Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-07-18
tire. with step as buoyant as an,
young gentleman Of twenty-five.
CHAPrEI. II.
A Wicked Woman.

Once out of his house, the spasm OF
gratitude toward her brother. which
had for a moment subdued Kate Mar
tin, vanished as quickly as it had come
With quick revulsion of feeling, she
muttered, bitterly:
II have lost all the power over him
once possessed. For. weeks-yes, for
months past-I have felt that 1t was so,
but never dreamed that there was an
other woman's influence working
against mine, till I heard this rumor
about Clarice Mowbray. He's oves
head and ears in love with the girl-ab,
solutely submerged! Well, we'll, true
enough-no fool like an old fool! There
is but one hope, perhaps the girl won't
marry him; but that's slender chance.
She's one of the dutiful kind, and the
parents won't let such a catch as Gray
son, the millionaire, slip through their
fingers. Then, Philip has some hold
over the father, and he'll use his pow
err. May all ill-luck fall on her! She
comes between me and wealth-bound-
less wealth-such as have longed for,
schemed for, prayed for all my life:
How can I prevent it? What plan can
hit upon to break off this marriage?'
ooh. if Shirley Austin could but re-
turn. or if I could in some way suggest
to Glare Mowbray a reasonable doubt
of his death! That, at least, can do.
I will call there this very day. But. no.
it is too late now, for Philip is already
with her. But will write-yes, an an
onymous letter. She Will never marry
him while she thinks Austin alive. And
in the meantime, who knows what may
happen? Philip may die-I wish he
would die before he marries Clarice
Mowbray, or makes will in her favor,
for then all he possesses would come to
me, as next of kin. Poor Robert does
not count. for can wind him round my
finger!"
Walking rapidly and thinking so in
tently that she pursued her way home
as one walking in her sleep, Mrs. Mar
tin turned sharply into a side street,
and saw before her, going in the same
direction, familiar figure which she
presently recognized. .as:
Her pace moderated, and she proceed
ed more leisurely. Her gaze fastened
itself, with cruel, calculating intent
ness, on that bent, slow-moving, sad
figure.
A horrible thought flashed into her
mind-a thought so horrible that at first
she shuddered and grew cold: then her
eyes suddenly emitted 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. 3.
She quickened her pace, and for a
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 L
am to see you out in the glad, bright
sunshine!" "-l.
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 grief
not with years, for he was only ten
years older than Philip. ra. "a
His hair was worn long, and, being
white as snow, gave him patriarchial
appearance, for the habitual expression
Of his face was gentle and sad. !
His pale, blue eyes had a vacant look
something far away, as Of person
who did not live in the present, but In
some remote though sad memories-a
past that, at times, however, brought
with it the shadow Of unspeakable mis-
cry. w..
Have you walked far, dear?" Mrs.
Martin asked Of her brother.
''No-I scarcely know how far, but I
don't think have been out more than
an hour. I have rambled about just
for the sake of enjoying the sunshine.
Have you been shopping?" =,
eyes, for while; then went to call
on brother Philip"
Robert Grayson started violently; a
dark flush mantled his pale face, and
his mild blue eyes flashed.
He drew himself up, standing still
and erect, and made an effort to with
draw his arm from his sister, but
she only leaned more heavily on it.
while she pressed her hand, with a firm,
reassuring touch, on his.
Forgive me for speaking a name so
hard for you to hear, Robert" she said,
in her sweetest and gentlest tone; "but
had business with Philip today,
which I think it my duty to tell you
about" p
1.-THE villain, the villain!" muttered
Robert Grayson. "Ah, Katie, I ought
to have killed him when I had the
power! Such chances do not come
twice in life!' T.
Wicked as she was monstrous as was
the thought which had grown now to
be a fixed purpose in her mind, Mrs.
Martin skuddered while she listened to
these words spoken by her elder broth
er-spoken with the calm deliberation
Of madness, for Robert Grayson was a
dangerous monomaniac, and this terri
BILE woman knew it.
8, Mrs. Martin considered a moment or
two before speaking her next words;
the even beating of her heart quickened
a trife, and she breathed hurriedly.
Then, as If nerving herself, she went on,
in low intense voices:
"Robert, our brother Philip has de-
termined at last, after all these years,
to-marry!"
Even as she spoke, and though they