The Republican journal., 1874-02-26

Neaillllie, lilc uiN appointed by the law
yers Tor entering into arrangements with
their client respecting the fortune of which
he had unexpectedly come into possession
by the death of a brother abroad, had come
and gone. The perpleXed legal firm, act
ing in the interest Of their client, insttut-
ed rigorous search, but without success.
The friend, Jacob Moss. 4 feeble old man,
had been duly communicated with and
keenly crosse Xamined. DAVID Birch had
paid his visit on the day named, arriving,
as far rs the old man could recollect about
halt-past two, and starting on his return
journey about dusk Here the clue wag
lost Thus the days Went by without
throwing any light on the old mans fate,
and poor Polly, worn with 9riet and any
letV, often cried herself to sleep
"Oh Nellie Nellie vou don't l.now
what has happened r
1t was with these words that John Birch
had suddenly presented himself to his sis
ter, a tall, dali-eyed girl, who might have
been taken a. a sottcned likeness of him
sell, She was husily at work when he
came in. bat on the iirst Glance at his
agitated face she dropped her needle and
rose hurriedlN
"Oh, John what is the mattcr2''
"tncle David has been missing from
home since the 2}d Of last month"; and no
ohe can tell what has become of hin" "
"MiSSing from home, John why. it
was only last Weel, that we heard he had
u fortune left him hy his brother"
Yes, that's true enough, Nellie and |
hear that it comes to me after his death.
The lawyers are seeking him everywhere.
But think OF poor Polly being in all this
trouble and MS never to know it, 1t Just
seems a. if that odd Job Of work in the
country came on purpose to take me out
OF her way aad you're so moped up here
that You never hear anything, he added
lrctluly.
John, I'll put on my things and 20 to
her at once if yoH think | can DO any
good
"IcS, Neil, think You may. ! know
always like TO have you by me when I'm
in trouble. would 60 myself but I'm
forbidden the house You remember W hat
| told yon OF my quarrel with the old man
| wish TO heaven those i'll words had not
passed between us
At that moment there was sound of
heavy footsteps on the stairs, followed BY
a smart rap ut the door Nellie went to
open it, but started back at the sight of
two policemen on the threshold
"Docs John Birch live here =
Yes | am John Birch, the Young man
called out what do you want with me 81
Come this way and I'll tell you
NO, tell me here
lhe officer glanced compasscalatrly at
Nellie $ white face rs he answered, "Well.
if You don't mind the Young woman hear
ing, you're our prisoner"
"lour priFoner lmpo77ibIe, On what
charge -
II dare -yy yon know wen enough.
There > been body found by the river.
and it, thought there been -orne foul
play.
w hose body -
''David birch'9 the bird -tanrirr t,tt'
been mis7in" lately"
My uncle r. gasped John
"E<aotly You're our man lpu'sr
had 4 quarrel with him. and you're lrra +
ed on iupcion We cot the clue troin
homa1 Bartlett"
"BartIett" The Young carpenter L.
peated the name with 4 proan AMI stag
gered against the wall, adding May God
forgive him thi' Wickedness r.
AT the same moment his sister threw
herself on hi neck with a cry that thrilled
these who heard it