The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-07-27
III TadaZ,> r.,: ..' ),
ELIZABETH
Marriage, , =.

cruel and heartless to speak such words
to me; but you can never make me
wrong him, tool"
"Thcn, where is he? If so constant
and true as you believe him, he must
be dead. How else, in these days Of
fast ships, do you explain his silence?
Far away though 1t be, the mails are
regular enough. Why "a you no It'd
ings from him? All. my sweet child,
believe YOU poor father, who cares for
you, most Of any one! II Shirley Aus
tin still lives. he a forgotten you and
married some other girl"
II will stake my life on his faith and
TRUTH" returned Clarice, with enthusi-
asm.
Believe him dead, then-there is no
other way u of the affair-dead or
false!" retorted her father, with cruel
decision.
Clarice wrung her hands wildly and
groaned aloud, in the extremity of her
tortured feelings; but her father, deaf
to that sound of suffering, pursued the
slight advantage he had gained, and
only changed his tone from hard and
almost brutal to one that was coaxing
and wheeling.
Don't give way, Clarice-don't give
way like that! Think Of others besides
yourself. Haven't I been a good and
kind father to you? What have I ever
refused you, when I had the power to
get it for you? The world has been
hard on me, Clarice; I ave had much
disappointment to bear and few consol-
atoms. Think, my daughter-oh, think
deeply before you decide on destroying
the last chance I may have of yet MAX
ing a successful life! But I will not
speak of myself; my life has been
nearly all disappointment, and I have
learned to bear 1t. But consider your
mother-so delicate, so little able to
bear suffering and p~rivation-and how
much Of 1t h may have in store for
the %futurej II you waste your youth ia
useless regrets for one who is either
dead or false. I will say no more now,
but to implore you to consider deeply
all that I have set before you."
Mr.. Mowbray ended his exhortation,
having persuaded himself that every
word he had spoken was sincere and
from his heart-as, indeed, from his
way of thinking, was truly the
case.
Clarice was touched by the reference
to her mother, who, in a weak and silly
way, adored her daughter.
But she would give no promise, only
reiterating that she could not bring
herself to believe in Shirley Austin's
death.
Mowbray restrained any show of dis
appointment or rage, though his feel
ings almost overpowered him; for he
was willy enough to see that much care
would be necessary in obtaining Clare's
consent.
'She will yield at last, If we but man
age her WE'LL" he thought. II will
leave her o. to her mother. But, by
Jove, I must look out that Grayson
does not see her in this mood. She
would refuse him in such a way that
he would never ask her again, for he's
both proud and conceited. If I had
proof that Austin was really dead, or
had forgotten her! The latter would
be even better, for she has a fine spirit
when it's reused. Yes; I could manage
her well If I had wounded love and
pique to back me-"
While these thoughts took rapid shape
in his mind, Mowbray had been holding
his daughters hand in one Of his, alb
sently stroking her fair, silky hail with
the other.
With a half-audible sigh he now en-
braced her, called her a good girl, and,
by his name almost caused her to
feel that she had already given some
promise in regard to Philip Grayson.
Before she could protest, or even utter
a word, he left her abruptly and sought
his wife.
Mrs. Mowbray was at all times a
figure of a in the hands other her
husband. At any moment he could
mould her to his will, and now, with
her own desire to aid him-for she was
dazzled with such a prospect of wealth
for her daughter as well as for herself.
1T was easy to win her as an enthusi-.
astic supporter for the scheme on hand.
That evening Mowbray called upon
| Philip Grayson, according to appoint
ment, but it was not to bear Clare's
grateful acceptance of, the proposal
with which the millionaire had honored
her. On the contrary, he felt obliged
to explain the situation by q garbled
version Of the truth.
Grayson's face became very dark and
angry.
Il understood you. to say that your
daughters hand was free" he said,
stifly.
Mowbray fastened to reassure him
and vindicate himself.
"She is free, my lear boy-quite free.
| The man I speak of 1t dead"
Grayson's face cleared rapidly.
"Ah, a dead mani" he said, slowly.
ITO a man like me that 10 not a very
dangerous rivalry"
Before they parted Mowbray had
again promised the millionaire that
lClarice should become his wife, and the
lover seemed satisfied with the assur-
ance.
a rumor soon spread abroad that
Clarice Mowbray was to marrypPhilip
Grayson. and although 1t was speedily
discussed In society and glanced at IL
occasional newspaper paragraphs, II
was several days before 1t reached the
Tears Of Kate Martin.
When It did. she lost no time in find-
ing out full particulars on the sub
ject. including everything about Clariice
and her family that she could learn.
Having possessed herself Of all the
outside information that was possible,
Mrs. Martin concluded her researcher
by calling on her brother. IN V {
In the meantime Clarice had beeh
Subjected, In the bosomASof her. own
family, I system OF clever pereecu-
ton. Her father went about with the
1Eface and manner Of 4 marty. occaston-.
ally heaving y deep and piteo y Sigh
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