Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-09-26

when she first returned on the previous
day.
"And much good may 1t do her, my
lear girls. Perhaps we m get along
just as well, though we are dependent
upon her bounty to do us justice"
"oh, mamma, don't say anything hard
of Clarice!' said Bertha. warmly. I'm
sure she will do all tnat's fair and hon
orable by u.s."
Yes, ma said Lefty. ''Uncie Robert
told us that he was quite sure young
Mrs. Grayson would carry out all his
brothers wishes, and he thinks she's
just lovely!'
"Oh, indeed!' exclaimed Mrs. Martin,
grinding her white teeth in silent rage.
"Oh, why couldn't I leave her wretch
ed and gain Philips money, too" she
thought. But something must be sac
riiced. and 1 suppose 1t must be re-
venge."
She quickly changed the subject, n
the mother and daughters chatted away
about more pleasing things. and Mrs.
Martin forgot everything for a little
while.
When DR.. Bethune called on the fol-
lowing day, Mrs. Martin took care to
open the door for him herself. The
young physician was so pale N worn
hat she could not forbear remarking
IL.
yes" he answered, my mind has
been disturbed about my patient and
he passed her quickly and FASTENED up
the stairs.
Mrs. Martin followed. more leisurely,
and, as soon as he had entered Austin's
fanna cha fiauv IN tho aUnC6rnnninp
closet.
But she heard nothing to reward her.
Or. Bethune stayed but a few minutes,
and TO Austin's eager question. if he
might soon venture to call on Clarice,
answered that it all depended upon
himself.
The doctor then administered some
medicine ind left, charging his patient
TO be calm and hopeful, and promising
the chance that Shirley might venture
out within a few days.
Three days passed in this manner
and Mrs. Martin began to chafe with
impotence, but at last she was reward
ed by hearing a conversation that was,
to her, of the deepest Importance, TAX
place between Austin and DE-. Bethune.
The two young men We're already in
conversation, and the first words she
heard when she reached the listening
place gave her to understand that Shir-
ley had been entreating his physician to
allow him TO make an effort to see Clar-
ice.
You see, my dear Frank. I have been
up now for several hours every day for
some time. / feel 1t would do me good
and not harm to be out; and, oh, If you
but knew how my soul cries out for her
more thar ever now j know that she is
free! And what must she think OF me
that ] have not sooner sought her?
Since her husband is dead, she must ask
herself a thousand times a day, why
does not Shirley come, If he has really
been faithful to ma? Why does he not
come. If only to upbraid me?' All.
Frank, / cannot bear it any longer! I
must see her or die"
And you shall see her this day, IL
o are equal to II: but you have much
to hear in the meantime. Yes, you are
TO hear me as you physician. and after
that as your friend. The fever from
which you lave suffered is at last over
come. therefore. care and attention to
my directions is all that you require.
For the rest, / agree with you that sus-
pense and anxiety are more wearing
than even the serious responsibility you
will presently find yourself burdeJed
with. The man whom Clarice Now
bray married is dead, 1t Is true, but his
death was of a tragic and awful char
acter. He was murdered In broad day
light, n there are circumstances in
regard to the murder Of so mysterious
and singular a character that suspicion
has, quite naturally, fixed on you as the
murderer"
A smothered exclamation of horror or
indignation, and a movement which in
dicated that Austin had sprung violent
ly from his chair, was all thai the list
ener heard in answer to these words:
and, poor, though she considered her
self. Mrs. Martin would, at that mo-
ment, have given a large sum of money
for h privilege Of seeing Shirley's face.
That being impossible, her a was
more closely pressed 20 the partition. in
order that she might make up for be-
ing unable to use her eyes.
You must kweep calm, Austin.' she
heard Or. Bethune say. In an impera-
tive tone. You know / would not tell
you this IL I could help It." and he pro-
ceeded to put. In the briefest and sim
plest words, the story of Philip Gray
sons death and all the attendant cir
cumstances. as well as he knew them,
concluding with: II nave kept every
newspaper accent of the tragedy since
II happened. and / have even played the
SPY in your service. The two strong
points against you are the weapon with
which the murder was committed, and
which Mrs. Grayson at once acknowl,
edged to belong to her. while her moth
er was frightened into saying some-
thing about her daughter having re-
ceive9 the ~stiletto from you. That, of
itself, is not much. but II is supposed
that you possessed yourself of the still
etto in the church at the time when
Clarice tainted In your arms; but, OF
course, 1t is h simplest thing In the
world for you to dlsprove that by ac-
counting for your time from that mo-
ment until you fell insensible at Mrs.
Martins, the same evening. AS your
physician, I will account for your time
since then, end be your bondsman, If
necessary. The second and strongest
point against o Is known only to the
private detective in charge OF the case
and 10 the good Samaritan in whcs,
house you now are--Mrs. Martin, the