The Osceola times., 1885-05-30
A SOCIAL SURPRISE.
The Evidence Picked Up by a Nat
ural-Born Detective.

Two girls were walking slowly along
the clm-shaded street of a country town.
Their heads were close together, their
rosy faces eager. their voices lowered
to the pitch Of confidential communica.
ton.
Early this morning." the taller OF
the pair was saying, II was sitting
studying behind the blinds of the front
pnrlor window, when Amy Jaynes came
hurrying along, and met Clara Williams
right by our house.
81 was coming to SEQ Fanny before
she goes. began Clara.
Don't stop me" said Amy, out OF
breath. We've had an accident at our
house. and I'm going for the doctor
Then l could not hear distinctly
what she said, she spoke so fast But |
made out that somebody had been
drinking all night. He always takes a
bottle to bed with him. she said, very
plainly. And again. Before mamma
awoke. he stole up to her bed and
almost Drained herr
The rascal said Clara But, poor
fellow he can't be called responsible
being, / suppose. I'll go to the doc
tors with you And away they ran.
The narrator paused portentously.
"Well?" said the auditor.
"Weu" The repetition was impa-
tient "Who is the only person in that
house who would be likely to drink
hard? Whose misdeeds would the fam
lily be interested in concealing? But
listen! After breakfast was clearing
up my bedroom, when Dr. Sargent and
Harry Jaynes walked down the street
and stopped ut our corner for a few
parting words. slipped down stairs
to get nearer peep At my young gen.
tleman. AsI expected, his eyes were
red and his face chalky. Now and then
he put up his hands 10 his forehead.
The first words heard we're; Il have
headachen
That's not to be wondered at, said
the doctor. Your mothers aches
worse, I'll warrant. What she wants is
a fortnight in the country
Harry laughed in a foolish, awk-
ward way.
This is an unlucky accident-hap-
pening just now, he said.
The doctor put his hand on his
shoulder, and talked low and seriously
for full a minute, Harry never lifted his
eyes from the ground. They said,
Good-morning" and the doctor turned
around to call out; They 60 at half-past
eight supposed? Harry nodded, and
went up the hill toward home.
Now, Florry Wells, am going to
school by way of the station, to pick
up another link of circumstantial evi-
dence.n
Daisy Dorr. you are a natural-born
detective! 1t is genius, not talent, with
you"
Daisy smiled modestly.
ut is odd how things drift to me-!
There is some principle of natural grav-
itation in it all. | sit still. and frag-
ment, of proof are thrown into my lap.
The only talent ] display is in fitting
the mosaic bits together. As you say.
it is gift"
At twenty-five minutes past eight
they were at the station, and took their
stand in an obscure corner behind a
pile of freight At twenty-six minutes
past eight carriage drove up. Harry
Jaynes was on the box with the coach
man. He leapcd down. opened the
door, and helped out his married sister,
a nurse and infant. Then Amy stepped
to the platform, and turned to give her
hand to lady in widows mourning,
nlnaalv votIoA Che v,,4voI faohIy
ing on her sons shoulder in alighting.
and leaning on her daughters arm when
Harry hurried off for tickets. Through
the dense blackness of the Grape veil
our detectives could make out that she
wore bandage over the left eye, and
their hearts brimmed with horror and
pity.
''How pale and sad Amy and her
sister look" whispered Daisy. "See
him helping his mother into the cars
and carrying the baby! He's named
for him, too, you know-Harry Jaynes
Deane. l should think they would feel
like changing that now"
Amys cheeks were wet with tears as
the stood on the platform to wave a
farewell at the window from which
Baby Harry's face smiled at her. Her
brother silently drew her hand into his
arm, and led her away. Her pallor and
depression were noticed that day at
school by others besides the knowing
two who were in the possession of the
clue. The Principal inquired il she had
q headache, and the entire class saw
the girls eyes fill as she replied in the
negative. Her bosom-fricnd and desk
mate, Clara Williams. offered an cx-
PLANTATION Of her sorrowful aspect at re-
cess, when Amy had gone home.
Her sister, Mrs. Deane, started for
St. Louis this morning. Amy is de-
voted to her and tho baby. 1t is a
dreadful trial to them all, her living so
far away"
HAS Mrs. Jaynes gone to St Louis.
toO?' queried Plorry.
Daisy pinched her indiscreet COM
rade, and Clara looked surprised at the
question.
mo. She has not been well for
Some weeks; . touch Of malaria the