The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-08-08

Know, EXCEPT that she was somewhere in
New YORK, where her father always re-
sided. He had been daily newspaper
reporter and in the habit of frequenting
the public libraries. to some OF which she
had heard Emma remark, he was sub
scriber.
Beyond tbs Yrs. Dixon could really
give no Information; and with this slen-
der clue proceeded TO New York.
Ny inquiry at the Office of the news
paper met with no success. They re-
membered Mr. George L. Brookes, but
knew nothing Of his present place of
abode. except that one Of the staff of re-
porters was positive that he had removed
TO the country for tho benefit of his
| health.
This was discoaraging, but proceeded
to inquire among the libraries and here
scribers to the Mercantile, was the name,
George 4. Brooks, No. India street,
Green Point, Long Island" with date
Of some six months previous.
In less than an hour presented my
self ut the door of the designated house,
which found to be a plain, but respect
able clearinghouse kept by widow
by the name of Miles. My first inquiry
was:
Does Mr. George Z. Brookes live
hcre"
Mrs Miles surveyed me sClemnly from
above her spectacles, and replied slowly:
"iic did live here, young man."
"Incn he has rcmoyed?n
"Ycs, he has been renewed to n better
home"
"Will YOU be kind enough, madam, to
give me his present address"
She stared at me stonily. and appre.
hending that she hcd not understood my
iCiuiry, repeated it,
"Where can | find Mr.. Brookes at
present."
"Iie is where l trust you will some day
find him-in hcaYen!"
With some difficulty obtained from
her the Information chat her lodger had
died some three weeks previous; that he
had been kindly cared for by his daugh-
ter and beneficial society of which he
was a member; and that after the funeral
the young LADY had left the house, as she
said, 90 roturn to the friends with whom
she had lived before joining her father.
She had mentioned TIE name of the town
but II had entirely cscarcd the landlady's
memory in the trouble and worry of get
ting the two vacated rooms ready for new
occupants. Ana thus again had Miss
Emma Brookcs, will-o'-the wisp-like, es-
capped my gasp just as she appeared nc
tUally III my reach.
After transacting some business, | next
day took the ears for home, in the hope
that Miss Brookes, ignorant of Mrs.
Royals death, might have returned to
her house, and there learned of what so
nearly interested her.
On taking my seat in the car, the first
person whom recognized was the young
lady whom knew only as "Toms wife,"
but this time unaccompanied by the baby.
saw that she recognized me; and some
slight attention IN regard 10 the window
sash led us into conversation.
She replied TO my inquiry that Mrs.
Dixon had not returned home when she
left there on Tuesday, but she expected
to find her arrived her sisters children
being now so much better.
She said this so sweetly, and was such
pleasant, ladylike young woman, that
/ essayed to make myself agreeable by
sapiently rcmarking upon the prevalence
of measles and whooping cough, and
hoping that her little one had escaped the
epidemic.
At this she gave me quick, inquir-
Ing glance and blushed.
Il mean the little fellow that you had
in your arms when | saw you. | sup
posed it was yours, as the lady called you
her sons WIFE,
A swift, laughing glance lighted her
face.
THAT was a mistake. Mrs. Landon's
daughterin-law had just stepped out
and left the little boy with me"
II was now my turn to feel embar-
rassed, though this was almost swallowed
up in an maccountable sense of salts
faction at finding that my companion was
not Toms WIFE
"Pray excuse my absurd mistakew !
said. "lt was only because Mrs. Ian
don told me that she would send her
sons wife, and you came"
She laughed, and we chatted on quite
pleasantly, until at Grcenville she left
the cars.
II was not strange that should on the
following day have suggested to Mr..
Holden the adyisability of my going to
Greenvillc to inquire again Of Mrs. Dixon
in regard to Miss Brookes, of whom she
might have received information since
my first interview with her.
1t was little more than an hours ride,
and pleasant excursion for summers
evening.
On ringing at the door of Mrs. Dixon's
house it was, to my qualification, opened
by my fair travelling companion of the
day previous, and | was sure that she
blushed at the-to her-uneXpected
meeting,
Mrs. Dixon had not yet returned, she
said, though they were expecting her by
the next train, which would be due in
fifteen minutes, if l did not object to
waiting.
Then she showed me into the parlor
and fearing that she was about to leave
me there, essayed to detain her by en-
/ 4