Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-29
sorts OF horrible suspicious como into
my head. think you might help me,

with Quizzical air. He was tall
dark young fellow, with q face almos
too sharp featured for beauty, bat th
good natured gleam in his large blac
eyes softened their keenness. A smil
crossed Mrs. Young's anxious face a
she looked at him. He was evidently
favorite OF hers.
Why, you are q sharp boy-nobod,
knows that better than yourself--and !
anything is to be found ont -
Tom looked gratiAed; he was onl.
twenty. three, and nothing fatters
young man OF that age more than to b.
credited with an uncommon degree 0
penetration. Mrs. Young knew hi
weakness, and took advantage Of IL in
way scarcely oreditable to herself.
Come, my young detective, yo'
must help me. I'm sure you'll cleal
matters up"
"It seems kind OF mean, though, fol
q young fellow to play spy upon q nice
pretty girl like that" said Tom, in
tone that showed some disrolish Of thu
task imposed upon him.
"It's a great deal meaner to allow
your aunt to be imposed upon-to har
Dor disrcputable person in her house
perhaps" said Mrs. Young, vehement
ly. There's no help to be got from
your uncle-he won't hear a word of the
matter. And I can't speak to the girl; ]
may be mistaken, and then -
" There, there, aunty, I'll do my best
for you; only-dont expect miracles
from me-"
"I don't; I only expect help. It't
lucky you're boarding here-you've moro
chance for observation.
"Well, to business r. said Tom, lean.
ing forward, and trying to look like his
idea Of q detective. estate your
grounds of suspicion, madam."
"Well, the first time I saw her il
struck me queerly, the difference be.
tween her and her amt. Mrs. Kelly is
n decent sort of body, but this girl is SO
gentle, so refined, numbers of people
have asked me who that young lady was.
She speaks excellent English, writes a
very pretty hand, and l am sure has read
a great deal. Then -
"All this is very well, but hardly
proves her an impostor. Don't judge
the poor child too hastily, aunt"
81 don't intend tol But can you ex-
plain her being confused and turning as
red as fire when I questioned her about
The place she came from9 And see what
Cousin Lu found in her ROOM"
"Lu be hanged !" said Tom, pushing
he little pocketbook angrily aside.
What business has she poking over
he poor girls things that way7 I tell
you, aunt
"Tom, Tom, be quietl we shall be
This pocketbook is sort Of
liary; that is, it has few blank leaves
20 be written on. And on one of these
eavcs"-
"Don't!" said Tom, surprised and
llmost dismayed at his own agitation.
Poor little soul It's too mean to haul
'ver her diary and thingsl" He showed
,ack his chair violently, ready to beat
himself for the almost agonized desire
10 felt to "know the worst"
"On one of these leaves" repeated
Mrs. Young, resolutely, is written
lame, Milly Westermann, and right un-
Ter it, Boston, April II, 18-. That's
ust three months ago. The handwrit-
ng is Maggie's-theae's no mistake
bout that. What am to think of
hat. when her aunt told me this was the
irst city the poor child ever set foot
n p"
"It's queer, but may be explained.
Perhaps she wrote friends name. I
nust think it over, aunt" said Tom, as
le left the room.
Once in his own chamber, he bolted
he door, and lighting cigar, sat down
0 think. An unpleasant frown darkened
is face.
"Who got me into this scrape9" he
"Partly my own vanity,
artly wish to quiet aunty, and make
er let the girl alone. But it's dead
now. Little serpent to impose
pom honest folks with your baby face
nd soft, innocent waysl But you've
let your match now, miss. I'm on
our track, and if I don't find you out
efore this weeks over -
Tom never stopped to ask himself the
sason of his excessive agitation and
'rath. He only shook his head grimly
aree or four times, in a manner very
ortentous to poor Maggie, and resumed
is cigar.
"What is the matter9 Have they
,und me outs Mrs. Young is so cold
, mo and for all Mr.. TOMS SO polite
nd smiling, I feel he's Watching me all
lie time. God help me A falsehood
ways brings its own punishment ; but
ever girl was tempted -
Poor Maggie thought all this to her
slf, busting the parlor mantelpiece the
lille as if her life depended on it. A
w hot tears would fall now and then.
GIVE a great mind to confess, and
ase my heart of this load. If only
; Milly!"
"Sir - said Maggie, turning, with a
reat start in the direction of the voice.
hen she recollected herself, turned
,arlet and pale by turns, but braced
erself as only woman can when on her
slf-defense, and said, quietly "Did
on call, sir 2"
"Yes, and you answered" said Tom,
oming forward. His voice had pleas
Mt, half humorous tone, but there was
CLEAN in his eye that was almost q
lreat. Not less defiant shone the light
| the blue eyes looking back into his,
lough she dropped them Immediately,
ith a simple:
"Did you wish anything, siri"
son her guard" thought Tom.
What the deuce has made her sus-
ect2 She looked fit to murder me JUS
ow." Aloud he said, carelessly: "Oh,
othing. l run down to Westbrook to-
ay, and as your uncle lives there -
Maggie's face grew deathly white.
he turned away without word.
"As your uncle lives there" Tom
ent on, pretending not to notice, 81
fought you might like to send some
ord"
~Thank you; ! won't trouble you,
r." said Mas gle, in cold, naughty
oice.
"Oh, no trouble" said Tom, cheer
lily. "Shall I tell him you are well
nd happy 2" i
"You needn't tell him anything"
lid Maggie, some irritation mingling
ith her alarm.
"Howl not word to the old gentle
ian What an undutiful niece you are,
[aggie |"
Maggie struggled moment with her
,ars, then took refuge in anger.
81 can manage my own affairs, sir,