Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-04-09


cd heart. She lived in style superior to
that of her neighbors, who marvelled that
II should be so, since she seemed to have
no occupation but the secret Of her greater
prosperity she kept to herself, II was
about an hour after dark, when Neville
entered this abode and abruptly accosted
its mistress:
"Well, old lady, have you prepared that
room according to instructions? 2"
"You might know it's done, without
asking% She replied in gruS, ill-natur-
ed tone. "And much good may it do you.
You will not rest until you get into trouble
about that woman, to say nothing Of the
trouble I'm to have in keeping her safe
after you've brought her here"
"She will not trouble you long" He
said, in coaxiug manner. "A little
gentle force is what most Of you women
need to bring you to terms, then you be-
come very plant and affectionate. But
have you told the neighbors that you are
expecting a crazy neice whom the court
has consigned to your care ?-Well, that
is all right" He replied to her nod of
assent. "That will account for any noise
she may make; and, remember am to
be her brother. Here are the papers pre-
pared by lawyer Grip, which you can show
to any inquisitive body that may question
you too closely. shall be back sometime
tonight, SO be in readiness to receive your
neice" And with chuckle Of delight he
departed, avoiding in his route, the neigh
boring habitations. ........s.
Little dreamed Mr.. Neville, as he re-
traced his steps to the city, that stealtier
step kept even pace with his, and that
sharp ears had overheard what was said
by him and the woman he had visited
That step had followed him from the city,
followed him back, and to the very door
of his dwelling, which was spacious, but
rather gloomy looking structure of brick /;
and at the door, the spy got glimpse of
the man who let Neville in, and was lit
tie strtled at hearing the sound of voice
that seemed strangely familiar.
"Ah" Said Mike, to himself; "some devil
mentisg guine on here, as shure as my names s
Mike Sloan. That ar voice belongs to a
man what desarted me on the parairie, and
put them ar burned red skins on my track.
Never you mind, Joe Swillivin, I'll be up
long side O. you yit." And whilst Mike
was thus discoursing with himself, Neville
and his companion emerged from the house,
and he barely had time to slip aside, and
escape their notice. Whittier they went,
he did not follow, but walked around the
house, peeped through keyholes, looked
through blinds and listened until his search
satisfied him there was a lightin one room
and that there was no one in the house
He then walked briskly away, and after q
lapse of half an hour returned, and going
cautiously to rear door that opened into
the room that was lighted, he inserted Q
key, turned it slowly and, the bolt yielding
readily, he opened the door, thrust hi'
head in, followed it up with his body, ther
closed and locked the door on the inside
Having accomplished SO much of hi
purpose, Mike looked around the room
and, as usual, commenced conversation
with himself, but in an under tone, ant
without relaxing his scrutiny:
"Wcll, this looks like old times. Won
der who's in the bis'ness now, sides Joe
Here's all the tools fur kining none,
jist as they was afore I fooled the lawye
chaps and got my neck out'n the scrape
Well, it's burned mean bis'ness but
never knowd it 'twell 1 learned what's wha
from Mr.. Wilmer and his father and nov
, feel mean to think l war sich durne'
fool as to b'leive it war right to do tn
\ like, and l never will do it agin 'thout
! gifts mighty hard run. Them ar boxes
, full of kline, and here's some layin loos
about, and it's purity we'll stomped-kalki
/ lated to fool most eny body ; but it can
fool Mike Sloan, so he'll jist let it be"
Thus soliloquising, Mike rambled frOr
0 room to room, till he had satisfied his curl
. osity, and returning to the point whenc
r he started, deposited the candle just wher
o he found it, and had scarcely locked tn
door on the outside, and withdrawn th
c key, when he heard the front door oper
t aud the tread of several persons on th
r floor. He stood and listened until he hear
a the steps ascending to the handsOmel
o furnished apartments occupied by th
= wealthy and accomplished Mr.. Nevill
n m