Nebraska advertiser., 1876-08-03

in silence. He already felt difficult
ty in giving his reputed parents a
name.
"What, the Gandys?"
Charley nodded.
mo; I've given 'em hints at times
that l knew summat, but not what it
was"
land what was your motive for
telling me all this so suddenly? How
is it you have not done so before ~
asked Charley, stopping and fixing
his eyes upon his companion.
"What was my motive?" The
question somewhat staggered Bilge
for moment Well, as far as that
goes, I felt in the humor. Besides,
| didn't think you was old enough
before, and-But, Lor' bless us! do
you think that people can always tell
why they does things to-day, and
didn't do 'em yesterday ?"
With brain too crowded with be-
wildering thoughts to dwell upon one
point, Charley scarcely heard this in
coherent explanation, his mind being
already engaged upon other ideas.
"What is your opinion of the MUIR
der? By whom do you think it was
committed ?" he asked abruptly.
Il should be sorry to give an Opin-
ion about what puzzled my betters,"
was a cautious reply.
II should like to see the place."
said the youth musingly.
"Well, think we might manage
that" answered Bilge, quickly, as
though seizing upon a lucky thought.
"Do you-how ?" asked Charley,
eagerly.
"Well, Mother Gandy's mother is
the housekeeper that's been left in
charge of the place all these years,
and she couldn't very we'll refuse her
grandson-or, leastways, he who pass
es for sich-a sight of the old place."
1t was then arranged that they
should start upon their expedition
the next morning. Bilge wanted to
postpone il for some days, but Char
ley would not consent. A carrier
went on that day every week as far as
Holly Hill, a village situated within
five miles of the Hall. They propos-
ed TO avail themselves of his cart so
far, and walk the remaining distance.
They could return by the same con-
veyance in the evening.
i've got an old newspaper at home
with an account of the murder In 1t,
and a plan of the house." said Bilge
$50 that we shall be able to trace all
the rooms. And now / don't think it
advisable for you and me to be seen
together: so, as your times all your
own and mine:ain't I'll just go for'ard
and you can follow presently"
So, after arranging their meeting
place in the morning, they parted
about mile from the quay Charley
sat down upon the shelving bank of
the footpath, while Bilge pursued his
way toward the town.
"Well, 1 think I've found out a
way to pay you with interest for your
half-pound of sugar, Mother Candy"
he muttered to himself as he plodded |
along. "With little management l
can make this spooney boy puppet
in my hands, and profitable one, too,
if things turn out to be as l suspect.
The only trouble will be to keep 'un
quiet, and from going blabbing to the
old 'oman. l must keep 'un busy
with summat. Going to look at the
Hall was good thought. That'll
amuse 'un for tomorrow, and p'r'aps
by that time / shall think of summat
else"
And so Jack Bilge went his way,
in the prospect of q satisfac-
tory revenge.
After an hour of dreaming, Charley
slowly strolled homeward. Mrs Gan
dy, according to her wont, after what
her husband phrased as "a regular
flare up" had been somewhat milder
of temper during the last two days,
and, when he entered the shop, she
greeted him With an expression as
like good humor as her sour visage
was capable of, and a "Just in time
for dinner, Charley" But the tho't
crossed him, Might not this woman
have been accessory to the murder of
my mother?" It was an awful sus-
picion, but he could never shake off
the shuddering repugance that from
that hour he felt towards her.
Just before they sat down to dinner
she cried out, There's the postman
across the road run and see if be has
any letter for me, Charley"
There was none, and Mrs Gandy's
face fell. Charley observed her man
ner. ''Bilge is right, he said to him
self; ''she is expecting letter about
me-"
He would have begun the system
prescribed by that astute adviser, of
worrying the old 'omsn," but the
aspect of her face warned him of foul
coming On. and, desirous of
avoiding any disagreement with her
n his present state of mind, he took
he first opportunity to leave the
house unobserved. He wandered in
20 the fields, and, casting himself be- !
cath the shadow of tree, mused Q
and dreamed the day away, and did L
not return home until supper time.
He found Mrs. Candy still what her
husband phrased grumpy ;" but, by e
being silent during the meal, aud 60 a
ng to bed Immediately after 1t, he
to avoid any collision with q
ler.