Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1907-09-07

CHAPTER VII

Enclh ITAStT was IL. &c ptAluibod
iu,ing the week that followed as to the
very apparent change that had come over
Jack Glendurwood. He came to Dingle-
wood nearly every day, but in an almost
pointed manner he gave ner % understand
that his visits were TO Mrs. Fraser, and
not TO herself
Sne racked her brain to find the real
reason. Was it jealousy of Beverley
Rochfort- with whom she certainly had
firted, though very mildly, since he had
colre on the scene; or was it caused by
the knowledge that, as day after day
went by, the poor Marquis of Iverne's
col dition grew worse, and he, John Glen
durwood, would be to a certainty in the
deal mans place and heir to The dukedom
before many months had elapsed2
The thought of this approaching event,
It need hardly be said, whetted Sheila's
eascTness and intense desire to become
Lord Johns acknowledged fisncee. She
might worry and think until she was
tired, but she would never guess 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 10 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 we'll when her furious temper and
hei virulent 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
mucr 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 ner.
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 a new and a delightful sen
satIon, Marshalrs patience and ready
will, more than pleasant and Der life sc
peaceful and happy thar she c,uld hardly
realize it was herself who lived 1t and not
another.
Mrs. Fraser made no further remark
aboGt Audrey's eyes, nor did she seem tC
recognize that vague, curious Likeness
that had 20 startled her. She was still
confined to her room. But she was no
dull she had plenty of visitors. Mis-
Frsser came first thing IN the morning
and chatted in a desutory fashion will
her stepmother, and after her came Mrs
Thorugate who was welcomed eagerly b,
the invalid.
Audrey was never in the room whei
the rector's wife called. out she Away
noticed how tenderly Mrs. Fraser spok
to her when Mrs. Thorngate had gon
away again, and what n flushed, cage
look there was on the wal face A
first Audrey had been afraid to meet Mis-
Frazer, but beyond frown ard a sharl
glance at the girl Sheila said nothing
she knew better than to object to an.
arrangement her stepmorher might make
One afternoon, toward the end of tn
week, Mrs. Fraser sent the girl out for
walk.
"You have sat long enough over tina
sewing; brisk walk will do you good
besides, l expect my lawyer down fror
London on-on important business"
Are you happy with me. my child ?
she asked In low tones, a sch soundin
as If 1t were behind her voice.
"Oh 1870 happy Ardrey CRIED
kneeling beside her. 81 wrote and toll
Jean how good you were TO me- and
heard from her this morning. She say
you must be an angel, and so l thin
you are"
kiss me-" murmured Constance Fra
sr, gazing up into the lovely eirlish fac
almost hungrily. certainly passionatel.
Audrey laid her cool lips on those {
the older woman.
81 love you" she whispered, Involul
tarily.
MY dear My dear!"
Mrs. Fraser chung to her for mon
emit, then with another kiss and a ten
der smile waved her on.
ut must be true, I feel 1t here" 81
said to herself, as she was alone. an
she pressed her hand to her heart. 90
heaven II this comes to me. how sha
/ thank Thee for Thy gooiness?"
Audrey soon equipped herself She I
longer wore the hideous black bonnie
but smaller one, with a bright crimsc
ribbon as a relief to her dark locks. Mr.
Fraser had sent Marshall into the vi
lage, and had bought he girl many ga
ments, which provoked wonder and i
tense pleasure in Audrey's breast. 81
could not bring herself to realize tn
they were all for her.
1t was a bitterly cold day, but Audr,
did not seem to feel it; she planted h
hands in her warm muf. and dane
along, singing gayly to herself from We
exuberance of spirit. The world W
beautiful, after also her simple, chill
ish heart determined. She was qui
rich, for she had four good friends
there was her sweet mistress, and de
Mrs. Thorngate, and Marshall, and XII
Arthur She did not know which s
liked best. She walked down one Of t
secluded paths, and shrank so S
thought, out of sight as she saw a par
of people coming up from tue lake, whe
skating was in high swing. Sheila,
a magnificent sealsizin, with a cap
match, on her rudy hair, was walk
beside Beverley Rochfort. She look
bored, as indeed she was, and cross, tC
into the bargain, for there was ia
still chatting to plain Louisa Evere
and be had not been near her all t