The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-11-09

of events controlled by a higher power,
or you may be punished as I am.
But I don't want to speak with you.
No doubt you come to enter into a COM
pact with me to separate your daughter
from her lover and share the sRoils witt,
you. But 1t is too late. Clarice' will
marry s hirley Austin, and the fortune I
have striven 80 hard fer will be mine
without further effort-as 1t would have
been, anyway, had I been patient, in
stead of soiling my eoul with lies AMI
deceit and the thought of worse crimes.
Wien 1t comes 1t will be too late, and
hang like a milestone about my neck, for
1t has taken from me all I most priZel
on earth. Your daughter has behaved
nobly. She will be happy and blessed
for her goodness. I have hated her, and
even yet my heart envies her happiness;
but tell her to forgive me if she can"
She had spoken rapidly, wildly, but
distinctly, and she had remained stand
ing all the time. Now, as she conclud-
cd, she waved Mo"br:ty away toward
the door with a sweeping gesture of the
arm, ard then h left the room.
Silercei and ain ost aWed-eeor in Mrs.
Martins words and ann there had
been the tragic int ,nsity Of great suf-
fering-Bryan Mowbray found himself
cut in the street again. =
There seems something like fate in
IT," he thought. "when even this keen
and INSCRIPTIONS woman Is overcome
and lays down her arms"
Gut he had no intention of yielding
yet; and as he turned his steps home
ward, 1t was with tile fixed intention Of
watching Clarice and ell who sided with
her, in order that he might, II possible,
circumvent their plans.
AS he nearcd home his attention was
caveht by the slender figure Of a wo.
man walking rapidly ahead Of him. and
1t seemed strangely familiar. He looked
even more observantly, and felt certain
that the woman a Sknown to him;
snd all doubt On the subject was at an
end when he saw her pause in front OF
the mansion he was nearing and disap.
gear down the area steps. =
He bounded forward with O pace IN
creased almost to a run, and vehement
ly pulled the front door-bell.
"Wlo ia that woman who has just
come in down stairs?" he asked the SER
want who admitted him.
II don't know, SIR" was he's answer.
And even>in these wo: DIS, though thu
of the speaker was perfectly
respectful, Mowhray felt that he was
no longer master In that house.
A subtle change had taken place
among the servants, who a realized,
as they never hs d until within the. past
twenty-fcur hours, that the beautiful
young widow of theil dead master was
hencefortk the governing power in nat
house,
GO and find out, instantly com
manded Mowbray: land, remember, no
one is to. see Mrs. (;rayson until the
rsme is first brought to me-" e
Before the older could be obeyed.
Susan came quickly from below stairs,
and hastened along the hall, then ran
quickly w stairs
Mowbray followed her so rapidly that
he overlook her us she reached the
landing.
SUSAN" he said, in a tone between
command and cntreaty, what's n
meaning Of this? Tell me your message
to Mrs. Grayscn. Who wishes to see
her?"
BEG pardon, sir, but I cannot answer
that quest;cn-it is more than my place
is WORTH" the girl answered. as she
pushed past him and knocked at the
door Of Clarice's room.
Mowt.ay followed close ut her heels,
end when his daughter called, IL her
clear, sweet voice. Come M" he was
near enough to heac Tie servants mes
Sc re, though spoken in a low tore:
''If you please, ma'am." said Susan.
"the, French maid, Ma'mz.lle Leonce,
has returned. and begs to be allowed to
come up ard speak with you."
"Bring her at once!" commanded
Mrs. Grayson, in a tone that caused
Mr.. Mowbray to fall back out Of sight
at sound Of it.