The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-13

De erlt.
1t was not strange, therefoves that the
little people of the Indian Spring school
knew perhaps more of he real relations of
Cressy McKiustry to her admirers than the
admirers themselves. Not that this knowl-
edge was ouispoken-for children rarely
gossip in the grown-up senSa-or even com
municable by words intelligent to the
matured intellect A whisper. laugh that
often seemed vague and unmeaning, coz
veyed to each other world Of secret sig
niti ,ance, and an apparently senseleSs
burst Of merriment in which the whole
class joined and that the adult critic set
down to 'aulmal Spirits quality much
more rare with children than generally sup
poSed-waS only a sympathetic expression
OF some discovery happily obvious TO older
preoccupation. The childish simplicity Of
Uncle Ben perhaps appealed more strongly
to their sympathy, and alth )ugh, for that
very reason, thov regarded him with 10
more respect than they did each Other, he
was at times carelessly admitted to their
confidence. 1t was especially Rupert FL
gee who extended kind of patronizing
protectorate over him-lot unmixed with
doubts Of his sanity-in spite of the prom
ised confidential clerkshlp he was to receive
from his hands
On the day of the events chroaicled in the
preceding chapter, Rupert on returning
from school was somewhat surprised to find
Uncle Ben perched upon the rail fence be-
fore the humble door of the Filgee mansion
and evidently awaiting him,
Slowly dismounting as Rupert and John
ny approached, he beaned upon the former
for some moments with arch and yet affa-
BILE mystery.
"Roopy, old man, s'pose we've got yer
buds ready in all yer pack, eh!"
A flush of pleasure passed over the
boys handsome face. He cast, however,
a hurried look down on the all-pervading
johnny.
"'Cause We see we kalkilate to take the
down stage to Sacramento a 4 o'clock, "
continued Uncle Ben, enjoying Rupert's
half sceptical su prise. "Ye enter into
Office, so to speak, with me at that hour,
when the sellery SIS IN NTH and board, ez
private and confidential clerk, Degins-ehW
RupertS dImples deepened in charming,
almost feminine, embarrassment.
But dad" he stammered.
"EJs all right with him. He's agreea-
BILE"
"But-9'
Uncle Ben followed Rupert's glance at
Johnny, who, however, appeared t. be alb
sorbad in the patent of Uncle Ben's new
trousers.
That's fixed" he said, with meaning
smile. There's a sort o bonus we pays
down, you know-for a Chinyman to do
the odd jobs"
And teacher-Mr Ford-did ye tell
himI said Rupert, Frightening.
Uncle Ben c5ughed slightly.
He's agreeable, too, | reckon. That isl
he wipe his N 1uth meditatlyely, che ez good
ez allowed it in gin'ral conversation a week
ago, Ruoe.n
A swift shadow of suspicion darkened the
boys brown eyes
is anybody else goin' with usl" ne said,
quickly.
Not this yer trip" replied Uncle Ben,
compiacently ~ see. RUPEE no con
tinued, drawing him aside with an air of
comfortable mystery, This yer biz'ness
b1 ngs to the private and confidential
branch Of the Office. From informashun
we've received
We" interrupted Rupert.
We. that's the offs you know" con-
tinued UncIe Ben, with a heavy ass imUtion
at business fOrmality, "wOt we've received
per several hands and con,ignee-we-
that's you and me, Rupe-we goes down to
Sacramento to inqui into the standin' of a
certing party. as per invoice, and ter see
tor see-ter negotiate, you know, ter ii I'd
| out if she's married or divorced" he con
| cludsd, quickly, as il abandoning for the
moment MS business manner in considera-
ton Of Rupert's inexperience We're to
| find out her standin', Ripe" he began again,
| WIN Il more JuilclOus blending oil ease and
| technc4lity, land her contracts, if any, and
where she lives and her ways o. Life, and
examine her books and papers ez to mar
rlages and slch, and arbitrate with her GIN
rally IN cOnvers tion-you inside ths house
and me out on the pavement, ready to be
called in if an interview with business prin-
| cipals IS desiredn
Observing Rupert somewhat perplexed
and confused with these technicalites, he
tactfully abandoned them for the present,
and consulting pocletbook said
"Pve made a memorandum of some
| pi Is that we'll talk over on the Journey, -
| again charged Rupert to be punctually at
| the stage Office with his carpet bag, and
cheerfully departed.
ITO BE Continued