The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-09-28

sEs5 CHAPTER xyII. Sss.sss
a 49, Clarice. SS8
When Brian Mowbray's friends had
expected much OF himsins his youth, 1t
was not without fair reason. He had
plenty Of ability OF It's 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
display into Notwithstanding, and the
possibility that Clar.ce might lose tho
magnificent fortuna and position that
his perseverance, had won for. her. by
bestowing her hand on this e%ternally-
troublesome Austin, doomed UP like a
gigantic shadow Of evil IN the near fu--
ture.
He determined to prevent 1t, and.
after giving his whole mind to the
subject hour after hour and day after
day, he at last fixed on a plan Of
action He 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 well as forsaken, would at
last leave the city forever. end cross
her path no more.
Mr.. Mowbray began with making
friends Of such of the servants as he
thought most likely to favor his ard
their own interests, and, being a fair
judge CT faces, he attempted no bribery
with Carl, the yalct-who was soon to
leave the establishment, anyway-nor
with Leonce, whom he soon found to
be devoted heart and SOU to her mis-
tress; nor with the cook or coachman.
But he carefully studied Susan, and
concluded to make her a little present
nov 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 unnecessary annoy
ances.
Notwithstanding which, on the next
day Susan, who was on the watch for
the mail carrier, received a very heavy
of which was sealed with black wax
the girl considered with herself wheth-
er or no she oughs to let that letter
pass through MI. Mowbray's hands.
first.
Susan felt almost SURE that she re-
cognized Mrs. Martins handwriting,
and it was, perhaps, well worth while
to remain faithful to ar old friend,
even at the expense Of losing q new
one.
She was on the point Of slipping tho
letter into her pocket until a conven-
lent moment to give 1t to Mrs. Gray
SON, when h felt a playful tap on her
shoulder and saw Mr.. Mowbray's hand
held out before her.
IT 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.
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, hastened 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 1t was not
the first letter Of Mrs. Martins that he
had intercepted, and his yes sparkled
with malicious triumph.
"I thought so!" he burst out. "from
the black wax! What an internal.
nuisance! Why the devil didn't the
woman merely seal 1t as usual? I a
not take the chance of breaking 1t
open, forsit may contain something in
regard to those law papers my over
daughter insists upon hav-
ing drawn UP; and 1t will do to
let Clarice know that I intercepted her
letters. Neither is 1t possible to let
this one pass on to her until I know Its
contents. But q seal. even OF wax. ts
not going to mel" he concluded.
with a sneering laugh, as he lighted the
gas and, with infinite are and trouble
melted the seal in such a way that he
could easily reseal the letter again. in
cas- 1t was necessary to give 1t 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
vas read.
$50, so!"sexclaimed Mowbray, having
read to the last syllable. IA very pret-
ty little story, indeed, Mrs. Martin, and
well calculated to make your little
game; but I think ! have the card that
wins this trick" and without a m0-l
ment's hesitation he held the letter ana
the envelope In the flame OF the gas jet
until they were burned to q cinder.
'.EIa, ha. ha, ha!! That's disposed yof.
but. how on earth did that woman a
out this romantic. story? Has she tn-.
vented 1t? No; II bears the stamp Of
truth! Then she must know where
Austin has been In hiding all this
while. She has entered into q compact
with the devil, I truly believe; a 4
will need: all my wits to keep ahead2of
her. Austin Will III here ct any mo-
iment. NE wonder ID that he has not
come before. I must seesG1arices"
Mrs. Grayson was alCneSin her bo Nus
doir, AZ Iseonce alwa.sScalled A. 81 4 4
q; small but lu1Irioualy lifted Mt-
tins; ROOM. on the furniehtnEsof which,
Philip Grayson had spent What would gol
;hayesbeen small fortune 70 4 clarlce