Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-08-01
CHAPTER ". (continued.)

/; having been given to her first knock.
I; But still there came no answer.
Mrs. Martin knocked a third time
NJ louder than before; but no sound came
& tDrom within. She then tried the door.
4 and found it was locked, and had just
rs lifted the carved handle Of her parasol,
That she might try louder summons,
when her daughter Bertha, who was
impatient to start, cried out: 70.
If don't think Uncle Robert Is in his
a room. mamma. I saw him at the front
kIdoor nearly an hour ago. He was
tdressed in all his best, and I guess he's
rome to the wedding by himself"
$50 much the BETTER" thought Mrs.
6 Martin, darkly. "He must have hao
some plan in his crazy head, after all
She. was Fastening toward the car
fiage, and was just stepping in, when
Y tome rev thought crossed her mind,
and she turned toward the house again.
ssa What is it. mammal" exclaimed
b Bertha and Lefty. in one breath.
Just to leave my parasol. girls. I'll
have no need of it. 1 forgot the car
riage."
d She entered the house, flung the para
sol on the first chair she came to, and
quickly glided again to the door Of her
Brothers room. ~
This time she did not knock, but
bending her head. listened intently at
3(eNAole for some moments.
Vas look of perplexity on her
she murmured:
ant be there-He must have
s Still more closely she placed her ear
to the keyhole, and held her breath
while she listened.
The silence was broken by Letty's
I voice, tremulous with tears.
why don't you come. mamma? It
VIII over before we get there!'
Mrs. Martin saised her hand with an
inpatient jerk.
IT can't make it OUT" she said.
And she FASTENED from the house and
ito the carriage, directing the coach
ian to drive quickly, and reassuring
er impatient daughters the next mo-
aent:
1--WE have abundant time. It is only
"a few minutes after eleven.''
The coachman made good time, but
there was a goodly crowd within the
ehAEch when Mrs. Martin arrived, and
kheEtwo pretty daughters.
Hey walked UP the aisle on their
Il the pew set aSlQe TOT the Tell.
- the bridal party, the elder lady
sharp look -outt for her brother
4 was not in the pew to which she
ushered, nor GOULD she see him
where ip the church.
esentlX the bride entered, leaning
the arm Of the groomsman: and the
idegroJm, with well known FASH
s,o1 h liz tee ~,,3 lNe 10,
rlnsg up the rear. grand r,i.I process 9sa,-
" minutes Mrs. Martin, feel
as though all she saw must
as a dream, heard the words
.rriage service, but her gaze
very direction except toward
no sign of Robert Grayson
However, the crowd about
vas very dense, and he might
there, although she could not
stir ct the upper end of the
few her gaze in that direction,
.tsaw that the ceremony was
che brief prayer and benediction
,oeen pronounced, and the happy
l. u were surrounded by congratulate
- 3 friends.
agarice was Philips wife-irrevoca-
eos ie en- ~ go ~
les Martin bit her thin lips until the
oiGlmost started. and then, as Phil
en Dyson, with his pale but lovely
rSeaning on his arm, came slowly
:. spudly down the aisle, she left the
lMsSh1A24kk aH n followed them
ssgs sl Philip Grayson and his wife had just
passed Spver the outer threshold. when
from the, crowd outside a man pushed
his way through, and, standing before
s#athem, spoke one word:
g "Clarice"
5a Swift as at voice from heaven, the
bride lifted her downcast eyes and
sESi fixed wild look on the speaker; then.
with a cry that would ring forever In
1.-THE ears of those who Heard 1t, she
Il tore herself from her husbans,s grasp
and fell. fainting, into the outstre.cheo
81 arniS le11lirleY Ashton.
: HI Re unwelcome
Y nth ~ Z "a carriage and
babe the coacAMla home.
a low laugh of triumph burst from
4 Kate Martins lips. She had never be-
y kore seen Shirley Austin, but she un-
j aerstood the situation at glance.
B '.This is better than could have ar
Nc hanged It," she thought. "All is not
d lost vet.
b Come, girls she said, aloud, to her
daughters, II will leave you in charge
a Y Mrs. Farnham. There will be no
s9kedding breakfast, fear, but you can
ssr2oliow later. If you like. 1 must hasten
4 to your Uncle Philip to comfort him.
1ss md to attend to the guests. I fear
Nj here IL. likely to be some trouble for
MIN ct home"
Almost as she spoke, Mrs. Martin
lsSsvas In her carriage. and, swiftly as
X Philip Grayson had been driven. she
s,xas not more than half an hour behind
Him.
Several guests had already arrived,
VI Aad had been shown into the breakfast
Mn, where they awaited the master,