Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-09-30

II was the ,ovsliest place for many
miles around, the Uttered farm houss
erandine Isolated In the midst Of 90
orchard. half way up the hillside. and
shut IL 81 . strip Of wood which CON
cealed Il from the village below.
This latter defect might have been
remedied BY judicious openings hers
and there: bat Miss Phoebe Howell
Va Of the old-fashioned, conservs
tive kind, and often remarked that
what had been good enough for ne!
father and grandfather was good
enough for her.
Consequently she was opposed 70
ali change and improvement on hei
farm; and this, in truth, hsd been
the cause Of Stephen Greers dismis'
cal; being of the progressive order,
he could not be brought to manage
her place In the slow. Old way thai
she preferred.
Stepben Vas working DOW II Farm
or Lswson's, ave miles up the valley,
and be hoped 10 be able soon 70 pur
chase . little place Of his own. and
70 ask Bessie Brown, Miss Phgoe
comely, rosy checked maid. TO share
his home with him.
Whether or no Bessie would con
sent wss . question with the gossips'
for. though stephen was good-looking
and clever, the girl did not seem par
ticulsrly 70 fancy him.
some limited Ut . liking which was
supposed to have existed between
Beasie and Miss Phebe's nephew, an
orphan boy whom she had grudgingly
brought up and assisted 10 educate,
and Who hsd disappointed her expec
tatisDs by falling into idle and dissi'
pated habits, instead Of working ON
the farm steadily.
Three years ago she had given him
4 little money and sent him away 10
seek work for himself. charging him
never 70 return or write to her until
he should be settled in some steady
employment.
he had gone west. made some mo.
pey. and. q his aunt heard, wasted II
In unsuccessful speculation. Thence
forth she " hsd-given him up" AZ she
expressed Il, convinced that be would
never come TO any good"
But one bright. mild day 10 early
sprins, about SIX months alter Stephen
Greer had left Hillside, . young man
stopped 1t the Fsrmers' Rest Tavern,
. few miles from the village, and ask
ed for . frugal supper. He was poorly
clad, and evidently desired TO pass q
Q stranger; but one OF the stsblcmen
recognized n him the loDg-abseni
nephew Of Miss Rowell.
The man, however. did not betray
his knowledge; and the guest, having
partsken Of the meal he had ordered,
went on his way, replying, In answer
70 question, that he should not pass
through the village, but would take q
shorter route 70 the main road.
About one hour after he had left
Geophen Greer came riding past, and,
seeing the lsndlady busted about heI
flower borders. rsking the beds and
planting seeds, stopped for few mo
ments' chat.
In the course Of their talk Mrs. Win
tsrby mentioned their late guest, and
their suspicI0ps Of bis being Rober,
Steel, Mir Rowell's nephew.
"That's not likely Stephen re
marked. carelessly. eff he were Rob
ert Steel. what motive could he have
for wishing 70 conceal ity Or why
should be 20 through the neighbor
hooa. right through the Hillside farm,
asd not stop 70 see bis sunts"
s'Or 70 zee Bessie" suggested the
landlord. Who was standing by and
not 10th 70 teSse Stephen . little
Folks used TO say there was more
than ordinary liking between them
two: and that was one reason, I fan.
cy. Of bis auut's sending him away.
She wasn't willing 70 lose Bessie
services, when she knew she couldn',
get another like her II she searched
the couptry round. Now III Law q
wager the lad n stop to see his old
sweetheart: and IL you're on your
way up there. Steve. you'll have q
chance 10 make his acquaintance
Hes : fine. looking fellow. spite his
shsbby clothes. y
Stephen flushcd q little, hut made
llRht Of the subject.
Early the next morning the little
inn ana the village were In q state ol
great excitement' Mis- pbmbe Row
ell had been found dead In bed. with
narks Of linrers upon her throat. Ant
The bureau IL which abe kent her mo
new had been bruken omen and Il,
contents sbetractsd.
From far and near people hastouct
70 the scene Of the tragedy, and poo
Baesie vsa wellnirh distractod will
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ouestions viii
which she Vas piled.
she had but little 20 tell. On Ii,
previous day Miss Phmbe had Der
mitted her q 20 10 merry. maxim,
& her aunt's n the Village. on coudi
dillon 81 belnr back 10 her work b,
sunrise next morning.
0he had returned puuctuslly Al III,
appointed dime. and found Davit
Barnes. the ga man who had Stepher
0reer's place, quietly attending 10 hi
earlv moFnIne dutIes.
To her surprise she observed he
mlatress's hetlruorn window raises
and The blind open, asd. surmisin,