Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-09-26
CHAPTER XVII.
Claricc.

"ISN DlAaA MAOMOAoS q AAASN>>0 As>s@
expected much of him In his youth, 1t
was not without fair reason. He had
plenty of ability Of its kind, and since
he had undertaken to win fortune by
means Of his daughters beauty he had
been eminently successful.
The reading of his late son-in-law's
will had carried delight and triumph to
his heart. In his eyes 1t had but one
fault. The clause which had given re-
newed hope to Kate Martin carried
disnlay into Mowbray's mind. and the
possibility that Clar!ce might lose tho
magnificent fortune and position thief
his perseverance had won for her, by
bestowing her hand on this eternally-
trou blesome Austin, doomed up like
gigantic shadow Of evil In the near fu-
ture.
He determined to prevent it, and,
after giving his whole mind to the
subject hour after hour and day after
day. he at last fixed on plan of
action. Nc determined that no letter
from Shirley should reach Clarice. and
that no meeting, accidental or other
wise. should take place between them,
so that Shirley. believing himself for
gotten, as we'll as forsaken, would at
last leave the city forever and cross
her path no more.
Mr.. Mowbr::y began with making
friends of such of the servants as he
thought most likely to favor his and
their own interests. and, being a fair
judge CT faces. he attempted no bribery
with Carl, the valct-who was soon to
leave the establishment, anyway-nor
with Leonce, whom he soon found to
be devoted heart and soul to her miss
tress; nor with the cook or coachman.
But he carefully studied Susan, and
concluded to make her little present
now and then; and. as he expected,
Susan seemed grateful. and quite I'M
derstood his directions-that all letters
coming to the house for Mrs. Grayson
were to be brought to him first, in Or,
der that he might be able to save his
dear daughter any Lnnece ssary annoy
anceS.
Notwithstanding which, on tho next
day Susan, who was or the watch for
the mail carrier, received a very heavy
letter for Mrs .Grayson-the envelope
of which was sealed with black wax
the girl considered with herself wheth-
er or no she ought to let that letter
pass through Mr.. Mowbray's hands
first.
Susan felt almost sure that she re-,
cognized Mrs. Martins handwriting,
and it was, perhaps, we'll worth while
to remain faithful to an old friend,
even at the expense of losing a new
one.
She was on the point of slipping the
letter into her pocket until a conven
lent moment to give it to Mrs. Gray
son., when she felt playful tap on her
ST oulder and saw Mr.. Mowbray's hand
held out before her.
ct will take that letter to Mrs. Gray
son. Susan" he said. 81 think this is
one she has been waiting for"
And before Susan had recovered her
wits OR her BREATH the letter was safe
in Mr.. Mcwbray's pocket, and he was
ascending the stairs, softly whistling.
He did not go toward Clare's sitting
room, however; but, as soon as he
was out of Susan's view, FASTENED to-
ward his own apartment, which he en-
tered, locking the door after him.
A single glance at the letter told
him from whom it came, as it was not
the frs. letter of Mrs. Martins that he
had intercepted, and his eyes sparkled
with malicious triumph.
IT thought so!'' he burst out, from
the black wax! What an Internal
nuisance! Why the devil didn't the
woman merely seal it as usual? I can
not take the chance of breaking it
open, for it may contain something in
regard to those law papers my over
generous daughter insists upon hav-
ing drawn up; and it will never do 10
let Clarice know that intercepted her
letters. Neither is it possible to let
this one pass on to her until know its
contents. But a seal, even of wax, is
not going to scare mel" he concluded,
with sneering laugh, as he lighted the
gas and, with infinite care and trouble,
melted the seal in such a way that he
could easily reseal the letter again, in
case it was necessary to give it to Mrs.
Grayson.
The next moment the written pages
were open before him and his eyes were
eagerly devourirg them; and. had Mrs.
Martin been there to see, she must at
least have been gratified with the in
terest with which her correspondence
was read.
y
read to the last syllable. "a very pref
ty little story, indeed, Mrs. Martin, and
well calculated to make your little
game; but think Rave the card that
wins this trick" and without mo-
ment's hesitation he held the letter ana
the envelope in the flame of the gas jet
until they were burned to a cinder
"Ha, ha, ha, ha! That's disposed of,
but how on earth did that woman find
out this romantic story? Has she in
vented it? No; it bears the stamp of
truth! Then she must know where
Austin has been in hiding all this
while. She has entered into compact
with the devil, I truly believe; and I
will need all my wits to keep ahead Of
her. Austin will be here at any mo-
ment. The wonder is that he has not
come before. I must see Clarice!"
Mrs. Grayson was alone in her bou-
doir. as Leonce always called it. 1t
was a small but luxuriousiy fitted sit
ting room, on the furnishing of which
Philip Grayson had spent what would
have been a small fortune to Clarice
Mowbray, and had exercised to the
fullest extent his own very good taste
in the selection of evarvthi If con-