Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-09-12

the idea right. And Clare's the most
generous girl In the world Now that
she knows what Mr.. Grayson wished in
regard to your daughters, I'm quite
sure they will never want SO long as
she has the mean to carry out his In
tentions. You know the will said as
much as that. Come. now, my dear, be
comforted," and she patted Mrs. Mar
tin on the shoulder.
But to the afflicted woman, so sud
denly, as 1t were. cast to earth from
the very pinnacle Of hope annd expect
alton, Mrs. Mowbray's touch burned
like fire. and every word stabbed. TCrr-
ing. with ill-conct sled Impotence, she
shook off Mrs. Mowbray's hand, and,
making a last effort to compose aud
control herself she rose and was about
to leave the room. when she found her.
self face to face With Clarice. pale,
beautiful. and calm.
"My mother says no more than will
make good. Mrs. Martin" said Clarice,
in voice clear and distinct to all in
the ROOM. ''It is sufficient for me to
know my husbands wishes. will car
ry them out implicitly in every in
stance"
look of the deep violet eyes, and knew
that Glare would be true to every word
she now spoke. She had purposely
spoken in the presence of witnesses, but
Mrs. Martin felt, instinctively, that ev-
cry word would lie strictly adhered to.
though no ears save her own had heard
them. But she only hated the beauti-
full bride more bitterly for having thus
To oh. fc or witt n.
hold them at pleasure Her very fin
gers ached to do some thing desperate.
She would have liked to strike Clarice
then and there; the impatient temper
that had often ruined her best plans at
the very moment Of success tempted
her strongly to give the rein to her
hate and envy, but, with an almost SUI
perhuman effort, she refrained.
IT can scarcely expect Philip Gray
sons widow to treat us with more con-
sideration and generosity than Philip
Gre yson has shown" she said, with a
sheer.
And then, with a quick, con:prehens-
i've bow to every one, the disappointed
woman hurried from the room and
from the house.
Her carriage was still standing at
the door, and she flung open the door,
hurried into it, and, with an inperious
voice, babe the man drive her home.
Alone with her old wild thoughts, she
raved like one in delirium-at one mo-
ment weeping and wringing her hands,
then SILENT in a kind Of stony despair.
then awakened again by some sharp
stab of remembrance that caused her
to burst out into frantic hate against
the successful cir! VINO had triumphed
over her in every way.
"Surely, she was born to good luck.
A crime ribs her of a husband she
would have hated, and leaves her mis-
tress of the wealth he toiled q lifetime
to gain. She has parsed unscathed
through circumstances suspicious
enough to. have hanged any other wo.
man."
"Her lover returns in time to reap
the benefit of all the good fortune that
fate showers upon her, and what
though he may be arrested for murder,
she will spend half of Philips wealth
to save Shirley Austin: and, despite all
I can do. they will he happy. Before
the years mourning has expired she
will have married him. Ha! Surely,
there is something I have forgotten
ha. ha, ha! She cannot marry him, or
if she does, every dollar of Philips
wealth comes to 1ae-to me and Rob-
crt!"
A sh,il], wild laugh of triumph broke
from Mrs. Martins lips. Had not the
carriage been driven nfuriously, rat
ting noisily over the hard street, the
coachman on the box must have heard
it and thought she was going mad.
Rut the new train of thought soon
quoted her. The tears fled from her
eyes; the color came back to her face,
and again she was the hard, dangerous
woman, that, in moments Of emergen-
cy, she could become.
"She will marry him." she thought.
Eyes, she is mad with love for that
man, and if the price was life itself, She
will marry Shirley Austin. She is
young, enthusiastic, and at the worst,
Think, the law would give her one
third of Philips estate, will or no will.
All is not lost yet. She and Austin
must meet as soon as he can leave the
house. Fool that have been to have
lost my head! Already I have over
reached myself. i have betrayed Shir-
ley to the detective, but, like wise
fortunate-how fortunate! I begin to
agree with Hantlir. I don't think Aus
tin committed the murder at all. But
whether or no, he must meet Clarice at
once. If there is an estrangement, it
must be made up Immediately: can't
take any active part in it. She would
instantly suspect my motives. But I
can pave the way for these ardent
young lovers to come together again
and make up their little quarrel. All,
here am at home again! I must see
the interesting patient at once"
She paid the coachman, and, in the
renewed exhilaration of hope, gave
him good-sized piece of silver for
himself; and then she smilingly hast
ened into the house and received an ac-
count of all that mad happenend from
Bertha, VINO met her at the parlor door.
The doctor had called, Bertha told
her, but had remained for moment
only, as the patient was asleep.
Then he will come again?" inquired
Mrs Martin.
Yes, mamma, SO he said.'
Come and tell me tie moment he IS
here, dear, and dent let me be dis
turbed In the meantime. I am going TO
my room to lie down. But remember