The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-10-03
CHAPTER XXVU.

the little cottage a weary week after that
evening when Jean had crept down and
as gently as possible had told him of
Audrey's strange aversion to seeing him.
1T is only whim," Jean said, hur-
riedly; I'VE must humor her.
That same night it was, when they
were sitting alone in the tiny dining
room, that Jack suddenly poured out the
whole miserable story into jeans ears;
the story of that ball of how he had
been hoaxed into driving over to see Mr..
Benson, who had never sent for him. of
all the horrible things he had heard about
Audrey; and, lastly, of how he had come
upon her in the summer house, with Bev-
erley Rochfort at her feet kissing her
hands.
Put yourself in my place, and judge
as l judged. Do not view things as they
are now, or you will be harder upon me
than l deserve" he said, as he leaned
his weary, aching brow. on his hand.
II will not be hard upon you at all,
Lord John," Jean said, very gently; "for
l think l should have been misled as you
were by such apparently strong circum-
stantial evidence. | am glad you have
spoken out to me. and 1 only wish Au-
drey had done the same, for then we
might have arrived at the truth"
What is it you mean" Jack asked,
looking up at her, eagerly.
II mean that now am convinced that
Willie is right, and that there was some
plot connived against you both at that
ball. / have no definite proof, only
woman's intuition to work upon, but that
shall be enough. This must be sifted,
Lord John, sifted to the very dregs. l
love you both," she continued, tears dim
ming her eyes. You have been more
than good to me, and now that Audrey's
mother is gone feel l must be friend,
sister and mother in one. You will see
that l am right, and that you and my
dear one were both the victims of some
conspiracy. On the face of it the whole
affair is absurd. Don't you love each
other better than all the world? / shall
write to Willie and tell him all my
doubts"
And the result of that letter was to
put Willie Fullerton on the track of
Murray, whom Jean seemed convinced
could throw some light or the subject.
A week had gone, and Audrey was
wonderfully better: it was her first real
day of convalcscence, and Jean was sit
ting with her, reading. Downstairs Jack
was trying to comfort himself. when sud
denly familiar voice aceosted him, and
he found himself shaking hands with
Marshall. Marshall grown older, and
looking very wan in her simple black for
her beloved mistress. 1t somehow com
forted Jack to see her; she seemed to
bring back little of the sweet influence
that had surrounded Constance Fraser.
She had como direct from seeing Mr..
Fullerton, who had briefly told her all,
and she now asked to see Audrey at once.
'Let me nurse her, my lord" she en-
treated; 'hcr. my dear's own child, Will
you go up and tell her I'm here, my lord?
Perhaps I'd best not 60 straight without
saying"
Jacks face flushed he hesitated; then
he rose and went out of the room. He
could not bring himself to tell Mlrshall
he was forbidden his wife's presence.
He went steadily upstairs and stood
outside the door. The handle was turn
ed, and from within came the sound of a
faint, low voice. He meant to have call
ed Jean, but the sour1 OF that voice
stopped him.
1t was Audrey speaking. His heart
beat violently, then turned as cold az
iron in his breast. She was speaking of
him, but how bitterly! Each word seem
ed to 60 through him like a knife. Jsan
had been pleading bis cause, but he only
heard Audrey's answer.
"I refuse to see him, Jean: refuse u
hear his name mentioned again. ,rs.
yes ! know YOU think me foolish
child, a fretful invalid; but l am more
than this. l may not be very old in
years, but I have suffered as much as
any woman of fifty. Do you forget all
he wrote in that awful letter? Oh, Jean !!
Jean! You don't know how his words
have struck homs! He says l have
wronged him-I. who-who-who-''
Her voice grew choked for a moment,
but she soon mastered her emotion. mo,
Jean: there can be no friendship or kind
ly feeling between us. AS he has judged
me, so let me live: my pride and my
honor will support me without him.
i trust / shall never see him again; l
shall be happier when l know he is far
away. He said he was going on a tour
of the world. Why does he not start?
Why does he add to his former cruelty
by staying .hcrer'
! Audrey, you are unjust, you are un-
like yourself you judge your husband
most cruelty. If you could only know
how he has suffered--"
Audrey broke in with a hard, bitter
laugh.
'I see he has won your heart, Jean.
Well, we will say no more, except that 1
am firm. and that il Lord John has any
pride left he will not force himself upon
me, but so at once"
But Jack heard no more; he did not
know that the hard, contemptuous tone
suddenly broke with little gasping sob a.;
he did not see the thin, small hands cover