Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-08-01
CHAPTER Nv. Continued,

don't care IL he does. / am not re-
sponsible for the acts OF a madman!"
She raped again, sharply, no answer
having been given TO her first knock.
But still there came no answer.
Mrs. Martin knocked a third time,
louder than before; but no sound came
from within. She then tried the door,
and found IL was locked, and had just
lifted the carved handle OF her parasol,
that she might try a louder summons,
when her daughter Bertha. who was
impatient TO start. cried out:
II don't think Uncle Robert Is in his
room, mamma / saw him at the front
door nearly an hour ago. He was
dressed in all his best, and 1 guess he's
gone to the wedding by himself"
8 much the better" thought Mrs.
Martin, darkly. He must have hao
some plan in his crazy head. after all"
She was Fastening toward the car
rage. and was just stepping In. when
some rev thought crossed her mind,
and she turned toward the house again.
What is Il. mammal" exclaimed
Bertha and Lefty. In one breath.
Just to leave my p~arasol. girls. I'll
have no need Of II. I forgot the car
riage."
She entered the house, flung the para
sol On the first chair she came to, and
quickly glided again to the door OF her
brothers room.
This time she did not knock, but.
bending her head, listened intently at
the keyhole for some moments.
There was a look of perplexity on her
WAGE. INT she murmured:
He can't be there-He must have
gone!"
Still more closely she placed her ear
TO the keyhole, and held her breath
while she listened.
The silence was broken by Letty's
voice, tremulous with tears.
why don't you come, mamma? 1t
will be all over before we get therei"
Mrs. Martin saised her hand with an
impatient jerk.
II can't make II OUT" she said.
And she FASTENED from the house and
Into the carriage. directing the coach
man to drive quickly. and reassuring
her impatient daughters the next mo-
ment:
I'VE have abundant time. II Is only
a few minutes after eleven"
The coachman made good time, but
there was a goodly GROVE within the
church then Mrs. Martin arrived, and
led In her two pretty daughters.
AS they walked mp the aisle on their
way to the pew set aside for the rela-
tives Of the bridal party, the elder lady
kept a sharp lookout for her brother
Robert.
He was not in the pew to which she
WIS ushered. nor could she see him
anywhere in the church.
Presently the bride entered. leaning
on the arm of the groomsman: and the
bridegroom. with a well known fash
ionabie belle as chief bridesmaid: then,
bringing up the rear, a grand process
sion of extra bridesmaids, with their
partners.
In a few minutes Mrs. Martin, feel
Ing dazed, as though all she saw must
: be unreal as a dream, heard the words
of the marriage service, but her gaze
roved In every direction except toward
h altar.
She saw no sign of Robert Grayson
anywhere. However. the crowd about
the door was very dense, and he might
easily be there, although she could not
see him.
A little str at the upper end OF the
church drew her gaze in that direction.
and she saw that the ceremony was
over; the brief prayer and benediction
a been pronounced, and the happy
pair were surrounded by congratulate
Ing friends.
Clarice was Philips wife-irrevoca-
bly, his wife now until death should
part them.
Mrs. Martin bit her thin lips until the
blood almost started, and then, as Phil
ip Grayson, with his pale but lovely
~ t-sao lA,- ;n- - At- n ,.,a, m yna clnnrIy
and proudly down the aisle, she left the
pew and followed them.
Philip Grayson and his wife had Just
passed over the outer threshold, when
from the crowd outside a man pushed
his way through. and, standing before
them, spoke one word:
.'Clarice!"
Swift as at a voice from heaven. the
bride lifted her downcast eyes and
fixed a wild look on the speaker; then.
with a cry tina would ring forever In
the ears OF those who heard 1t, she
tore herself from her husbands grasp
and fell. fainting, into the outstretcheo
arms Of Shirley Ashton.
A scene OF wild confusion followed.
Grayson snatched his newly-made
wife from the arms OF the unwelcome
" lhtIuutt, boiC z " ~ III
babe the coachman drive home.
A low laugh of triumph burst from
Kate Martins lips. She had never be-
fore seen Shirley Austin. but she un-
derstood the situation at a glance.
This is better than I could have ar,
ranged It," she thought. "An Is not
lost yet"
''Come, girls she said, aloud, to her
daughters, II will leave you in charge
of Mrs. Farnham. There will be no
wedding breakfast, I fear, but you can
follow later, IL o like. Unjust hasten
TO your Uncle Philip TO comfort him,
and TO attend to the guests. fear
there liz likely to be some trouble for
him at home."
Almost as she spoke. Mrs. Martin
was in her carriage. and, swiftly as
Philip Grayson nad been driven. she
was not more than half an hou behind
him.
Several guests had already arrived.
and had been shown into the breakfast
rncpa UharA thav atyaftad the maSter