Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-07-25

pray, ana each encouraged the other tC
do all that was possible to hasten the
wedding. Where the BRIDES consen,
had been already obtained, and unlim-
tied money was at the call of every.
body, this was easy enough. Mrs. Now.
barry, who had been entrusted with the
care of the trousseau. was found to be
entirely equal to all that was required
OF her, for she possessed an absolute
genius for shopping, and excellent taste
in the selection Of attire.
For about two weeks q half-dozen
milliners and dressmakers, with their
assistants, We're kept in state of de-
lfghtful activity. and at the end of that
time everything was declared to be In
readiness for the bridal.
Clarice alone remained Indifferent to
these interesting preparations. 1t was
with difficulty at times that she could
even be induced to try on the exquisite
robes being made for the wedding out
fit, and her proud and happy mother
was often driven to despair by the lack
of interest her daughter showed in the
approaching event.
brian. my love-" Mrs. Mowbray ven
tured to say, II fear the loss of her
young lover weighs on our poor girls
\ HCAIl iAoiC SLltiA we IL. 110F uIlOI'
callousness in regard to such beautiful
clothes as are every day sent home to
her is unnatural. Clarice frightens me
sometimes. You remember that stilet-
to. with jeweled handle. that Shirley
Austin gave her? I told him at the
time it was an unlucky thing to give
any one, especially ones sweetheart -
What about it," Mowbray interrupt
ed. impatiently.
"Why, just this. I went into Clar-
ices room yesterday, and found her
handling that stiletto, and looking at it
in very curious way. Good gracious,
Clarice, whatever are you doing with
| that thing:' asked. She gave me the
queerest look, and then she laughed, in
a strange. forced way, and said: I
| think I shall fasten my wedding veil
with it. mamma. 1t will be so appro-
pirate, you seer I begged of her not to
think of such a dreadful thing. Sell
it, I said, or have the jewels removed,
if they are real, and throw the horrid
thing away But she just laughed
again, in the same queer way, ana,
putting the stiletto back in a drawer.
locked it, and took the key out. I tell
you, Brian, don't like the look on our
daughters face. She seemed capable
of something desperate. You know,
yourself, husband, it is not natural for
girl of her age to take no interest in
her wedding dresses. Did you ever see
me blind to the beauty of such clothes?
though I never had them Of my own.
!. wish 7 had! There was a ruby vel
vet came home yesterday. I vow, I
never saw anything so beautiful in my
life, unless it was Clarice herself, when
she was dressed in it. Would you be-
lieve it? She wouldn't as much as turn
to look in the mirror! Oh, could have
cried with vexation! Then there was
tea-gown came home this morning.
made Of pale-green, with brocade and
lace, for which paid fiftydollars
yard, and bargain, at that, too! She
wouldn't even try it on-the loveliest
gown that I ever laid my eyes on!
repeat it, Brian, Clarice frightens mel"
"Nonsense, Hetty!" don't borrow
trouble! Wait until she is married and
gives her first reception. She'll appre-
ciate her satins and laces then, I'll War;
rant. But let me warn you of one
thing. and look we'll to it. Have a care
Of what visitors she sees. A few days
ago there was a letter for her in the
mornings mail, and some lucky in
stinct prompted me to open it before
giving it to her. The writer warned
Clarice not to believe the reports of
Austins death-promised to furnish her
proofs to the contrary"
Heavens and earth! But it may be
so! Perhaps he is not dead!''
"Stuff and nonsense! OF course he's
dead: but let her once get a notion to
the contrary, and the marriage is off,
perhaps for years, after the time we
have tried to bring her to it. And If
once broken off or delayed, who can tell
what change may come over Grayson
before it can be arranged again? AS it
is, he shows ethe patience and consider
alton of a saint! I'm blessed if I would
marry a girl who treated me as Clarice
treats Grayson-no, rot if she We're q
princess and beautiful as Venus"
Mrs. Mowbray tossed her silly head
and laughed, but kept her thoughts to
herself.
''The letter was anonymous" pursued
Mowbray, returning to the original SUBJ
ject; "but I have good reasons for be7
lieving the writer to be Mrs. Martin,
Graysor's widowed sister, who has her
own reasons for wishing to keep him a
bachelor. You now see the necessity Of
allowing no callers 10 see clare, except
Philip, and let her have no letters until
have seen them first"
In a panic Of alarm, Mrs. Mowbray
promised implicit obedience. Notwith-
standing some little anxiety about
Clarice, the possibility of losing the
glory of becoming mother-in-law to
Philip Grayson almost took her breath
away.
The preparations for the ceremony
proceeded rapidly and safely, and were
watched from afar with green-eyed
envy by Kate Martin. From afar, be-
cause, despite the most untiring efforts,
she could not get near enough to view
them closely.
More than once Mrs. Martin had
written to Clarice openly, the letters
signed by her own name as we'll as
anonymously; but each letter had been
intercepted by the watchful father.
In her relations Of sister to the ex
pectant bridegroom, she had called
twice on her future sister n-law, and
| had hean received nv Mrs MOwhra "