The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-08-17
III TaGaAs> .. !: :: =: }.
ELIZABETH
M1dmiage, . :.


SHOW me at once to my apart
ments. Leonce." she said.
And the waiting maid preceded hel
mistress up the grand stairway and 8
short distance along the wide hall.
This" she said, pausing before the
first door, lis madame's boudoir. It II
exquisite. The dressing room opens
off the boudoir, and beyond that Il
madam's sleeping apartment. Oh
madam, the rooms are SO beautiful. one
might be happy, almost. to look al
them: but to w them all for one
own! All"
"Open the door!" Clarice commanded,
impatiently.
Then, without giving the maid time
to obey, she hurriedly flung open. the
door of the boudoir and entered.
Lconce would have followed her, but
her mistress imperiously forbade her.
But. madam, it will be time to
start soon "Eut, madam, 1t will be
time to start soon. Mr.. Grayson has
ordered the carriage for 2 o'clock, and
your toilette must be attended to. See!
1 have laid out the travelling dress on
that shair. Such a heavy Irish poplin!
1t g!itters like silver!"
I'm not ready to be dressed yet"
Clarice returned. There, girl, go! I
| will ring When I want you!"
"J.ut, madam, there is 81 little timei
When will you ring?" persisted the
| girl, who knew that Mr.. Grayson would
never forgive her if his wife vas late
for the steamer.
when? Perhaps never!" was the
answer, in a hash, hard voice, unlike
the soft. musical notes Of Clarice Now
bray's sweet voice. Nov, 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 a familiar step
coming hastily along the hall.
Leonce turned from h door to find
herself face to face with Mr.. Grayson.
'Is 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. a-
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, I wish to speak to you," said
Mr.. Grayson, rapping gently On the
door.
No answer was vouchsafed from
within.
t"Clarice, open the door, my love. I
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 wife's conduct under the eye Of a
servant, he turned sharply to the maid
and babe her go away n not return
until h was summoned.
Leonce obeyed by going down stairs.
where, from the gossip Of her fellow
servants, she o learned what ex>
planned the singular behavior of her
young mistress.
From tina 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 APP
preached Mrs. G%rayson'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. d,
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 hat 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 Glare had answered.:
"I don't wish to see you, mother
don't wish to see any one. You are all
in league against me. Let me alone. l
wish that I could die"
"Clare: Clare!" cried Mrs. Mowbray.
'You are mad to talk SO, child. You lit
tie know what has happened. Open the
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
floor; her beautiful golden hair was un-
bound and hung In q glfttering mass
around her shoulders. The; eyes. bril-.
liant with excitement. shone like Jew
els. but their expression was wild and
terrified.