The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-07-27

both Of Grayson and his friend Now
bray, and each encouraged the other to
do all that vas possible to hasten the
wedding. Where the brides consent
had been already obtained, and unlim-
tied money was at the call Of every
body, this was easy enough. Mrs. Now.
barry, who had been entrusted with the
care Of the ~trousseau, was found to be
entirely equal to all that was required
Of her, for she possessed an absolute
genius for shopping, and excellent taste
in the selection Of attire.
For about two weeks a half-dozen
milliners and dressmakers, with their
assistants, were kept in a state Of de-
lightful activity, and at the end Of that
time everything was declared to be In
| readiness for the bridal.
Clarice alone remained Indifferent to
these interesting preparations. 1t was
with difficulty at times that she could
even be induced to try on the exquisite
robes being made for the wedding. OUT
fit, and her proud and happy mother
was often driven to despair by the lack
Of interest her daughter showed in the
approaching event.
Brian. my love-" Mrs. Mowbray ven
tured to say ct fear the loss OF her
young lover weighs on our poor girls
heart more than we think. Her utter
ca~llousness in regard to such beautiful
clothes as are every day sent home to
her is unnatural. Clarice frightens me
sometimes. You remember that stilet-
to, with a jeweled handle, that Shirley
Austin gave her? I told him at the
time 1t was an unlucky thing to give
any one, especially ones sweetheart
"What about it?" Mowbray interrupt
ed, impatiently.
why just this. I went into Clar-
ices room yesterday, and I found her
handling that s%tiletto, and looking at it
in a very curious way. Good gracious,
Clarice, whatever are you doing with
that thing?' I asked. She gave me the
queerest look, and then h laughed, In
a strange, forced way, and said: 4
think I shall fasten my wedding veil
with 1t, m 1t will be so appro
pirate, you sect I begged Of her not to
think Of such a dreadful thing. Sell
it, I said, 'or have the jewels removed,
If they are real, Inc throw h horrid
thing away!' But h just laughed
again, in the same queer way, and,
putting the stiletto back in a drawer,
locked 1t, and took the key out. I tell
you, Brian, I don't like the look on our
daughters face. She seemed capable
of something desperate. You know,
yourself, husband. It is not natural for
a girl Of her & to take. NO interest in
her wedding dresses. Did you ever see
me blind to the beauty of such clothes?
though. I never had them of my own.
I wish I had! There was q ruby vel
vet came home yesterday. I Xow, I
never saw anything so beautiful in my
life, unless it vas Clarice herself, when
she was dressed in it. Would o be-
ueve It? She wouldn't as much as turn
to look in the,m mirror! Oh, I could have
cried with vexation! Then there was a
tea-gown cam home this morning.
made of pale-green, with brocade and
lace, for which I paid f1ftydollars a
yard, and a bargain. at that, too! She
wouldn't even try 1t on-the loveliest
gown that I v laid my eyes on! I
repeat 1t, Brian, Clarice frightens mel"
"Nonsense, Hetty!" don't borrow
trouble! Wait until she Is married and
gives her first reception. She'll appre-
ciate her satins and laces then, I'll War
rant. But let me warn you Of one
thing. and look we'll to 1t. Have a care
Of what visitors She sees. A few days
ago there was a letter for her in the
mornings mail, and some lucky in
stinct prompted me to open it before
giving it to her. The writer warned
Clarice not to believe the reports Of
Austin's death-promfsed to furnish her
proofs to the contrary"
s.Heavens and earth! But 1t may be
so! Perhaps he Is not dead!"
''Stuff and n%onsense! OF course he's
dead; but let her once get q notion to
the contrary, and the marriage is of,
perhaps for years, after the time we
have tried to bring her to 1t. And II
once broken of or delayed, who can tell
what change may come over Grayson
before 1t can be arranged again? As it
is, he shows the patience and consider
alton Of a saint! I'm blessed II I would
marry a girl who treated me as Clarice
treats Grayson-no, not IL h were q
princess and beautiful as venus!
Mrs. Mowbray tossed her silly head
and laughed, but kept her thoughts to
herself.
..The letter was anonymous" pursued
Mowbray, returning to the original sub
ject; ''but I have good reasons for be-
lieving the writer to be Mrs. Martin.
GraysoE's widowed sister, who has her
own reasons for wishing to keep him q
bachelor. You now see the necessity Of
allowing no callers to see Glare, except
Philip. and let lei have no letters until
I have seen them first"
In a panic Of alarm, Mrs. Mowbray
promised implicit obedience. Notwith-
standing some little anxiety about
Clarice, the possibility Of losing the
glory Of becoming mother-in-law to
Philip Grayson almost took her breath
away.
The preparations for the ceremony
proceeded rapidly and safely, and were
watched from afar with greer-eyedi
envy by Kate Martin. From afar, be-
cause. despite the most untiring efforts.
she could not get near enough to View
them closely. IN
More than once Mrs. Martin had
written to Clarice openly. the letters
signed by her own name, az well 40
anonymously; but each letter had been
intercepted by the watchful father
IN her relations Of sister to the =
5pectant bridegroom, b had called
twice on her future sister-in-law, and
had been received by Mrs. Mowbrayt
9alone-received with effusion and at
sfectionate embraces; but Clartce wan,
not at home on either occasion.
She had. triedb3t to bride the servant
but, as. che remarked, Papa Mowbray
had the inside track" she 9 e at
tempted to fwaylays Clarice In the street.