The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-04-06
THE CHARITY GIRL
By EFFIE A. ROWLANDS
Iv.-(Continued.)
Nv EFFIE A. ROWLANDS

trying to force MS way into 'he "A
of the upper ten. His money. MS po-
litical views, and his power, as determln-
cd bv the fact of his being large en-
ployer of labor, and, therefore, OF con-
trolling large percentage OF votes
brought about an acquaintance. and then
a friendship, with Sir Edwin Gascoigne.
an impecunious but most aristocratlc
taronet. By Sir Edwin's AID. Mr. Fra
ser was returned in the Conservative
cause. and his step planted On the first
ring of the ladder. He was decidedly
clever man, and although too mean and
niggardly to be altogether popular, ne
was not long in finding some friends.
Among these, however, could not be class
ed Constance Gascoigne, Sir Edwards
second and only surviving daughter. MISS
Gascoigne was very beautiful! GIRL out
she had won the reputation CT having
bitter and unkind tongue. Every one
knew that Constance Gascoigne did not
share in her fathers infatual.On for MIR.
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 Constance's women friends who
still discussed the subject.
"There has been something mysterious
about the girl for the last two years y
cried Mrs. Fanfare, the biggest scandal
monger Of the time, land l for one al
ways thought that young Frank Anstru-
theirs sudden death had a great deal to
do with it. Constance was ;Dadly in love
with him, poor girl! Well, she has done
very we'll in one sense. This Fraser man
Is rolling in money-pos lively rolling
my dear"
In vague, yet uncertain, way Sheila
felt that it was only through her step
mothers popularity and undoubted social
position that she was received and well
coined as the friend of the county fami-
lies around the neighborhood, and pos
sessed the entree of the !,est 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 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 lit
tie bit afraid of her; she knew how bit
ter the sweet, refined voice could ring
sometimes, and how contemptuously the
pale lips could curve when occasion mer-
tied it. She felt vaguely that Mrs. Fra
ser knew her at her exact worth; and
yet the young stepmother lad never, by
word or sign, been anything lut kind and
affectionateiy considerate TO the girl
whose guardian she was.
Sheila turned away from the mirror
with frown, and throwing herself on her
lace-trimmed pillow, again tt-ok up her
letters. The frown vanished As she read
the warm and pressing invitations from
two or three of the best houses around to
luncheon, dinner, tea, and the like.
bah! l am a fool !" she said to her
self, and she laughed shortly. II was
only half awake just now, and what if
this girl is pretty, how does that affect
me2 l am Miss Fraser, of Dingewood,
and heiress to a good hundred thousand
pounds l don't think l need trouble
my head about servant maids facet"
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 off 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
had commanded her, to Mrs. Fraser's
room she knew it, because BRIGHAM had
pointed it out 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 was
hung with dainty chintz, and was, COM
pared to Sheila's magnificent apartment.
simple beyond description; vet Audrey
felt, in sudden and indescribabIe way.
that she liked 1t much better: it was so
fresh and dainty looking, and there was
plenty of room to move about A fire
was burning brightly, and a large bowl
of dafodils and tulips made spot of
color in the window. A woman, in a
white mob cap and large apron, was lust
placing tray by the bedside. and An
drey, raising her eyes very nervously. saw
delicate. lovely face lying on the pillow.
"Who is it, MarshaIl2" INQUIRED Mrs.
Fraser In a low, but singularly sweet
voice.
''If you please, IL am come from
Miss Fraser"
Audrey stammered out the message "a
easily as she could. She was not exact.
~ frightened. and yet her heart was Aut.
tering, for she felt rather than saw th,t
Mrs. Fraser's eyes were Fixed upon her
Marshall was replying in brisk vet re-.
spectful way when her mistress STONED
her. She stretched out fragile hand.
white as snow. toward the girl.
Who are your" she asked in eaver
hurried tones. "Where do Won coma
from? Come nearer! Come closet I
want to see your face. Il"
IT you please, ma'am, this Is Miss
EfAser's new maid as Mrs. Thornsate
as got for her," said Marshall.
Mrs. Fraser had pushed herself mn IN
bed; her deep blue eyes were shining like
starr. and a rush of color had come in+o
her white cheeks. Involuntarily Audrey
had drawn nearer, and had put her small
or ina c.