The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-11-05

been paid three thousand dollars th
previous day. The money was, il
deed still in the house.
HOLLYWOOD was situated at shoI
distance from any other habitatioI
and there were no men about th
premises ave Uncle VIII himself
he wa. an invalid Dick Hargrav,
and Phil Meredith.
Now, one word about Phil. III
had been less than week at Holm
wood on this occasion. He was f;
ta's lover, and they were to be MAJ
RED in fortnight.
II is now clear enough why Est
felt apprehcnsive, and why Die
Hargrave's bold admiration distres,
ed her.
She ran directly to her uucle'
study. Phil happened to be there
sitting with the invalid. In a fey
words she told them all about th
letter.
They read and reread the strang
missiye. Mr.. Brandt could not un
derstand it.
There's something below the sur
face here" he said, shaking his hea'
and looking wise. "The writer o
that note is not as generous hearted
as he would make us believe. | cam
remember ever having done a rogu,
a kindness. | know it could no
have been intended"
Perhaps he wore his sleeps cloth
ing at the time" laughed Phil.
Esta's spirits were at low ebb
What will vou do 2" she asked
anxiously. You don't know but tn,
warning was well intended. L
would not be safe to disregard it"
No" said Mr.. Brandt. II shall
send the money to Wal,ham before
nightfalI, and have it deposited in the
bank. You will take it Phil -
"Of course. There is nobody else
10 whom YOU could trust it."
NO. Dick could not be thought Of
such an errand."
Would in not be well, " urged Es-
ia, "for Phil to bring two or three Of
the police from Waltham TO sleep in
the house to night"
Mr.. Brandt nodded.
ut shall be done, nv dear
Thyn, after moments puzzled
thou. ht, he added:
at is very strange how the rogues
learned that money was in the house.
| don't understand it,
Phil turned away muttering:
Bah p! It's no surprise to NE.
Dick told them. He had a dozen
means Of knowing. | wouldn't trust
that fellow as far as i could see him -
You are prejudiced," said Mr..
Brandt, looking annoyed Dick has
been with me nearly six months, and
I've never had Just cause to complain
Of him"
Its little singular, though
The manner in which be found the
letter. Why didn't he bring it to you
in the first palcc ?"
Nobody could give a good a suili-
cient reason. Esta repeated the one
Dick himself had offered, but it went
a very little way in convincing any
body.
Still. a. it was not manifest in
what way Dick expected to be bene-
fitted by the letter they could not
charge him with knowing more Of it
than he pretended.
Esta had drawn near the open
ere the close Of the interview
Just recorded. Was it Imagination,
or did she really hear the soft rustling
Of the grass under a retreating foot
steps
She looked out quickly just as a
dark figure darted around the corner
Of the house. Who had been listen
ing under the windOw-Dick Har-
grave?
She said nothing of what she had
seen but thought all the more be-
cause Of her silence
When Phil was ready to set out on
his journey to Waltham later in the
lay, with the money safely buckled
IN his belt, she brought him 4 pistol
with her own hands.
Take this" she said, looking up
1t him, very pale and trembling a
title you know what may occur
If the rogues are on the watch, they
ire sure to suspect your errand."
Bah :" laughed the handsome fel-
ow STOPPING to kiss her Il have
10 need of the pretty plaything
Besides, my own trusty barkers lie
lere next my heart"
He slapped his hand over his breast
md Esta heard the clear ring of
.teel.
you are sure they are loaded ?"
Yes. / looked to them last night.
was target-shoOting, You remem-
,er.r
He vaulted into the saddle and
ode away. Looking after him with
lin eyes, Esta suddenly thought of
heweapon she had brought for him
t lay in the chair by her side.
Some impulse caused her to pick it
p, and examine it more carefully.
t was capped, aud looked all right.
'he drove the ramrod home. 1t rang
gainst the bottom of the barreIl
Somebody has withdrawn the
barge!
The discovery frightened her. A
ameless dread sent the blood from
er hear. Scarcely knowing what
he did, she rushed downstairs to the
ousekeeper's room.
Where's Dick :" she cried.
Mrs. Bramble didn't know.
ale must have been gone fully an
our" she said. Perhaps he was
luirrel-hunting-at any rate, she
ad seen him cleaning bis pistols
nat morning"
Esta grew cold as death. But she |
aid nothing more. With her own
and she rammed home o charge in
le pistol she carried. Her mind was
Ill of the horror of a strange suspi-.
ion.
God grant | may be mistaken