Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-11-07
III T@GaZ.~ r.,, s.~ >.
ELIZABETH
m2app&a@@> : :,.,
CHAPTER xxv1-.continued,

SA1tAA EN-
He saw that she was quite master of
the situation, and that he was helpless
to move her by any further threats. At
all times he knew that Clarice could
only be governed through her affections
and now she had nothing more to fear
where Ter affections We're most ardent
ly placed her lover lived, she was
convinced of his constancy, she could
prove his innocence, and he was walt
ing to throw himself at her, feet.
But even yet Mowbray would not:give
up. Shirley, perhaps, did not yet know
how matters stood. There. was one
chance yet, and he might be able to
prevent them from meeting.
You believe all you say, Clarice," he
said. slowly, watching the effect of his
words, but you may find how mistaken
you are when Shirley Austin stands in
the murderer's DOCK
Clarice turned pale. and for a moment
her resolution seemed shaken: but the
color returned to her face, she smiled
proudly, and said:
Shirley Austin will never stand in
the murderer's DOCK
"Mowbray left the room and hurried
to his wife's apartment. She, at least,
never defied him, and her power over
Clarice renamed Unchanged.
You must reason With Glare" he
said, abruptly, 'or else she will ruin
everything by marrying that fool. Aus
tin, and throw away the magnificent
fortune we have worked so hard to win
Tor her."
What do you mean. dear?' inquired
his wife looked quite pleased. Has
Shirley come back again? You know
thought it was very cruel Of you to
prevent Clare from seeing him. Brian,
he has always loved her, and she will
never be happy apart from him.
Mowbray stamped his foot with i'm
patience, and seized his wife by the
arm with a grasp that panied her.
Brian, you are hurting me! Are you
going to strike me?'' she asked, pite-
ously, and he shrank in fear.
She was the one creature left in the
world now who believed in Brian Now
bray, and he felt a curious shock at
feeling her shrink away from, him in
alarm. His grasp relaxed, and he
placed his arm about her slight but still
graceful figure.
Don't be foolish, my darling! You
know I am more anxious for you. than
for myself" he said, with an appear
ance of much tenderness. eff Clarice
acts with such folly, we will be again
reduced to poverty; so will she; for
Austin has returned poorer than when
he went away"
But, if she loves him, Brian, dear,
her happiness is surely of more conse-
quence than all this wealth, which she
can't enjoy. Why, she's worn nothing
but plain black since she came into this
grand house. OF course she can't help
that being a, widow; but even before
poor dear Mr.. Grawson was murdered
In that awfully cruel way, Clarice did
not take take one bit of pleasure in her
lovely clothes. So unlike girl of her
age, and so unlike her, too, when she
used to be happy! Now if she marries
Shirley, it will be ali so different; be-
cause we won't be reduced to poverty
at all. Brian. you forget! Our annuity
is for life, and quite enough to make us
very comfortable; while Clarice will
have a third in spite of the will, and
that will be handsome fortune in it
self. Oh, it will be just charming! I
shall see her happy and light-hearted
again, and I will have the comfort of
seeing her beautiful and appreciative
of the lovely dresses I shall select for
her.
Mowbray turned away with a NUT
tered oath.
Fool" he growled, under his breath.
"Let her only have money enough for
fine dresses, and some one as simple as
herself to talk with about them, and
she cares for nothing else
He STROBE away, and, Selling his hat,
went out into the street.
The chances of retaining the prev
ileges Of Philip Grawsons wealth be-
came smaller and smaller. He began
to wish the murderer, whoever it was,
would rid the world Of Shirley Austin;
for then Clarice would never marry.
But instead of that, he must make UP
his mind to see Mrs. Martins schemes
succeed just where his had failed.
He wondered where Austin was. Had
the young man perhaps left the city?
Perhaps he could so work matters as
to make Shirley do SO, if he could but
find the fellow.
And then he remembered the letter of
Mrs. Martin which he had Intercepted.
She must know where Shirley could be
found, and with that thought he turned
his steps to finding her-for he knew
where she lived.
But Mowbray found Mrs. Martin a
changed woman-so changed that she
no longer seemed the woman whom he
had feared as formidable rival in his
own schemes for wealth.
Bertha and her mother had returned
from their visit to the clergyman whose
name had been used on the copy in
closed to them Of Letty's marriage Ger
tificate.
To their horror they learned that the
use Of the clergyman's name was for
gerry, the ceremony mockery, and the
man who performed it, whoever he
was, an impOster.
It had Teen cleyerly done; but even if
it had been clun1sily accomplished, poor
Lefty had been too innocent to suspect
q fraud.
Mrs. Martin was quite broken down,
and even the sight of her old enemy
could not rouse her to any show of re-
sistance.
IT know nothing Of Mr. Austin she
said, in broken voice, 1.-THE hand of
God is heavy on me, Mr.. Mowbray. One
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