The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-07-20
tire, with a step as buoJant as any
young gentleman OF twenty-five.
CHAPTER II.
A Wicked Woman.

Ak1N Iva q SSAAACA SAUAAS0 e
tin, vanished az quickly Al 1t had come
With q quick revul.ion, Of feeling, she
mutfered, bitterly: r. -
's"I.have lost allsthe power over him
once possessed. For weeks--yes, Toy
months past-I have felt that 1t was 80
but I never dreamed that there was an
other. woman's influence working
against mine, till I heard this .ranol
about Clarice Mowbray. He's owe:
head and ears in love with the. girl-ab-
solutely submerged! Well, well. true
enough-no fool like an old fool! There
Is but one hope, perhaps the girl won't
marry him; but-that's'a slshder chance.
She's one OF the dutiful kind, and the
parents won't let such q catch as Gray
son, the millionaire, slip through their
fingers. Then. Philip has some hold
owe the father, and he'll use his pow
er. May all M-luck fall on her! She
comes between me and wealth-bound-
less w~ealth-such as I have longed FOR,
schemed for. prayed for all my life!
How can ! prevent It? What plan can
I hit upon to break OF this marriage?"
ooh. IL Shirley Austin could but re-
turn, or IL I could in some way suggest
to Glare Mowbray a reasonable doubt
Of his death! That, at least, I can do.
I will call there this very day. But, no,
1t is too late now, for Philip is already
with her. But I will write-yes. an an
onymous letter. She will never marry
him while she thinks Austin alive. And
the meantime, who knows what-may
happen? Philip may die-1 wish he
would die before he marries Clarice
Mowbray, Or makes a will In her favor;
for then all he possesses would come to
me, as next of kim Poor Robert does
not count, for I can wind him round. my
finger!" !. &:
walking rapidly, and thinking. So I'M
tently that she pursued her way home
as one walking in her sleep, Mrs. Mar
tin turned sharply into q side street.
and saw before her, going in the same
direction, a familiar figure which
presently recognized.
Her pace moderated, and she proceed-
ed more leisurely. Her gaze fastened
itself, with a cruel. calculating intent
ness, on that bent. slow-moving. sad
figure. ! Fe
A horrible thought flashed into her
mind-a thought so horrible that at first
she shuddered and grew cold; then her
eyes suddenly emitted q wicked, steel.
like glitter. She set her thin, cold lips
together, and muttered below her
breath words she would have feared
even her own ears to hear.
She quickened her pace, and for q
few minutes walked SO rapidly that she
was soon alongside Of the figure, she
had recognized; and then she slipped
her hand gently through the old mans
arm, and said. in low, caressing tones:
'Why, brother Robert. How glad =
am to see you out In the glad, bright
sunshine!"
With a slight start Robert Grayson
turned, and, recognizing his sister.
smiled affectionately and patted the
hand that rested on his arm.
Robert was very pale and slender.
His tall figure was bent, but 1t was
with the weight Of some great grlef-
not with years. for he was only ten
years older than Philip.
His hair was worn long, and, being
white as snow, gave him q patriarchial
appearance, for the habitual expression
Of his lace was gentle and sad.
His pale, blue eyes had a vacant look
something far away, as Of q person
who did not live in the present, but IN
some remote though sad memories
mast that, at times, however, brought
with II the shadow Of u~nspeakable mis-
cry. Ss Y
"Have you walked far. dear?" Mrs.
Martin asked Of her brother.
: .No-I scarcely know how far. but !
don't think I have been out more than
an hour. I have rambled7 about just
for the sake Of enjoying the sunshlne
Have you been shopping"
"Yes, for a while; then I went to call
on brother Philip"
Robert Grayson started violently; q
dark flush mantled his pale race, ana
his mild blue eyes flashed.
He drew himself up. standing still
and erect. and made an eftor to with
draw his arm from his sister, but
she only leaned more heavily on It,
while she pressed her hand, with q hrm,
reassuring touch, on his.
Forgive me for speaking a name 30
hard for you to hear, Robert" she said.
her sweetest and gentlest tone; 'but
I had business with Philip to-day,
which L think 1t my duty to tell you
about"
..The villain. the villain!'" muttered
Robert Grayson. ..Ah, Katie, I ought
to have killed him when had q
power! Such chances do not conn
twice in life!"
Wicked al she a monstrous az was
the thought which had grown low. 7