The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-09-28
III TaGaE.> v..: IN ).
ELIZABETH
49, . CAMPBELL.
M2am1age> ' =.

|En
| uncle's will-most of which. however
they knew already from Robert Gray
son-but without n Of the bitterness
and rage against Clarice which would
| have colored her words had she spoken
when she first returned on the previous
day.
"And much good may it do her. my
| dear girls. Perhaps we may 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. TN
sure she will do all that's fair and hon
orable by U.S." =
Eyes, ma" said Lefty, "Uncle 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.
ooh, why couldn't I leave her wretch.
ed and gain Philips money, too?" she
thought. but something must be sac
ri1ced, and I suppose 1t must be re-
venge."
She quickly changed the subject, and
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 tool care to
open the door for him herself. The
young physician was so pale and worn
that she could not forbear remarking
it. 0.-.
eyes," he answered, my mind has
been disturbed about my patient" n
he passed her quickly and FASTENED up
the stairs.
Mrs. Martin followed, more leisurely.
and, as soon as he had entered Austin's
room, she flew to the eavesdropping
closet.
But she heard nothing to reward her.
DIR. 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, take
place between Austin and DR.. Bethune.
The two young men were already In
conversation, and the first words she
heard when she reached the listening
place gave her to understand that Shir-
ley had been e%ntreating 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. I 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 than ever now I know that she is
free! And what must she think of me
that I have no 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, I cannot bear 1t any longer! I
must see her or die"
"And you shall see her this day, II
you are equal to it; but you have much
to hear In the meantime. Yes, you are
to hear me as your physician, and after
that as your friend. The fever from
which you have suffered is at last over
come, therefore, care and attention to
my directions is all that you require.
For the rest. I agree with you that sus-
pense and anxiety are o wearing
than even the serious responsibility you
will presently find yourself burdeoed
with. The man whom Clarsce Now
bray married is dead, it is true. but his
death vas Of a tragic and awful char
acter. He was murdered in broad day
light, and there are circumstances in
regard to h 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 q movement which in
dictated that Austin had sprung violent
~ from his chair. was all that 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 the privilege Of seeing Shirley's face.
That being impossible. her ear was
more closely pressed to the partition. in
order that she might make up for be-
ing unable to use her eyes.
"You must kweep calm. Austin" she
heard DR.. Bethune say. in IN impera-
tive tone. ''You know I 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 deathsand all the attendant cir-
cumstances. as well as he knew them,
concluding with: IT have kept every
newspaper account Of the tragedy since
1t happened. and I have even played5the
spy In your service. The two strong
points against you are the weapon with
which the murder was committed and
which Mrs. Gfayscn ut once. acknovvl-
edged to belong to her. while her, moth
Ser wasT frightened into saying s0rne-
thing shout her daughter having re-
Eceived the sstilettns from YOU. That. 81
Itself. 40 not much, but II Is supposed
that you possessed yourself DfSthe It'll
etto IN the church At the time when
Clartce tainted IN your err but,,s5oi
course, 1t ts the simplest thing in the
world for you. t 6dlsproYe that ~ ac-
counting for your time from that no
ment until 3 Ell insensible IL Mrs
1 Martin's, tho saine@seveDink. As y0tl
/ physician, VIII accounlttssfo i Stiins
Since then. and your b~ondslnan,.si1
necessary second and styongesa
Epoint5 aga4nHt you known only foSths
priyate@detecttve IN 3 theScaS,
ana tosthe ood&san:arttaan A SMhoasa.
house I'M ow Mrs:#Martins,
sister sthe mnF deEsd