew how bit
ter the sweet, refined voice could ring
sometimes, and how CONTEMPORARY the
pale lips could curve when occasion mer-
tied 1t. She felt vaguely that Mrs. Fra
ser knew her at her exact worth and
yet the young stepmother had never, by
word or sign, been anything Lut kind and
affectienately considerable TO the girl
whose guardian she was.
Sheia turned away from the mirror
with a frown, and throwing herself on her
lace-trimmed pillow, again tcok up her
letters. The frown vanished as she read
the warm and pressing invitations from
two or three of the best houses around te
luncheon, dinner, tea, and the like.
bah l am a fool - she said to her
self, and she laughed shortly. 81 was
only half awake just now, and what il
this girl is pretty how does that affect
me7 | am Miss Fraser. of Dinglewood
and heiress to a good bundled thousand
pounds. l don't think | need trouble
my head about a servant maids face :!
She read through the rest of her letters
and then rang her bell sharply. "Why
doesn't the girl come back? | must get
up. or Jack will be of before l have
half dressed ~
The bell rang sharply In the corridor
outside. but Audrey neither understood
nor Needed its purpose. She was very
frightened, and very full Of pity at that
particular moment.
She had gone direct, as Miss Fraser
- Al
room she knew it, because Bircham hao
pointed 1t cut to her the evening before
she had knocked gently, and on receiving
an answer, she had gone timidly in. The
room was large, airy and pretty; it wa,
hung with dainty chintz, and was, com
pared to Sheila's magnificent apartment
simple beyond description vet Audrey
felt, in a sudden and indescrbable way
that she liked it much better: it was 81
fresh and dainty locking, and there wa.
plenty of room TO move about A fir,
was burning brightly, and a large bow
of daffodils and tulips made a spot o.
color In the window. A woman, In /
white mob cap and large apron, was jus
placing a tray by the bedside, and Au
6rey, raising her eyes very nervously, saw
q delicate, lovely face lying on the pillow
''Who is it, Marshall?" inquired Mrs
Fraser In low, but singularly swee
voice.
IF you please, II am come from
Miss Fraser"
Audrey stammered out the message a
easily as she could. She was not exact
ly frightened, and yet her heart was fut
tesing, for she felt rather chqn saw tina
Mrs. Fraser's eyes were fixed upon her
Marshall was replying in brisk yet re
spectful way when her mistress stOppe,
her. She stretched out fragile hand
white as snow, toward the girl
"Who are your" she asked In eager
hurried tones. where do you com
from? Come nearer Come close
want to see your face. l."
IF you please, ma'am, this is Mis-
Fr~ser's new maid as Mrs. Thorngat
as got for her." said Marshall.
Mrs. Fraser had pushed herself up
bed; her deep blue eyes were shining lik
stars. and rush Of color had come int
her white cheeks. Involuntarily Andre