The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-06-14
CHAPTER Xxx.

WATChlNG AND WAIT1NG.
~ don't know how I came to give him
the chance. This will be lesson to me,
Norris. l was too conceited, and thought
myself far too sharp; wanted all the credit
Of unraveling this affair. You remember
that Maloncy told us Edison had gone out to
seek the assistance of friend that night
when you so opportunely found himl Well,
l set myself to watch for that friend, sup
posing he had got an inkling of Edson's
whereabouts, and today when / was told
that q person had been inquiring for him,
went down to interview tho person. 1t
turned out to be one of those cadaverous
tract peddlers, on the hunt Of sinners to
convert, but spent some little time talk
ing to him, to convince myself of the gen.
uineness of his mission. When went bacl,
to the sick room, found it empty Mind
you, that Miller, as he called himself, had
never fairly come out of his stupid state
He took what wo gave him, ate and slept,
and lay there like man whose mind was
torpid; but / can see now he had his wits
about him through all He knew ne had
given himself away to me, and he took this
way Of beating me- You're in the right Of
1t to be modest, my boy. I'll never boast Of
my own smartness again"
HE may have wandered away in fit of
alteration" suggested Norris.
"No thought of that but in that case
he could not have gone far without calling
attention to himself. can find absolutely
no trace of him, and have been hunting
since noon. He knew what he was about,
and has been storing his strength for just
such an effort. have no doubt"
Uncle Amos spoke moodily. He was Bit
terly disappointed and humiliated ut this
result Of his detective experience.
There UNA bor 20 o1;, ~ L., tho x,o,,, oo.
mans breast. His ono hope of serving
Carol and saving her from Ingot had disap-
peared with Edson Fate was taking q cruel
pleasure in thwarting him whichever way
he turned.
1t might be as WELL He had no doubt
Althea was right in saying Carol had been
influenced by her brother; but would she
care to be saved at the expense of that
brother, whom she adored. The more he
thought Of it, the moro Norris was con-
vinccd that Lyman Childer had been guilty .
Of some wrong doing which gave Ingot o
hold on him. 1t might be completely in that
defalcation Of tho previous cashier, or it
might be something entirely independent
OF the business Of the bank. He could not
give form to tho suspicious which assailed
him, but some underlined foreboding led him
to step which he did not think necessary
to reveal even to his uncle.
About this time, good Mrs. Bates began
to shake her head and sigh dolorously over
the change in her model lodgcr. Daylight
was struggling in ut the windows before
his latch-key clicked In the lock, and he
dragged himself wearily up to his room to
lie there till noon, when he appeared heavy
eyed, listless, without appetite or zest, only
to 20 through the same performance when
night came around again.
The first time or two this happened, Mrs.
Bates only murmured that "young mon
would be young men," but after nearly
week Of such actions she unburdened her.
self to Sally.
"Pve seen many one go the same way,
and it's alters them that seems inner
contest that's the worst when they once
gets goin'. It's downright shameless not
to miss one night, l sayl Had the head
ache this morning, had hel Well, don't
wonder 1t would be hardened old topper
that wouldn't have it after such round.
I'll give him o piece of my mind If he starts
out tonight, you see II don't"
Accordingly, when Norris made his prepa-
rations for leaving the house he found his
landlady in the way.
"I wouldn't make so bold for every one,
but can't bear to sec you going on SO, Mr..
Norris. Hain't you any mercy on yourself,
ut alll How long III you stand it ut this rate,
do you thinki 'Tain't as il you was seasoned
to these things. It's a-tellin' on you now,
as blind man might see, or wouldn't a
took the liberty, for / thinks to myself he
hain't no one to advise him, and mebbe
word spoke in season will make him see the
danger of his ways"
"Thank you, Mrs. Bates. ] Ian sure you
mean kindly" said Norris, with hidden
smile lurking at the corners of his mouth.
~ hope, then, you'll stay in this evening,
sir If you knowed how I've worrited, you'd
take better care of yourself Go to bed at
Christian hour, Mr., Norris, do. You'll feel
enough better In the morning"
"Your advice is good, Mrs Bates, and |
I'm sorry can't act on 1t; but don't worry |
about me. III turn over new leaf with the |
new year, promise you that. Every young |
man must have his fling, you know and |
n me is, perhaps, not so bad as you think"
Laughing, he left her, to make his way to |
q many stOried building in which he had |
rented q room. It had this advantage, its |
commanded view of the banking |
institution OF Everleigh & Childer, and here |
Norris had been keeping watch night after |
night, expecting he scarcely knew what.
Some attempt upon it, possibly, in view Of |
that note Althea had receved-or some |
traitorous deed by one employed within.
He was here in pursuance Of his promise |
TO protect Mr.. Everleigh's interests as he |
would his own. He would trust to other |
means when he was once admitted to the
bank; until then, he would keep guard in
the only way he could
ITO BE CONTINUED.