The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-09
III FATAL, ... =: =: =: !:
. ELIZABETH
M11annia@e, , =.

CHAPTER Xxvl-lCOntinued.)
He saw that she was quite master of
the situation. and that he was helpless
to move her by any further threats. At
all times he knew that Clarice could
only be governed through her affections
and now she had nothing more to fear
where Ter affections were most ardent
ly placed; her lover lived, she was
convinced Of his c%onstancy. h could
prove his innocence, and he was walt
ing t. throw himself at her feet.
But even yet Mowbray would not give
up. Shirley, perhaps, did not yet know
how matters stood. There was one
chance yet, and he might be able to
prevent them from meeting.
"You believe all you say, Clarice," he
said, slowly, watching the effect of his
words. but you may find how mistaken
you are when Shirley Austin stands IN
the murderer's dock"
Clarice turned pale. and for a moment
her resolution seemed shaken; but the
color returned to her face, she smiled
proudly, and said:
Shirley Austin will never stand IN
the murderer's dock"
"Mowbray left the room and hurried
to his wife's apartment. She. at least,
never defied him, and her power over
Clarice remained unchanged.
you must reason with Clare" he
said, abruptly, cor else she will ruin
everything by marrying that fool. Aus
tin, and throw away the magnificent
fortune we have worked so hard to win
Tor her."
What dc you mean, dear?" inquired
his wife looked quite pleased. HAS
Shirley come back again? You know 1
thought 1t was very cruel of you to
prevent Clare from seeing him. Brian,
he has always loved her, and h will
never be happy apart from him."
Mowbray stamped his foot with i'm
patience, and seized his wife by the
arm with a grasp that panied her.
Brian, you are hurting me! Are you
going to strike me?' she asked. pite-
ously, and he shrank in fear.
She was the one creature left In the
world now who believed in Brian Now
bray, and he felt a curious shock at
feeling her shrink away from him in
alarm. His grasp relaxed, and he
placed his arm about her slight but still
graceful figure.
Don't be foolish, my darling! You
know I am more anxious for o than
for myself" he said, with an appear
ance of much tenderness. IF Clarice
acts with such folly, We will be again
reduced to poverty; so will she; for
Austin has returned poorer h when
he went away =
but, II she loves him, Brian, dear,
her happiness is surely of more conse-
quence than all this wealth, which she
can't enjoy. Why, she's worn nothing
but plain black since she came into this
grand house. OF curse she can't help
that, being a widow, but even before
poor dear Mr.. Grawson was murdered
in that awfully cruel way, Clarice did
not take take one bit of pleasure in her
lovely clothes. So unlike a girl of her
age, and SO unlike her, too, when she
used to be happy! Now If h marries
Shirley, it will be ali so different; be-
cause we won't be reduced. to poverty
at all. Brian, you forget! Our annuity
is for life, and quite enough to max us
very comfortable; while Clarice will
have a third in spite of the will, and
that will be a handsome fortune in it
self. Oh, 1t will be just charming! I
shall see her happy and light-hearted
again, and I will have the comfort of
seeing her beautiful and appreciative
OF the lovely dresses I shall select for
her."
Mowbray turned away with a NUT
tered oath.
FOOL" he growled, under his breath.
LET her only have money enough Tor
fine dresses, and some one as simple as
herself to talk with about them, and
she cares for nothing else"
He strobe away, and, selling his hat,
went out into the street.
The chances of retaining the prev
ileges of Philip Grawson's wealth be-
came smaller and smaller. He began
TO wish the murderer, whoever 1t was,
would rid the world Of Shirley Austin;
for then Clarice would marry.
But instead Of that, he must mak up
his mind to see Mrs. Martins schemes
succeed just where his had failed.
He wondered where Austin was. Ha
the young man perhaps left the city?
Perhaps he could so work matters as
to make Shirley do so. IL he could but
and the fellow.
And then he remembered the letter Of
Mrs. Martin which he had intercepted.
She must know where Shirley could be
found, and with that thought he turned
his steps to finding her-for he knew
where she lived.
But Mowbray found Mrs. Martin a
changed woman-so changed that she
no longer seemed the woman. whom he
had feared as a formidable rival fn his
own schemes for wealth.
Bertha and her mother had returned
from their visit to the clergyman whose
name had been used on the copy in
closed to them Of Letty's marriage GER
tificate.
To their horror, they learned that the
use Of the clergyman's name was a for
gerry, the ceremony o mockery, and the
man who performed 1t, whoever he
was, an imposter.
It had been cleverly done; but even II
It had been clumsily accomplished, poor
Lefty had been too innocent to suspect
q fraud.
Mrs. Martin was quite broken down.
and even the sight of her old enemy
could not rouse her to any show Of re-
sistance.
II know nothing of. Mr.. Austin" she
raid. In a. brokenlY0ice 9Th hand Of