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

l~~I
ever, Milton had returned with the
sheet of paper on which s'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. us there
can there be anything in it? Mono
there isn't"
Bennett spoke in low tone. Il
have heard whisper of some scam
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"
-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"
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 Millions 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 your Well. it
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
Iy. We'll. 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. "I will take care of her. Be
| sides, l must be in court in twenty
minutes"
Elaine paused, but she was thor
oughly aroused.
Then 1 will go with her myself,
she cried defantly.
In spite of every objection that Ben
nett made, "Weepy Mary" her sol
and Elaine went out to call a taxicai
TO take them to the railroad station
where they could catch a train to thu
little town where the woman asserted
she had been married.
Meanwhile, before little countr,
church in the town. closed automo
bile had drawn up.
AS the door opened a figure, humpe'
up and masked, alighted.
1t was the Clutching Hand.
The car had scarcely pulled ava
when he gave long rap, followed b
two short taps, at the door of tn
vestry, secret code, evidently.
Inside the vestry room man we
dressed, but with very sinister face
heard the knock and second late
opened the door.
"What-not ready yet?" growled tn
Clutching Hand. "Quick-now-get o
those clothes. heard the train viii
tie as came in the car In whic
closet does the minister keep them
The crook, without word, went
a closet and took out suit of clothe
of ministerial cut. Then he hastil
, put them on, adding some side-whisl
ers, which he had brought with him.
, At about the same time Elaine, a
) companied by 'Weepy Mary" and he
son." had arrived at the little tumbl
down station and had taken the on
S vehicle in sight, very ancient ca
S riage.
t 1t ambled along until, at last.
!, pulled up before the vestry room do
: of the church, just as the bogus mi
e lister was finishing his transformatit
from a frank crook Clutching Hal
/ was giving him his final instruction
y Elaine and the others alighted al
approached the church, while the a
o cient vehicle ratified away.
= They're comingi" whispered t
e crook. peering cautiously out of t
window.
e Clutching Hand moved silently al
n snakelike into the closet and shut
e door.
How do you do. Doctor Carton
p greeted "Weepy Mary" / guess y
4 don't remember me-"
n The clerical gentleman looked
(. her fixedly a moment.
Remember your" he repeated.
n, course. my dear. l remember eve
sr one marry"
And you remember to whom y
e married me?"
Perfectly. To an older mana T:
" Tor Dodge"
IN Elaine was overcome
re Wont you step in?" he 81
at suavely. "Your friend here does
III seem we'll"
They all entered
IT. And you-you say-you MARI
w this-this woman to Taylor Dodge
p queried Elaine, tensely.
The bogus minister seemed to
by very fatherly. Yes he asserted.
I'D certainly did So"
On Have you the record?- ash
Elaine, fighting to the last.
why, yes can show you
record"
L. He rnnuad ouar IN the c1oeaf : -ss(so