The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-08-31
III FATAL, ..:: =: ).
ELIZABETH
M1dnniidge, , =.

. !
4 Kate. I feel that my reason has beer
restored to me for this. purpose, IL fol
nothing else, and I consecrate my life to
the work."
But Mrs. Martin had no thought OF
staying him, or arguing against his OK
pressed Intentions. She was, indeed,
too perplexed and bewildered to know
what to do or say, and, in silence, she
followed her brother to the street door,
and stood watching him until he had
turned the corner Of the next street ano
vanished from. her sight. -.
IA miracle. indeed!" she lnurmured,
in an awe-struck voice. mo wonder he
calls 1t so. He is enthusiastically san.
-self-reliant and self-controlled, too;
but what may be the effect Of seeing
Philip? Will 1t upset Roberts reason
again, or is the change a permanent
one? I scarcely know what to think OF
what to wish; but Robert has always
been fond OF me, and for SO many years
a mere tool in my hands. 1t cannot be.
that I am going to lose control of him
now, just when I need all the power l
possess in every direction? But is he,
indeed, sane? Is not this, rather a new
phase of madness, and I am deceived
by a clever piece of acting? Robert Is,
perhaps. the murderer, after all, and all
this is assumed to conceal his crime.
But nc, hat is impossible. There is too
much method in 1t for madness-Ah!"
1t was only Bertha, who had softly
stolen to her mothers side and placed
her hand on her mothers shoulder; but
Mrs. Martin was decidedly unnerved,
for she started violently and uttered an
exclamation Of positive alarm.
us 1t you, child? How you frighten-
ed mel"
Dear mamma, no wonder you are
nervous and easily startled. I'm so sor-
ry I spoke suddenly to Uncle Robert!
Forgive mel" and the affectionate girl
drew her mothers face close to her w
and kissed 1t.
Mrs. Martin returned the caress with
unusual tenderness. She was devotedly
fond Of Bertha, and she felt almost des-
olate in her own Wickedness at that
moment.
Her daughters fresh, innocent face
was no rebuke to her; but Bertha's evil
dent love and belief in her was like
balm to her disturbed spirit. It both
soothcd and stimulated her, for in all
her worldly schemes. in all her daring
ventures, whether wicked or merely
ambitious, she always justified her ac-
lions by the reflection that verything
was for the sake Of her children, whom
she loved more than herself.
Never mind, darling! There is no
need to worry yourself. No harm was
done. Your uncle seems strangely
calm and quite-master of himself. He
has gone to poor Philips house, for he
feels that he ought to be there"
She uttered the last words slowly, and
in an absent-minded manner, for her
attention was suddenly attracted by an
approaching figure. whose actions were
sufficiently strange to justify Bertha's
wondering gaze, as well as her own.
The figure vas that'of a young mar
who had come into view just as Robert
Grayson had turned the corner, and al
though she had seen him from the mo-
ment he first came into the street, Mrs.
Martin had hardly been conscious of his
presence till, on q nearer approach. ne
began wildly throwing his arms about
and talking aloud.
"What can be the matter with .him?"
said Bertha. HE doesn't look as II he
had been drinking. Oh, dear me!-but
no! It's impossible!"
The last words were spoken n tone
Of such evident bewilderment that Mrs.
Martin turned and looked sharply at
her daughter. To her utter surprise,
Bertha was blushing brightly as a rose.
while the girls gaze remained fixed up
on the stranger, as IL fascinated.
what in the world Is the natter"
asked Mrs. Martin. Do you know he
young man, Bertha?"
mo, mammal least, not that ! am
aware Oft meant don't know Who he
is. or IL I ever saw him before, but II
not. II was some one-Oh. SO much like
him"
"When, child? Where? How strange
1 you talk! And what are you blushing
up in that way for?? You o as II
you had been guilty Of some serious
fault"
.No. no, dear mamma-no serious
fault, IL fault al all. Please don't be
angry with me, and I'll tell you all
about It,"
Before Mrs. Martin could make any
reply, the cause Of their remarks had
come 80 near them, still g~esticulating
wildly, that the mother and daughter
retreated from the open door into the
hall.
The young man paused directly in
front Of them. and Mrs. Martin then
observed that he q v no sign Of being
under the influence Of liquor. although
his actions. at q distance, might easily
have suggested such an explanation OF
them.
He was pale. almost to liyidness, ex-
cept In each thin cheek, where burned
the hectic flush Of fever. His eyes were
wild and CLASSY. his parted lips parched
and liyid, and his rich. dark hair tan
], gledi and tossed wildly from his brow.
His hat was. gone n his coat was
torn open, his cravat united and his col
lar was loose. leaving his massive. mar
blelike throat baret TO the chilly evening
breeze.
Although he had paused right at their
4 door, and q apparently. looking
straight at Bertha and her mother. 81
was evident that he was quite uncon-
\ sciouss OF ~theirsprssencs.s #S
Strange! TheSyoung manss face is
familiar to me. too,ss' Mrs. Martin said.
In d low. tone. Where have Isseen him
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