The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-31

Wnat is 1t! demanded Eia1ne.
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 1t? No-no-
there isn't"
Bennett spoke in a low tone. 81
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 a thing is absurd. Show
the woman I'M"
"No-please-Miss Dodge. Let me
deal with her."
BY this time Elaine was furious.
"Yes-I will see her."
4
desk, and Milton responded.
Milton, show the-the woman in,"
she ordered, "and 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.
"Yell-you little fool-yell," she
whispered.
Obedient to his mothers" COM
mands, and much to Milton's disgust,
the boy started to cry in close imita.
ton of his elder.
Elaine was still holding the paper in
her hands when they entered.
What does all this mean?" she de.
manded.
"Weepy Mary" between sobs, man.
aged to blurt out, "You are Miss
Elaine Dodge, aren't you? Well, 1t
means that your father married me
when was only seventeen and this
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 you
the church records and the minister
who married u.s."
you will?" repeated Elaine defiant
ly. well, I'll just do as you ask. Mr.
Bennett shall go with me-"
mo, no. Miss Dodge-don't go.
Leave the matter to me-" urged Ben
nett. Il will take care Of her. Be-
sides, l must be in court in twenty
minutes"
Elaine paused, but she was thor.
oughly aroused.
Then l will go with her myself"
she cried defiantly.
In spite of every objection that Ben
nett made, "Weepy Mary" her son
and Elaine went out to call a. taxicab
to take them to the railroad station
/ where they could catch train to the
little town where the woman asserted
she had been married.
Meanwhile, before little country
church in the town, closed automo.
bile had drawn up.
AS the door opened figure. bumped
up and masked alighted.
1t was the Clutching Hand.
The car had scarcely pulled away
when he gave long rap, followed by
two short taps, at the door of the
vestry, secret code, evidently.
Inside the vestry room man we'll
dressed. but with very sinister face,
heard the knock and a second later
opened the door.
"What-not ready YETI" growled the
Clutching Hand. "Quick-now-get on
.hose clothes. | heard the train whis-
tie as / came in the car In which
closet does the minister keep them?"
The crook, without word, went to
closet and took out suit of clothes
OF ministerial cut. Then he hastily
put them on, adding some side-whisk-
ers, which he had brought with him.
At about the same time Elaine, ac.
companied by "Weepy Mary" and her
son, nad arrived at the little tumble
, down station aid had taken the only
vehicle in sight, very ancient car.
riage.
1t ambled along until. at last, it
pulled up before the vestry room door
of the church, just as the bogus min
lister was finishing his transformation
from frank crook. Clutching Hand
was giving him his final instructions.
Elaine and the others alighted and
approached the church, while the an
ciens vehicle ratified away.
They're coming!" whispered the
crook, peering cautiously out of the
window.
Clutching Hand moved silently and
snakelike into the closet and shut the
door.
How do you do, Doctor Carton?"
greeted "Weepy Mary" ! guess you
don't remember me-"
The clerical gentleman looked at
her fixedly a moment.
Remember you?" he repeated "Of
course, my dear. I remember every
one marry"
"And you remember to whom you
married me?'
Perfectly. To an older mana Tay-
lor Dodge"
Elaine was overcome.
Won't you step in?" he said
suavely. Your friend here doesn't
seem we'll"
They all entered.
And you-you say-you married