Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-04-26

And what comfort can take in a person l
suspect of being an impostor? All sorts
ofhorrible suspicious come into my head.
l think you might help me, Tom
How can help yous" asked Tom,
with quizzical air. He was a tall, dark
| young fellow, with face almost too
sharp featured for beauty, but the good
| natured CLEAN in his large, black eyes
softened their keenness. A smile crossed
Mrs. Young's anxious face as she looked
at him. He was evidently favorite Of
hers
Why, you are sharp boy-nobody
knows that better than yourself-and if
anything is to be found out"
Tom looked gratified; he was only
twenty three, and nothing tlatters young
man Of that age more than to be credited
with an uncommon degree of penetration
Mrs Young knew his weakness, and took
advantage of it in way scarcely credit
able to herself.
Come, my young detective, you must
help me. I'm sure you'll clear matters
up"
cit seems kind of mean, though, for a
young fellow to play spy upon nice,
pretty girl like that said Tom, in tone
imposed upon him.
g It's great deal meaner to allow your
aunt TO be imposed upon--to harbor dis
reputable person in her house, perhaps"
said Mrs. Young, vchemently. There's
no help to be got from your uncle-hc
won't hear word of the matter. And
can't speak to the girl; l may be mis-
taken, and then"
fbar do
for you only-don't expect miracles from
me-
II don't l only expect help. It's
chance for observation"
"Well, to business" said Tom, leaning
forward, and trying to look like his idea
of detective. State your grounds OF
suspicion, madam"
"Well, the first time saw her it struck
me queerIy, the difference between her
and her aunt. Mrs. Kelly is decent sort
of body, but this girl is so gentle, so re-
fined, numbers Of people have asked me
who that young lady was. She speaks
excellent English, writes very pretty
hand, and Pm sure has read 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 to! But can you ex-
plain her being confused and turning as
red as fire when l questioned her about
the place she came FROM? And see what
Cousin Lu found in her room"
Lu be hanged" said Tom, pushing
the little pocket book angrily aside.
"What business has she poking over the
poor girls things that way? | tell you,
aunt"
Tom, Tom, be quiet we shall be
overheard. This pocket-book is sort Of
diary; that is, it has few blank leaves
to be written on. And on one of these
leaves"
"Dontr' said Tom, surprised and al
most dismayed at his own agitation.
Poor little soul It's too mean to haul
over her diary and things!" He showed
back his chair violently, ready to beat
himself for the almost agonized desire he
felt to know the worst"
"On one of these leaves repeated
Mrs. Young, resolutely, is written a
name, Milly Westermann, and right I'M
der it, Boston, April II, 1S-. That's
just three months ago. The handwriting
is Maggie's -there's no mistake about
that. What am to think of that, when
her aunt told me this was the first city
the poor child everset foot in"
Its queer, but may be explained. Per
haps she wrote a friends name. | must
think it over, aunt" said Tom, as he left
the room.
Once in his own chamber, he boiled
the door, and lighting cigar, sat down to
think. An unpleasant trown darkcned
his face.
what got me into this scrapeg" he
soliloquzed. Partly my own vanity,
partly wish to quiet aunty, and make
her let the girl alone. Bui it's dead earn
est now-itn' Here an ejaculation more
emphatic than pious came Kissing through
his shut teeth Little serpent! to i'm
pose upon honest folks with your baby
face and soft, innocent ways. But you've
met your match now, miss. I'm on your
track, and if don't find you out before
the weeks over"
Tom never stopped to ask himself the
reason Of his excessive agitation and
wrath. He only shook his head grimly
three or four times, in manner very por-
tentous to poor Maggie, and resumed his
cigar.
"What is the matter? Have they found
me out, Mrs. Young is so cold TO me!
And for all Mr. Toms so polite and smil-
ing, feel he's watching me ali The time.
God help me! A ialsehood always brings
its own punishment; but if ever "a girl
vas tempted"
Poor Maggie thought all this to herself,
busting the parlor mantel-piece the while
as if her life depended on it. A few hot
tears would tall now and then.
I've great mind to confess, and ease
my heart OF this load. If only
"Millym
STRIP said Maggie, turning with
great start, in the direction of the voice
Then she recolected herself, turned scar