The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-09-28
ton caused that lady to lose the next
words. and to come very rear betraying

THAT sly scotchman!" she thought,
in conformation, hes had me watched.
and he knows about Clarice's portrait
but no matter! Things are approach
ing q crisis now But hark!"
Yes; 1t would be n Of those singh
lar condolences OF which the world Is
full, II, had you been guilty, the sister
Of your victim had given you shelter.
But we will not hint at anything soIhor-
rible, Austin. The second point Is this:
Mrs. Martin carried to the detective b
miniature Of Miss Mowbray, which had
been n Of the things stolen from che
murdered man. This miniature, she in
formed the detective, she had found in
your possession. At first I had no anx-
iety OF the subject, knowing that you
had also possessed miniature Of Clar-
ice, but since hearlngtth the shocking facts
Of your interview with-with-Adele, l
know that your miniature was de-
stroyed; but, of course, you can ex-
plain how the other came into your pos
session. Good Heavens, Austin! what
is the matter? You look pale and hor-
ror-struck. What does 1t mean? You
did not kill Philip Grayson, did you?'
Concealed in the closet, Mrs. Martin
b~reathlessly waited to hear what reply
Shirley Austin would make to Dr.Beth-
une's momentous question.
"You did not kill Philip Grayson, did
you?" (
IT can tell you nothing, Frank, Of
what I did that day from the moment
wne I felt Clarice torn from my :,
Shirley answered. "Of course, I am in
nocent,, so far as I know. but oftne af-
ter events Of that terrible day I remem
Der nothing; my mind is a blank. I
had no miniature Of Clarice except the
n destroyed by Adele Lingard. If n
belonging to Philip Grayson was found
IN my possession, how came 1t there?
Heaven have pity on me! I have re-
gained Clarice, only to lose her again
more terribly than ever. But, no! 1t
can't bet Is impossible. It IS week
and unmanlv for me to give way like
this. There must be some explanation
Of this mystery, and 1t Is for me to find
it out. I will go with you now, to po-
lice headquarters, and then to see Car
Ice"
You are right. and I will stand by
you to the last dollar I own!" said DR..
Bethune. heartily.
: 'The friends clasped hands fervently,
but Mrs. Martin heard no more except
the movement Of footsteps to and fro.
by which. she understood well enough
that Austin was preparing to go u
with his friend.
She would have liked to overhear any
further remarks that might be made in.
regard to herself, for she had no doubt
but that Bethune would warn Austin
against her: but little she cared now
what either Of them might think OF her.
The chief aim of her existence would
be accomplished when Shirley Austin
became Clarice G%rayson's husband.
Whether she would be looked upon as
a friend or enemy in bringing about the
union mattered nothing.
1T have already sent word to liant
lin," she reflected, that I. believed my
suspicious misplaced; besides which. he
is evidently on another scent, anyway.
If, after all, Austin should turn u to
be the murderer, 1t would be a reflne-
ment of vengeance on Clarice, for h
will marry him, anyway, whether he is
hung or let off, and the ghost Of Philip
will haunt her forever, ad I shall have
nothing but profit and happiness all
round" ~
. WILL l1lSSS ISO11SO4AAlG kAAOA6AASo SAeS
glided noiselessly from the closet and
from the room, and fastened to h Sc
clusion of her. own apartment, the win
dows of which commanded a view OF
the street.
staticning herself by the front win
dow, she watched there until h heard
the front door close, and then, peeping
out for a moment, h saw Shirley and
Bethune. walk away arm-in-arm.
The convalescent looked pale and del
icate, md very slender, but irresistibly
handsome; and Mrs. Martin thought,
with a smile: s
'.Clarice will receive him with open
arms, and that wan face, with its great
dark eyes, will plead more eloquently
than an angels tongue in his favor. All.
I know well what fools girls are!
/ ave been young and in love myself"
AS she turned from the window there
came a low, timid rap at the door. and
Mrs. Martin answered, briskly. Come
in!' for h was expecting Bertha.
"How pele you are!" h exclaimed,
as her daughter entered, and, with q
manner of subdued excitement, sank
into q chair. "And you look q little fe-
werlich, too-your eyes are not so bright;
CT is 1t, perhaps, the effect Of your deep
mourning? Is anything the matter.
Bertha?"
While she spoke. Mrs. Martin ri
looking more keenly than she had for
some time at her pretty daughter, and.
she could not foil to see that Bertha
was changed. But It was no an alarm-
ing change. -
Bertha's face looked more. mature,