The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-11-19

life wIhen he was nearly drowned In crossing
swollen river on our run. That, you may
be sure, was never forgotten by my uncle.
He very quickly raised him to one of the
chief osts on the estate, and at the time that
/ came to live at Wangoora, six years ago,
be was the constant companion of my uncle
in his journeys. and had evidently secured
his confidence 1850.
"But you spoke of him to me as danger
| GUS" - r.
/ Yes; he Is dangerous, and bad, too
very soon discovered that But 1 cannot for
moment imagine that he would have
plotted against his benefactor's life. He
had everything 10 lose and nothing conceiv-
able to gain by my unc'es death"
That was perfectly true, and it was the
one great stumbling block in the way of my
theory regarding the murder. Finter I'M
doubleday had nothing to gain by it. ~ s
Daisy" l said, "you must forgive me for
questioning you on a subject that has long
puzzled me, but about which saw that you
did not wish to tell me anything. want to
know all that you can tell me about that
man whom saw in the railway station here,
on the day we first met 1t is necessary that
you should tell me all, my darling"
She blushed slightly, and then a faint
smile lighted up her worn face.
"Ah, how happy an accident 1t was that
led me to the carriage whers you were
seated that dayi should havs been with
out friend now but for that"
"But about this man-Gregsonr
VI should have told you all about him il
there had been any opportunity of doing so
after you spoke to me at the hall. For, do
You know, that at one time he had tried to
make me believe that he was in love with
L.. AZ. 4
whatever about him he began to persecute
me in a mean, paltry kind Of way, till
positively became afraid of him."
"Whers was it that he first began to annoy
your
"At Wangoora, about thrc, years ago
You see, he was my uncles confidential
clerk, and came great deal to the house
He had not then given way, as fear he has
done now to lad habits, and no was a great
friend of DR.. Branksome's. never cared
for HMM the least" Dear heart! she
looked up at me with the happy smile of a
maiden who tells her story for the first time
to the man she loves, and for a moment we
forgot all about the prison bars, and the two
women who sat mutely watching us at the
other end of the cell H1. So
"When he found that did not care for
him he became, as I said very disagreeable.
He would try to waylay me and hint dread
full things about having me in his power,
and think that very soon he came to hate
me as much as he had once protested to like
me. Then he became careless and disobe.
dent In his work, aud he quarreled with
Flinter and was insolent to Dr. Branksome,
and the end Of 1t all was that he was dis
missed"
"And what happened thenT
Ha IN hos
discovered some dreadful plot in which we
were all engaged for the purpose Of inn
posing upon my uncle. l laughed at him at
the time, for l knew of course that there
was no plot of any kind, and little dreamed
OF what was coming. But the man became
hateful both to me and my uncle, especially
when we found that he had actually followed
us to England. have never seen him, how
ever. since that day at York"
"Tell me, dearest, who were the persons
whom he charged with being in this plot!'
"Oh, / believe l was the chief sinner of all.
He several times met me when / was alone
and accused me of it. Then he hated Film
ter, and said dreadful things about him, and
even about Dr. Branksomc But 1 never
knew what the plot was to which he re-
ferred."
"Did DR.. Branksome know what the man
was saying about hlmF
"Of course he did. Why, think that,
next to me, he hatei DIR. Branksome the
most and remember his saying once that
he could have sent him to penal servitude if
he liked"
ain DR.. Branksome's presences"
Eyes" VI.
was startled by what had heard, for
remembered how Branksome had disclaimed
lao ,IaIn NHt
language to me in the railway train when l
had reported it to him. Some strange fan
cies stole into my brain.
"Tell me, Daisy, what do you think Of Dr.
Branksome himselfl'
She glanced up at me, and that troubled,
doubtful look which had noticed more than
once at Scarborough passed over her face.
"Ido not know how can answer your ques-
tion," she said, after a pause, and speaking
very slowly, as though weighing all her
words. DR.. Branksome is wonderful man.
i never met any one like him When am
with him he can make me do every thing he
wishes-or nearly everything. It is only
when / am away from him that doubs and
fear him."
AThen Won do doubt and fear him some
timesp "
ayes, when he Is not near me. When no
is hardly seem to nave any will OF my 4
own. 1t is very strange. 1 cannot explain
it Sometimes think he is very, very
good man; but there are times when 1 think |
very differently of him."
when did you see him last, Daisyp l |
asked, feeling as though were on the brink |
of some great discovery.
"The day before the trial began. Did you
not knowi Has he not told your
Gle has told me rothinon
"That is strange, for he promised that he |
would doso He brought me my will, which |
it seemed that it was necessary should sign |
before was tried"
"Your will L don't want to pry into |
your private affairs, my darling, but / must |
ask you If You left anything to DIR. Branlv
somep t ft tf
Anythingl Why, 1 left everything to |
him, of course-that is, every thing but some |
little things I want you" She stopped, |
blushing rosy red.
'Do you mean you left all your uncle's for
tune to Dr. Branksomer
ayes; you see he was the trustee appointed |
by my uncle, and he did not need to tell me