Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-22
CHAPTER TX
Robert GraysOn.

The detective parted from Mrs. Mar
tin at the foot of the stairs. and she de-
termined to go home, for she could see
nothing to gain by further delay.
She desired. also, to be alone, and to
collect her thoughts, which were in a
whirl from the rapid and varying sue
cession of events.
Having summoned a carriage, she re-
manned leaning against the lower ban
mister of the stairs awaiting it; and, all
at once, she realized that she was faint
with hunger. WEAKNESS and excitement.
1t was at that moment that Susan ap-
preached her, and noticed the evidence
of fatigue and WEAKNESS.
The girl had good cause to feel
friendly toward Mrs. Martin, and it oc.
Cured to her now that there might be
a tronger reason than eve for culti-
waiting the lady's kindness.
"Oh, ma'am, how weary o look
and you must be quite faint with hun
ger! Do, please, let me get you some
thing! Or IL you will come into this
breakfast room"
II believe 1 am almost faint" Mrs.
Martin answered, accepting Susan's
suggestion and following the girl into
the breakfast room, where h dropped,
exhausted, into the chair that Susan
quickly placed for her.
Al the same moment the silver
tongued clock on the mantel chimed the
hour of four.
-Four o'clock" she exclaimed, count
ing the strokes. mo wonder L feel eX-
hausted. rhave not tasted food since
an early breakfast this morning. Yes,
thank you, Susan. / will take a little OF
something, for / must not let myself
break down altogether"
Susan served a tempting little lunch
con OF cold chicken, a biscuit. a plate of
salad a glass of champagne; and.
Notwithstanding the gloom Of the
house and the CHASTITY association OF
the time. Mrs. Martin had new in her
life eaten with greater relish or benefit
to herself.
BY the time the carriage was an
nounced she felt herself almost a new
being, she was so thoroughly refreshed.
AS she FASTENED toward the carriage
she turned for a moment to Susan.
There are strange doings in this
house, Susan" she said, almost In a
Whisper. heep a WdtCnIul eye OH cN-
erything and everybody, and you will
do me a favor. You TOY that you
may depend on my friendship. IL you
should ever need II. You understand
me-. Susan"
Yes. ma'am," Susan answered, with
emphasis, and Mrs. Martin knew that
she had left a pair of eyes as vigilant
almost, as her own, to look after her
interests.
AS the carriage rolled along toward
her home, she leaned back in the soft
cushioned seat and felt almost as IL
that fine equipage was her own. Many
comforting thoughts. that in h whirl
ana confusion of the past few hours she
had not been calm enough to reflect on,
now passed through her Eaind with
pleesurable suggestions.
She half-shuddered to remember how
often in the past Few weeks she hao
wished that Philip might die before he
could marry Clarice Mowbray. He had
not so died, and how much better, per-
haDs, that events had turned out as
they had; for now was she no heir-
at law TO all - enormous wealth?
She did not Il " very much Of law,
but she felt qut 3 Gure of one point
marriage revoksc all wills executed be-
fore marriage, and poor, dear Philip
had not had time to make a new will,
whatever his intention might havs