Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-08-15

|
This" she said. pausing before the
first door, lis madame's boudoir. 1t is
exquisite. The dressing room opens
off the boudoir, and beyond that is
madam's sleeping apartment. oh,
madam, the rooms are so beautiful, one
might be happy, almost, to look at
them: but to own them all for ones
| own! All"
open the door!" Clarice commanded,
impat;ently.
to obey, she hurriedly flung open the
door of the boudoir and entered.
| Leonce would have followed her. but
her mistress imperiously forbade her.
But, madam, it will be time to
time to start soon. Mr.. Grayson has
ordered the carriage for o'clock. and
your toilette. must be attended to. See!
I have laid out the travelling dress on
that shair. Such Il heavy Irish poplin!
1t g!itters like silver!'
I'm not ready to be dressed yet"
/ Clarice returned. There, girl go!
! will ring when 1 want you!'
] "But, madam, there is so little time,
/ When will you ling?" persisted the
girl. who knew that Mr.. Grayson would
| never forgive her if his wife was late
| for the steamer.
when? Perhaps never!" was the
answer, in hash, hard voice, unlike
the soft, musical notes of Clarice Now
brays sweet voice. 'Now, leave me,
Leonce."
And, with a quick movement, she
! shut the door in the girls face, and
turned the key in the lock, for her
quick ear had caught familiar step
coming hastily along the hall.
| Leonce turned from the door to find
herself face to face with Mr.. Grayson.
us your mistress ready? Have you
changed her dress?" he asked.
Madam will not even permit me to
enter the room," answered Leonce, with
a wondering look.
She had as yet heard nothing of the
scene at the church, and the strange
behavior of her mistress was utterly
| inexplicable to her.
"Clarice, wish to speak to you," said
Mr.. Grayson, rapping gently on the
door.
No answer was vouchsafed from
within.
"Clarice, open the door, my love.
must see you instantly" Mr.. Grayson.
in his most imperative tone, spoke
again.
No answer still. The flush of anger
rose hot on Philip Grayson's cheek.
Unable to endure the modification of
his wifes conduct under the eye of a
servant. he turned sharply to the maid
and babe her go away and not return
until she was summoned.
! Leonce obeyed by going down stairs,
where, from the gossip of her fellow
/ servants, she soon learned what ex,
planned the singular behavior of her
young mistress.
| From that time until she was sent by
Mrs. Martin to call Clarice, she did not
again see Mrs. Grayson, nor even hear
the sound of her mistress voice; and
| whether the young wife had at length
responded to her husbands request by
opening the door, Leonce could not tell.
Preceding all those who now ap-
preached Mrs. Grayson's apartment,
the French maid now reached the door
and knocked loudly, accompanying the
| knock with a respectful request that
her mistress would please return some
| answer.
But no sound came from the locked
room: instead, there was a cessation
of sound. The noise of the silken drap-
cries, sweeping to and fro over the floor,
of which Leonce had spoken, ceased
suddenly; and by that sign those out
side could guess that Mrs. Grayson
was at last about to answer the re-
peated summons for admission.
But it was not until Mrs. Mowbray
addressed her daughter through the
closed door, that the young mistress at
length responded in words.
"Clare, darling, open the door to see
me, your mother" Mrs. Mowbray said
And Clare haG answered:
II don't wish to see you, mother-1
don't wish to see any one. You are all
in league against me. Let me alone. ]
wish that could die"
"Clare: Clare!" cried Mrs. Mowbray
"You are mad to talk so, child You lit
door, dear. Something awful has hap
pened!"
Before the words had well left the
speakers lips, the door was thrown vi
olently open, and Clarice stood before
them, whittier than her bridal gown
Her veil had fallen, unheeded, on THE
AS1 USduIllul SOlQSll udli WAS uIl-
bound and hung in glittering mass
around her shoulders. The eyes, bril-
liant with excitement, shone like jew
els. but their expression was wild and
terrified.
Mrs. Mowbray's last words contained
only one meaning to her ears, and that
indicated danger to Shirley Austin, fol-
the thought of him still filled her mind
to the exclusion Of everything else.
What do you mean?" she cried
"What has happened? Why are all
these people here? This is my apart
ment!'
Madam" returned Detective liant
lin who quickly took upon himself the
task of explaining, determined to learn
all that he could, and, if possible, tc
betray the young wife into some eX-
preston that might afford him clue
to the mystery of Philip Grayson's
madam, we ask your pardon
for this strange visit; but you will ex-
cuse us when you know all. A crime
has been committed here. Your hus-
band is dead-murdered!"
Clarice uttered piercing cry. It was
not the cry of grief, or even Of horror
but simply q cry Of natural and