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

ton caused that lady to lose the next
words. and to come very rear betraying
herself.
THAT sly Scotchman!' she thought,
| in CONSERVATION, hes had me watched.
and he knows about Clarice's portrait
but no matter! Things are approach
| ing crisis now. But hark!"
Yes; 1t would be one Of those sing,l-
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 so hor-
rible, Austin. The second point Is this:
Mrs. Martin carried to the detective b
miniature of Miss Mowbray, which had
been one of the things stolen from the
! murdered man. This miniature. she in
formed the detective, she had found IN
your possession. At first had no anx-
iety or the subject, knowing that you
had also possessed miniature Of Clar-
ice. but since hearing the shocking facts
of your interview with-with-Adele.
know that your miniature was de-
stroyed; but, of course, you can ex-
plain how the other came into your pos
is the matter? You look pale and hor-
ror-struck. What does it mean? You
did not kill Philip Grayson, did you?"
Concealed in the closet, Mrs. Martin
breathlessly waited to hear what reply
Shirley Austin would make to DR.. Beth
une's momentous question.
''You did not kill Philip Grayscn, did
you?"
II can tell you nothing. Frank, of
what I did that day from the moment
when I felt Clarice torn from my arms, -
Shirley answered. "Of course, am in
nocent, so far as know, but of the at
ter events of that terrible day remem-
Der nothing; my mind is a blank.
had no miniature of Clarice except the
one destroyed by Adele Lingard. If one
belonging to Philip Grayson was found
in my possession, how came it 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. 1t is weak
and unmanly for me to give way like
this. There must be some explanation
Of this mystery. and it is for me to find
it out. 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 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 we'll enough
that Austin was preparing to go out
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 Grayson's husband.
Whether she would be looked upon as
friend or enemy in bringing about the
union mattered nothing.
II have already sent word to Hant-
lin,'' she reflected, that believed my
suspicious misplaced; besides which, he
is evidently on another scent, anyway.
If, after all, Austin should turn out to
be the murderer, it would be refine
ment Of vengeance on Clarice, for she
III AAdAA AlAul, dAy way, "ASlAC1 llS 40
hung or let off, and the ghost of Philip
will haunt her forever, ad I shall have
nothing but profit and happiness all
round"
With these consoling thoughts she
glided noiselessly from the closet and
from the room, and FASTENED to the 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 she heard
the front door close, and then. peeping
out for a moment, she saw Shirley and
Bethune walk away arm-in-arm.
The convalescent looked pale and del
icate, and very slender. but irresistibly
handsome; and Mrs. Martin thought,
with a smile:
"Clarice will receive him with open
arms, and that wan face, with its great
dark eyes, will plead more eloquent,y
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 q low, timid rap at the door. and
Mrs. Martin answered, briskly, "Come
| In" for she was expecting Bertha.
| no" p2le you are! she exclaimed,
as her daughter entered, and. with a
manner of subdued excitement, sank
into chair. "And you look little fe-
verish, too-your eyes are not so bright;
CT is it, perhaps, the effect Of your deep
mourning? Is anything the matter,
Bertha?"
While she spoke, Mrs. Martin was
looking more keenly than she had for
some time at her pretty daughter, and
she could not fail to see that Bertha
was changed. But it was not an alarm
ing change.
Bertha's face looked more mature,
without being older. Her eyes were
deep and lustrous with feeling, and per-
haps touch of feverish brightness.
Her pallor was the pallcr of sup
pressed emotion. not of ll-health, while
the slight flush of excitement, that
brought rale bloom to her cheek and
a bright crimson to her lips, added to
her good looks wonderfully.
"The child is quite beautiful" though4
the proud mother. "Oh, if I had the
money that belongs by right to mel"
Nothing Is the matter, mamma,