The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-10


references, Mrs. Kelly p said Mrs.
Young, after asking few questions as
to age, capability, etc.
Indeed I can, ma'am," said Mrs.
Kelly, confidently. "There are many
families I've worked for will be glad to
speak good word for me, I'm sure"
Milly, or Maggie, as she now called
herself, was engaged, on condition the
references proved satisfactory; and
promising to return that night, she left
| the house with her "aunt."
"You're in luck, Maggie dear" said
Mrs. Kelly, as they went down the
street together. "She seems very
nice lady, and twelve dollars is good
beginning for girl like you"
ooh, Tom, I am SO perple1ed and
troubled She really I never took
such comfort in a girl before. So neat
and quick about her work, and so sweet
tempered and obliging I felt -
"Well. aunty, why need you worry
500 Just take the comfort of her. It
may be all right"
"Au right How can you talk so 2
And what comfort can take in a person
1 suspect of being an impostor 2 All
sorts of horrible suspicious come into
my head. I think you might help me,
Tom"
=" How can I help you ?" 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 n
| favorite of hers.
| Why, you are sharp boy-nobody
knows that better than yourself-and if
anything is to be found out"
| Tom looked gratifed; he was only
twenty three, and nothing hatters a
young man of that age moro than to be
credited with an uncommon degree of
penetration. Mrs. Young knew his
weakness, and took advantage of it in a
way scarcely creditable to herself.
Come, my young detective, you
must help me. I'm sure you'll clear
matters up"
&c It seems kind of mean, though, for
young fellow to play spy upon q nice,
pretty girl like that" said Tom, in a
tone that showed some disrclish of the
| task imposed upon him.
It's great deal meaner to allow
your aunt to be imposed upon-to har-
Dor disreputable person in her house,
perhaps" said Mrs. Young, vehement
ly. There's no help TO be got from
your uncle-he won't hear word of the
matter. And can't speak to the girl;
may be mistaken, and then -
There, there, aunty, I'll do my best
for you; only-don't expect miracles
from me-"
Il don't; only expect help. It's
lucky you're boarding here-you' ye moro
chance for observation"
Well, 10 business ~ said Tom, lean
idea of a detective. State your
grounds Of suspicion, madam"
"Well, the first time saw her it
struck me queerly, the difference be-
tween her and her aunt. Mrs. Kelly is
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 q
very pretty hand, and / am sure has read
great deal. Then -
Cali this is very well, but hardly
proves her an impostor. Don't Judge
the poor child too hastily, aunt"
81 don't intend tot But can you ex-
plain her being confused and turning as
rcd as fire when questioned her about
the place she came from2 And see what
Cousin Lu found in hel room"
"Lu be hanged |" said Tom, pushing
the little pocketbook angrily aside.
"What business has she pokine over
the poor girls things that way2 tell
you, aunt
Tom, Tom, be quietl we shall be
overheard. This pocketbook is q sort of
diary; that is, it has few blank leaves
to be written on. And on one Of these
leaves
"Dontl" said Tom, surprised and
almost dismayed at his own agitation.
"Poor little soul! It's too mean to haul
over her diary and thingsl' 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 q
name, Milly Westermann. and right un-
der it, Boston, April II, 18-. That's
just three months ago. The handwrit-
ing ia Maggie's-there's no mistake
about that. What am I to think of
that, when her aunt told me this was the
first city the poor child ever set foot
in7'"
TITS queer, but may be explained.
Perhaps she wrote friends name. I
must think it over, aunt" said Tom, as
he left the room.
Once in his own chamber, he bolted
the door, and lighting cigar, sat down
to think. An unpleasant frown darkened
his face.
"Who got me into this scrapeG" he
soliloquized.. Partly my own vanity,
partly wish to quiet aunty, and make
her let the girl alone. But it's dead
earnest now, Little serpentl to impose
upon honest folks with your baby face