Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-07-25
CHAPTER III.
An Unwilling Bride.

Brian Mowbray was one of the bril-
liant, versatile young men, with appar-
entity genius for everything, of whom
80 much is expected in youth, that the
talent of ten ordinarily clever men
would hardly suffice to realize such
expectations.
But he had reached the middle age
without accomplishing anything in par
ticular, except to become the husband
of a pretty and silly young woman, and
subsequently the father of a very love-
ly daughter.
AS the most ordinary young man can
often accomplish this much. and even
more. it was not regarded as an extra
ordinary achievement on the part or
young Mowbray. Rather the contrary,
for when he had reached middle age
and was admitted to be failure by MS
warmest friends, those who sought 10
excuse and to justify their own past
enthusiasm, declared that his foolish
marriage had ruined him.
Anyway, whatever the cause. the fact
was there, glaring and undeniab!e.
"Pcor NIowbray was a failure-an
unlucky fellow who always came to
srrief-worse still-whose ventures at
ways brought others to grief. also,
when foolhardy enough to join him IN
them"
His latest effort had been in Wall
street. and it was Philip Grayson VINO
had held out friendly hand.
But Mowbray's customary ill-luck
pursued him; his venture was a losing
one. and entailed equal loss on Gray
son.
Philip only laughed good-naturedly.
The loss was a trifle to him, and he mad
already fallen in love with Clarice. He
told the father of the existence OF this
tender sentiment, and asked for her
hand in marriage, promising to settle
upon her the bulk of his fortune, ana
also to make such provision for her
parents as would place them IN ANU
.ence the rest of their lives.
Mowbray accepted the rich sutton
with effusion. In his daughters name.
he promised that the wedding SHOULD
take place within month. Then. al
most embracing his future son-ln-la"'
he addressed Philip affectionately as
"Dear boy!" wrung Philips hand with
quite natural heartiness, and flew TO ac-
quaint his daughter with the happiness
in store for her-for himself-for eV-
erybody
The interview between Brian Now
bray and Philip Grayson had taken
place in the downtown Office of the lat
ter gentleman, and the prospective
father-in-law had promised to call that
same evening at the millionaire's home,
III, ho news
the bride-elect's consent.
This proposal somewhat disconnected
the ardent lover, who would have pre-
ferred to rush at once to his love and
do his own counting; but when NOW
bray strongly represented the tlmldlty
Of his daughter, and the likelihood that
her maidenly delicacy might take alarm
at such hasty and unexpected woo1ng,
Philip felt constrained to take the faith
,er's advice to proceed more slowly.
Mowbray took the quickest way home
his vivid Imagination already revel-
ing in the pleasures to be enjoyed at
the expense of his rich son-1n-laW.
He had just reached his own door,
when. like a cold shower bath, came
the remembrance of his daughters pas
sionate attachment to young Austin,
and the engagement, sanctioned both
by his wife and himself before Shir-
ley's departure for Australia, two years
before.
1'It was madness for me to have given
my consent" he half-murmured, for
getting that Shirley Austin had then
seemed an excellent match for his pref
" but penniless daughter. But the
fellow is dead, thank heaven, and the
devils in it if the girl is going to
thwart me now. when I have a chance
of making all our fortunes-with her
help But, pshaw! I'll stand no nom
sense. She must accept Grayson, and
gladly, gratefully, too! Her mother
can weep and I can look heart-broken,
and Clare is good child-bless her
heart!"
With this comforting reflection, Mr..
Mowbray FASTENED to acquaint his ram
fly with the joyful news he carried.
Clarice Mowbray was, as her father
said, a good child" but, as he soon
learned she-had, where her heart was
concerned, gone far beyond childhood.
She was woman, with all a Woman's
determination and strength where her
affection was placed; and when her
rather nfSt DrOacneQ IHe SuDJeCI VI
marriage between her and Philip Gray
son, he was met with a prompt and Wig
orous refusal.
Mowbray stormed, entreated, threat
ened-all in vain. Clarice answered
firmly:
mo, father; never will promise tc
marry Mr.. Grayson while my hand and
heart both belong to Shirley Austin"
but Austin is dead, girl. I tell you!
You can't marry dead man. thun-
de-ed Mowbray, becoming indiscreetly
coarse and rough.
Clarice grew pale, but she shook he1
head and answered, quietly:
''Of this have no convincing proof
yet. An idle rumor is not sufficient ev-
idence to my mind Of calamity 50 ter
rible as Shirley's death would be-"
"Then, if not dead, he is worse!" pur-
:sued her father, cruelty. you have
had no word from him for more than 4
/ year. If he is still living, what kind OF
lover 90 you call that? He has for
gotten you and married some other CIR
long ago. Australia is a long way off
and two years-the period Of your en-