The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-08-03
CHAPTER Nv. lContinued.>

scene in the church-kill Philip, per
haps, in the presence of everybody.
don't care If he does. I am not re
sponsible for the acts of a madman!"
She raped again, sharply, no answel
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 1t vas locked, and had JUS
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. I saw him at the from,
door nearly an hour ago. He was
dressed in all his best. and I guess he's
gone to the wedding by himself"
$50 much the better" thought Mrs
Martin, darkly. HE must have hao
some plan in his crazy head, after ALL
She was fastening toward h car
riage. and was just stepping in, when
and she turned toward the house again.
"What is 1t, mammal exclaimed
Bertha and Lefty, in n breath.
"Just to leave my parasol. girls. III
have no need Of 1t. 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 oom
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
face, and she murmured:
HE can't be there-He must have
gomez"
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 there!"
Mrs. Martin saised her hand with an
impatient jerk.
IT can't make it QUIT" she said.
And she fastened from the house and
into the carriage, directing the coach
man to drive quickly, n reassuring
her impatient daughters he next mo-
ment:
W. lldNC dOollua4I lAl4lGs y AZ OAAAy
a few minutes after eleven"
The coachman made good time, but
there was a goodly crowd within the
church when Mrs. Martin arrived. and
led in her two pretty daughters.
AS they walked up 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
was ushered. nor could h see him
anywhere in the church.
Presently the bride entered, leaning
on the arm Of the groomsman: and the
bridegroom. with a we'll known fash
lonable 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
the 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 stir ct 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
had been pronounced, and the happy
pair were surrounded by congratulate
ing friends. .
ry,--1-~ .1- TLiIi~p~ ryiFn-1rwnx0oo
bly, his wife now until death should
part them. t.. ,..'
Mrs. Martin bit her thin lips until the
blood almost started, and then, as Phil
ap Grayson, with his pale but lovely
bride leaning on his arm, came slowly
and proudly down the aisle, she left the
pew and followed them.
Philip Grayson and his wife had just
passed over the outer threshold, wher
from the crowd outside a man pushed
his way through, and, standing before
them, spoke mi 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 that would ring forever II
the ears Of those who heard 1t. sht
tore herself from her husbands grasI
and fell, fainting, into the outstretchee
r Of Shirley Ashton.
A. scene of wild confusion followed
Grayson snatched his newly-naad'
wife from the arms Of the unwelcomt
Intruder, bore her to the carriage ant
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.
s"This is better than I could have ar
ranged It," she thought. "All is no
lost yet"
"Come, girls she said. aloud, to he
daughters, 1T will leave you in charg'
Of Mrs. Farnham. There will be N
wedding breakfast, I fear. but you cal
follow later. II you like. Unjust hastel
to your Uncle Philip to comfort him
ana to attend to the guests. / fea,
there is likely to be some trouble TO
him at home 1
Almost AZ she spoke, Mrs: Marti,
was In her carriage. and, swiftly 81
philip Grayson had been driven sh'
was not more than half an hour behin'
him. 4AH 2s
several guests had already arrived
and had been sshownStnto the
room, waher they awaited ssaninst
and mistress Dc the 4Sholse;sf forg Az
Gene at the charrh had beeli9sso snd
dsn and q quickly oyeEthat only tnoa