Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-07-18
CHAPTER 1.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
$ my brother at home?"

speaker; and, after showing her into
her orders.
"Say that would be glad to see him
Immediately"
Again the servant replied: eyes,
madam" and with respectful bow,
left the room.
With an impatient sigh, Mrs. Martin
sank into one Of the deep, soft, velyety
arm chairs, but was apparently in no
mood to enjoy its ease and luxury, for
she beat time to thoughts that were
evidently unpleasant on the thick car
pet, and then drummed with her gloved
fingers on the arm Of the chair.
AS the minutes passed she grew more
impatient, and half-muttered her
thoughts aloud:
''To think that this upstart girl is to
regal apartments-of his boundless
wealth! Oh, shall choke With rage!
But it Shall not De-never. never, new
er! Not, at least, if 1 have any Of the
power once possessed over this head
strong brother of mine!"
Starting to her feet. she walked
across the room and paused in front Of
one of the long mirrors that reached
from the ceiling to the floor, rejecting
not only her own still youthful and ele-
giant figure, but half the magnificent
furniture of the apartment besides, and
she could not fail to see that her ap-
pearance. though giving evidence Of no
such wealth, was yet quite in harmony
with her surroundings.
~ She was handsome, blonde. blue-eyed,
with resolute mouth and chin, a cold,
calculating smile that was extremely
fascinating, however, for it showed
teeth like pearls between lips brighter
than the reddest rose. and a profusion
of glittering golden hair.
70 Her attire was largely made up Of
satin and velvet, but her jewels-too
numerous for good taste-were not of
the first quality: the lace trimmings
on her dress We're imitation; the tulle
veil drawn across her fluffy hair and
over her face to conceal the pearl pow
der and the faint touch Of rouge, was of
-, cheap quality.
- In short, her appearance and costume
betrayed a subtle lack of style and of
that substitute for style--money-wh
would have been evident at a glance to
q precticed eye.
b. 1t was sufficiently evident to herself,
and frown speedily replaced the smile
with which she had at first greeted her
1 own reflection. sts %.uAI.1. ~.
-il.s't"I must wear second-rate satin and
velvet" she thought, with imitation
lace and Jewels, while she will be robed
in priceless brocades, cashmeres from
! India and Persia, laces fit for a queen
q and jewels worthy to sparkle on a
princess for her plebian neck and arms
But it serves me right-fool that was!
. I would take love in a cottage-and
n where is 1t now? have neither the
love, for which gave all else, nor the
solid comforts that might help me to
20 DO without it. Fool-fool! And only
81 myself to blame for it," ....
- Bitter tears Of rage and modification
!. started to her eyes, and, with an impa-
tient gesture, she turned contemptu-
>ously from the glass to find herself In
q the presence of her brother, who had
Just entered the room.
He approached with outstretched
hand and greeted her cordially.
''Ah. my dear Kate! 1t is always a
pleasure to see you!" .--.s. ,e.zs &.
II hope you will think IT as much a
pleasure when you know my errand
here Philip" returned his sister, TAX
ling his hand with an earnestness that
might easily pass for warmth.
), She approached her former chair and
sank into it again, while Mr. Grayson
took a seat close beside her. looking at
Si,er with half-amused, half-Qlestion.
ling smile. =" ~ @'iif H-+'1S4 w.
"You know of old, Phil" pursued the
lady, "that never beat about the bush
%whcn have anything to say or do"
j 81 have always admired your decis-
Ion Of character. my dear Kate. even
when could not quite agree with the
&ccurse you have pursued. You know
Sjust what you want. and go for it with
"a directness not characteristic of your
Sex 10 - ~ x, '+--.ff'''
perhaps this is the reason. I so sell
dom get it, was the bitter rejolnder
$'However, that's not to the purpose
Character cannot be changed, and act
according to mine--and as usual,
@shall come to the point at once. Is II
S;true, as hear, that you are going tc
marry Clarice Mowbray?"
1t Is quite true, as you seem 70 nave
%heard, that have proposed to her, and
equally true that I mean to marry hel
Elf she will have me-"
"Ah. then she hasn't promised yet?'
asked Mrs. Martin, with q slight Sigh
<ci relief. ..,sss >4s;s 5IraT
s mo; hut her parents have both said
Eyes and there is little ,doubt-at least
II hope so-that snail finally obtafI
EClare's consent ..r {i,; afz:es+
! And. With pardorable vanity. Mr.
t(1rayson. looked into the cleaning, pol
&ished mirror over the mantlepiece il
front Of him. -....
Tle was handsome dark, almost for
sSign-lookins man, and although of mid
$tlie age as to years. his clear eyes hat
asall the brilliancy of youth. there wa!
mot u thread o. silver in his hair. ant
his figure was erect, 1.-THE and almos
sslender.
: He smiled. for he knew that there
twas not one out,iof every ten girls IL
&the set in whichille moved who Woult
Loot accept With joy an offer OF mar
f;rlage from him.
~ s.vo,,. v,oiIn Philip and Won have a;