Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-07-25
III.
An Unwilling Bride.


so much is expected in youth, that the
talent of ten ordinarily clever men
would hardly suffice TO realize such
expectations.
But he had reached the middle age
without accomplishing anything in par
~tIcular, except to become the husband
OF a pretty and silly young woman, and
subsequently the father of a very love-
1y daughter.
AS the most ordinary young man can
often accomplish this much. and even
more. 1t was not regarded as an extra
ordinary achievement on the part or
young Mowbray. Rather the contrary,
for when he had reached middle age
and was admitted to be a failure by his
warmest friends. those who sought TO
excuse and TO justify their own past
enthusiasm, declared that his foolish
marriage had ruined him.
Anyway, whatever the cause. the fact
was there, glaring and undeniable.
Poor Mowbray was a failure-an
unlucky fellow who always came 20
grief-worse still-whose ventures al
ways brought others to grief. also,
when ~foolhardy enough to join him In
them"
His latest effort had been In Wall
street. and 1t was Philip Grayson who
had held out a friendly hand.
But Mowbray's customary ill-luck
pursued him: his venture was a losing
one, and entailed equal loss on Gray
sou.
Philip only laughed good-naturedly.
The loss was a trifie to him. n he had
already fallen in love with Clarice. He
told the fathe of the existence of this
tender sentiment, and asked for her
hand in marriage. promising to settle
upon her the bull of his fortune, II
also to make such provision for her
parents as would place them in affiu-
ence the rest of their lives.
Mowbray accepted the rich sutton
with cffusion. In his daughters rame,
he promised that the wedding should
take place within a month. Then, al
most embracing his future son-in-law,
he addressed Philip affe~ctionately as
.sDear boy!" wrung Philips hand with
quite natural heartiness. and flew TO ac-
quaint his daughter with the happiness
in store for her-for hinlself--for eV-
erybody.
The interview between Brian Now
bray and Philip Grayson had taken
place in III downtown office of the lat
ter gentleman, and the prospective
father-in-law had promised TO call tnat
same evening at the m~illionaire's nome.
to bring with him the joyful news OF
the bride-elect's consent.
This proposal somewhat disconnected
the ardent lover. who would ave pre-
ferred to rush at once to his love n
do his own counting: but when Now
bray strongly represented h timidity
of his daughter. and the likelihood that
her maidenly delicacy might take alarm
at such hasty and unexpected wooing,
Philip felt constrained to take the faith
er's advice TO proceed more slowly.
Mowbray took the quickest way home
his vivid imagination already revel-
ing in the pleasures 10 be enjoyed at
the expense of his rich son-in-law.
lie a just reached his own door.
when. like . cold shower bath. came
the remembrance OF his daughters pas
slonate attachment to young Austin.
and the engagement, sanctioned both
by his wife and himself, before Shir-
ley's departure for Australia. two years
before.
1T was madness for me TO have given
my consent" he half-murmured, for
getting that Shirley Austin had then
seemed an excellent match for his pref
" but penniless daughter. But the
fellow is dead. thank heaven, n the
devils In il IL the girl is going 10
thwart me now, when / have a chance
of making all our fortunes-with her
help. But, pshaw. III stand no nom
sense. She must accept Grayson. and
gladly, gratefully, too. Her mother
can weep and l can look heart-broken,
and Clare is a good c~hild-bless her
heart"
With his comforting reflection, Mr..
Mowbray FASTENED to acquaint his ram
fly with the joyful news he carried.
Clarice Mowbray was, as her father
said, a good child but, as he soon
learned. she-had, where her heart was
concerned, gone far beyond childhood.
She was a woman with all a woman's
determination and strength where her
affection was placed: and when her
father first preached the subject OF a
marriage between her and Philip Gray
son, ne was met with a prompt and Wig
orous refusal.
Mowbray stormed. entreated. threat
ened-all in vain. Clarice answered,
firmly:
mo. father; never will I promise to
marry MI. Grayson while my hand and
heart both belong to Shirley AUSTIN
but Austin is dead, girl. / tell you!
You can't marry a dead mani" thun-
dered Mowbray, becoming indiscreetly
coarse n rough.
Clarice grew pale, but she shook her
head and answered. quietly:
.Of this l have no convincing proof
yet. An die umo Is not sufficisnt ev-
idcnce to my mind OF n calamity SO ter
rible as Sh~irley's death would be"
Then. IL not dead, he is worse!" pur-
sued her father, cruelty. You have
had no word from him for more than q
year. If ne is still living. what kind oi
a lover do you call that? He has for
gotten you and married some other girl
long ago. Australia Is a long way Off,
and two years-the period of your en-
gagement, II 1 remember correctly--a
long time to walt. Austin has wisely
consoied himself with some one not SO
far away from the city OF New York.