The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-03-24

ever, MllLOQ nau Eclurheu Win ehc
sheet OF paper on which .Weepy
Mary" had written and handed 1t to
Bennett
Bennett read it with uncontrolled
establishment.
what is it?' demanded Elaine.
He handed it to her, and she read;
As the lawful wife and widow
Of Taylor Dodge demand my
sons rights and my own.
MRS. TAYLOR DODGE.
Elaine gasped at it.
"She-my fathers wife." she ex-
claimed. What effrontery. What
does she mean?"
Bennett hesitated.
Tell me-" Elaine cried. 'Is there
can there be anything in it? Mono
there isn't"
Bennett spoke in low tone. Il
have heard whisper of some scan
dal or other connected with your faith
er-but@" He paused.
Elaine was first shocked, then indig-
nant.
"Why-such thing is absurd. Show
the woman int"
"No-please-Miss Dodge. Let me
deal with her"
BY this time Elaine was furious.
"Yes-I will see her,"
She pressed the button on Benefits
desk, and Milton responded.
Milton, show the-the woman in, q
she ordered, land that boy, too"
As Milton turned to crook his finger
at ''Weepy Mary" she nodded surrep
titiously and dug her fingers sharply
into sons" ribs.
''YeIl-you little fool-yell," she
whispered.
Obedient to his mothers" com
mands, and much to Millions disgust
the boy started to cry in close imita
ton of his elder.
Elaine was still holding the paper II
her hands when they entered.
What does all this mean?" she de
handed
"Weepy Mary" between sobs, man
aged to blurt out, You are Mis-
Elaine Dodge. aren't your Well,
means that your father married M
when / was only seventeen and thi
boy is our son-your half-brother.
'No-never," cried Elaine vehem
emily, unable to restrain her disgust
'.Weepy Mary smiled cynically
Come with me and l will show yo1
the church records and the ministe
who married u.s."
You will?" repeated Elaine defiant
Iy. We'll, I'll just do as you ask. MI
Bennett shall go with me-"
mo, no, Miss Dodge-don't e
Leave the matter to me-" urged Der
nett. 81 will take care of her. b
sides, l must be in court in twent
minutes"
Elaine paused, but she was tho
oughly aroused.
Then l will go with her myself
she cried defiantly.
In spite of every objection that Bel
nett made, "Weepy Mary" her SO
and Elaine went out to call a taxica
TO take them to the railroad static
where they could catch train to til
little town where the woman asserte
she had been married.
Meanwhile, before a little countl
church in the town, a closed autom
bile had drawn up.
AS the door opened figure, humpe
up and masked, alighted.
1t was the Clutching Hand.
The car had scarcely pulled ava
when he gave long rap, followed
two short taps, at the door of Il
vestry, a secret code, evidently.
Inside the vestry room a man we
! dressed, but with very sinister fac
heard the knock and a second lat
opened the door.
''What-not ready yet?" growled Il
| Clutching Hand. "Quick-now-ge
those clothes. l heard the train VIII
? tie as l came in the car. In viii
closet does the minister keep them
The crook, without word, went
I a closet and took out suit of cloth
of ministerial cut Then he hast
q put them on, adding some side-whis
ers, which he had brought with him.
a At about the same time Elaine, 1
o companied by "Weepy Mary" and b
l. son." had arrived at the little tumb
down station and had taken the OF
S vehicle in sight, very ancient C
s riage.
It 1t ambled along until, at last.
!, pulled up before the vestry room de-
( of the church, just as the bogus m
e lister was finishing his TRANSFORMED
from a frank crook. Clutching Hs
j. was giving him his final instructio
y Elaine and the others alighted g
approached the church, while the
% cient vehicle ratified away.
r They're comingl" whispered
Ie crook, peering cautiously out of
window.
.e Clutching Hand moved silently {
m snakelike into the closet and shut
lie door.
How do you do. Doctor Carlo
Up greeted "Weepy Mary" l guess
a. don't remember me"
IN The clerical gentleman looked
k. her fixedly a moment.
Remember your" he repeated.
n, course. my dear. remember ev'
er one l marry"
And you remember to whom
lg married me?"
Perfectly. To an older mana I
W. Tor Dodge"
an Elaine was overcome.
ke Wont you step in?" he {
at suavely. your friend here doe
i'll seem we'll"
They all entered.
ut And you-you say-you mari
wv this-this woman to Taylor Dodg
lp- queried Elaine, tensely.
The bogus minister seemed to
oy very fatherly. Yes" he asserted
nd certainly did So"
on Have you the record?' as
Elaine, fighting to the last.
why, yes. / can show you
record"
Sc. He moved over to the closet. &C,