The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-10-12
disappointment? But she Is unlike otn-
or nirla Hou, difEornnt from nra nffcal

err girls. How different from practical,
unromantic Lefty! I feel 10 anxiety
about her. What can have happened
between Austin and Clarice? Did he
see her? I must go there and find out
from Susan as much as she knows. 1t
is too late to-day, but early tomorrow
I will go. It will perhaps help me to
the best course to pursue"
In order to have a better opportunity
Of observing Shirley, Mrs. Martin In
vited him to dine with the family that
evening; and, much as he would have.
preferred to be alone, he felt con-
strained to accept the invitation.
After her exceptional, indeed, extra
ordinary, kindness, toward him, it
would have been the most churlish in
gratitude to refuse. He even exerted
himself to be entertaining to his host.
ess and her two pretty daughters; and
Mrs. Martin felt obliged to admit to
herself that Bertha or any other young
| girl might easily lose her heart to such.
a man.
Besides being in appearance and man.
ner calculated to fill the very ideal Of a
girls fancy, he was both interesting and
bright; his voice was deep and musical;
his manner toward ome a the gen.
Liz ~ ia w imply
that the particular wclnaneto whom he
spoke was the only one in h world, SO
far as he vas concerned; and, added to
all, he had the interesting pallors of ILL
ness, and the girl whom he now ad-
dressed and on whom his gaze dwell
most frequently had devoted herself. to
the care Of him during that illness.
Mrs. Martin caught herself Wishing
that she had such a son. and when h
was alone with Bertha that night, She
kissed the girl in a ann that seemed
like a congratulation to Bertha. 3
"~The~young man is charming, dear"
she said. you are quite right abou
that; and, whatever the state of his
heart may be, 1t does not prevent him
from admiring you."
Bertha blushed like a rose, and fling
ing her arms about her mother, Rugged
her in a genuine schoolgirl embrace.
For. the moment, Mrs. Martin hoped
that Austin5 might never again see
Clarice. AS for the rest Of the family,
they were all delighted with Shirley.
The boys treated him like an elder
brother; Robert Grayson thought him
the most genuine and intellectual
young man he had ever met, and Lefty,
who had long ago guessed her sisters
secret, whispered that she could fall In
love with Mr.. Austin herself, If her
heart had o been otherwise disposed
of.
Bertha went to bed a happy girl. and
dreamed all night Of Shirley.
Early on the following day Mrs. Mar
tin went t call on Oarice. The door
was opened by Susan, instead Of the
special servant who generally attended
on it, and there seemed an air Of sup
pressed excitement in the house, al
though everything was very quiet, and
all the inmates appeared to be attend
ing to their business with close atten-
ton.
"Has anything happened?'. Mrs. Mar
tin asked, giving her card, with Its half
inch mourning border, to Susan. Il
would like to see Mrs. Grayson, If pos
sible."
(Which I suppose you can. ma'am;
an. anyhow, I'll go an ask, to be sure"
returned. the girl, with q mysterious
toss of the head. IT suppose she'll be
let to see you, ma'am, though it's
mighty queer doings altogether that's
goin' on here. late an early, now"
She preceded Mrs. Martin to the re-
ception room for callers, and was about
to turn away, when that lady detained
her.
st am in no hurry. Susan. Tell me
what you mean"
Susan briefly related how Mr.. Now
bray had taken a letter from her, and
the subsequent scene when she had
brought ul Mr.. Austin's card.
"An' I must say, ma'am, it went to
my heart to give such a message to the
young gentleman, though some do say
sn~ p%u,oa b3~o fIot li11od Mr. Gro v10S1
beggin' pardon, ma'am, for naming 1t.
But, anyway, the missus don't think so.
or don't care. 'Twasn't her message.
though I as bid to say so; but that
~overbearin' father o. hers, that's just
the master of every n here. An as to
the letter, I'm sure twas ypur hand
writin', ma'am; an W1nakever he did
with it, Mrs. Grayson sew the In
side of it, or, If she dfd,sher papa saw 1t
first, I'll go bail for that,snha'am."
mo matter, Susan,'' Mrs. Martin an
swered, with a strange gthrob at her
heart; she could scarcely tell whether
she felt pelased or disappointed that
her letter to 'Clarice had miscafried.
IT can write to Mrs. Grayson again. It
necessary, and I'll give the letter to you
to place in her WI hands. You know
Mr.. Austin was formerly the sweet
heart of Mrs. Grayson; but, as she loses
everything under my brothers. will II
she marries again. Of course Mr.. Now
bray has his own object In keeping
them apart" 80
'To b sure, ma'am; we IAN all see
through that plain enough. But the
surprisin' part of the business to. me 10
how the missus. couldn't. get q message
to the young gentleman by her waitin'
maid, Mam'selle Leonce. for she did
seem devoted to her. But there77--thats
the most queer Of all!
about an hour or so after I'd sent
! Mr.. Austin. away yesterday, we were all
startled by the violent ringing Of Mrs.
Grayson,s bell. Now, twas the bust
ness Of the French maid to answer that
bell, OF course. So, after we'd. all given
a start an looked up at the bell, we
went on talkin' an eatin' u lunch, as
all happened to be dom at that time.
about i minute passed, when cling
a-clane went the bell ag.'in, ringin' like
mad, an no sign Of anyone answerin' H.
We ali looked at each other, an I start
ed up, for Twas the n that sometimes
answered. missus, bell, IL the French
maid was Gut-as she has been now an,
then. Before anyone could speak. cling
a-clang wentBthe bell 5ag'inp AMI moved
OF pretty quick to answer II, Tor ~