Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-09-26

ton caused that lady to lose the next
words. and to come very real betraying
herself.
That sly scotchman!" she thought,
in CONSERVATION, hes had me watched,
and he knows about Clarice's portrait
but no matter! Things are approach
ing a crisis now. But hark!"
Yes; Ii would be n OF those Singh
lar condolences Of which the world is
full, If, had you been guilty, the sister
of your victim had given you shelter.
But we will not hint at anything so hor-
rible. Austin. The second point is this
Mrs. Martin carried to the detective b
miniature of Miss Mowbray, which had
been n of the things stolen from The
murdered man. This miniature, she in
formed the detective, she had found in
your possession. At first / had no anx-
iety or the subject. knowing that you
had also possessed a miniature OF Clar-
ice, but since hearing the shocking facts
of our interview with-with-Adele, /
know that your miniature was de-
stroyed: but, of course, you can ex-
plain how the other came into your pos
session. Good Heavens, Austin. what
Is the matter? You look pale and hor-
ror-struck. What does 1t mean? You
did not kill Philip Grayson, did you?"
Concealed in the closet, Mrs. Martin
breathlessly waited to hear what reply
Shirley Austin would make to DR.. Beth
une's momentous question.
You did not kill Philip Grayson, did
your"
II can tell you nothing, Frank, Of
what / did that day from the moment
when 1 felt Clarice torn from my arms
Shirley answered. "Of course, ! am in
nocent, so far as / know, but of the at
ter events of that terrible day / remem-
Der nothing; my mind is a blank. /
had 10 miniature of Clarice except the
one destroyed by Adele Lingard. If one
belonging to Philip Grayson was found
IN my possession, how CO me ii there?
Heaven have pity on me! 1 nave re-
gained Clarice, only to lose her again
more terribly than ever. But, no 1t
can't bet Is impossible. 1t IS weak
and unmanly for me to give way like
this. There must be some explanation
of this mystery, and 1t is for me to find
1t out. / will go with you now, to po-
lice headquarters, and then to see Car
ice.'' ...a.t.
You are right, and l will stand by
you to the last dollar I own!" said DR..
Bethune. heartily.
"The friends clasped hands fervently,
but Mrs. Martin heard no more except
the movement of footsteps to and fro,
by which h understood we'll enough
that Austin was preparing to go out
with his friend.
She would have liked to overhear any
further remarks that might be made in
regard TO herself, for she a no doubt
but that Bethune would warn Austin
against her; but little she cared now
what either OF then might think of her.
The chief aim of her existence would
be accomplished when Shirley Austin
became Clarice Grayson's husband.
Whether she would be looked upon as
a friend or enemy in bringing about the
union mattered nothing.
II have already sent word to liant
lin," she reflected, that 1 believed my
suspicious misplaced; besides which, he
is evidently on another scent, anyway.
If, after all, Austin should turn out to
be the murderer, it would be a reine-
ment of vengeance on Clarice, for h
will marry him, anyway, whether he is
hung or let off, and the ghost of Philip
will haunt her forever, ad I shall have
nothing but profit and happiness all
round"
With these consoling thoughts she
glided noiselessly from the closet and
from the room, and hastened to the Sc
clusion of her w apartment, the win
dows of which commanded a view Of
the street.
Staticning herself by the front win
dow, she watched there until she heard
the front door close, and then, peeping
out for a moment, she saw Shirley and
Bethune walk away arm -in-arm.
The conyalescent looked pale and DEL
icate, and very slender, but irresistibly
handsome: and Mrs. Martin thought,
with a smile:
''Clarice will receive him with open
arms, and hat wan face, with it's great
dark eyes, will plead more eloquently
than an angels tongue in his favor. All,
/ know well what fools girls are, /
/ i've been young and in love myself"
As she turned from the window there
came q low, timid rap at the door. and
Mrs. Martin answered, briskly, Come
in" for she was expecting Bertha.
Flow pale you are!" she exclaimed,
as her daughter entered. and, with a
ann of subdued excitement, sank
into n chair. And o lcok a little fe-
verish, too-your eyes are not so bright;
or is 1t, perhaps. the effect of your deep
mourning? Is anything the matter,
Bertha?'
While she spoke, Mrs. Martin wa
looking more keenly than she had for
some time at her pretty daughter, and
she could not fail to see that Bertha
was changed. But it was not an alarm
ing change.
Bertha's face looked more mature,
without being older. Her eyes were
deep and lustrous with feeling, and per-
haps a touch of feverish brightness.
Her pallor was the pallcr OF sup
pressed emotion. not of Ill health, while
the slight flush of excitement, that
brought a Iale bloom to her cheek and
a bright crimson to her lips. added TO
her good looks wonderfully.
1.-THE child is quite beautiful thought
the proud mother. ''Oh, If I had the
money that belongs by right to mel"
Nothing Is the matter, mamma
Bertha answered to her mothers last
question. but / was surprised to see
anr patient going cuf with tha 3octor