Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-07-10
JUDGE NOT;

THE CRADDoCK MYSTERY.

mind as to whether he was doing right in
allowing Philip Condie to call on his
daughter Josie.
Nobody in town seemed to know any
thing about the young man, and he never
spoke of his home or family himself, so it
was plain he had done something wrong.
Now, young Bryan was the man the
deacon favored. He had plenty of money
and, though somewhat of stranger, too,
in Craddock, everybody knew that he
came from Minnesota, where he was said to
own good deal of property.
The deacon did not want to send Condie
about his business in a hurry, because
Josie seemed to have taken such fancy to
the young man, but when the two went out
strollipg together that evening he turned
angrily to his wife.
"What d. you mean," he demanded,
"by encouragin' this nonsense? It's got to
be stopped, | tell you. The gal knows
what's wanted of her, and she might as
well make up her mind to it. Pm goin' to
settle il with her tonight"
Poor Mrs. Roberts knew what he meant,
and her heart sank little. She admired
Bryan's smooth manners; she shared the
common respect which his enviable position
inspired; she considered him, on the whole,
q superior being But she was well aware
of Josie's dislike for him; and her heart
was full of pity for the girl.
That charming person was standing out
side in the twilight, looking up rather
soberly into the face that was bending
above her own. Condie had drawn her
arm through his own with an air of pro-
prietorship.
"Well?' he said, smilingly.
"WellH' she repeated, with something
10 oh IN GtrIkp1
really, that you are remarkably COOL"
II ought to be-" he responded, good
humoredly. Goodness is a part of my
profession at present"
''But you don't understand said Josie,
anxiously. "Father was speaking to Mr..
Bryan tonight; saw him. Well, what
can I do? What am l against them?
shall probably end by marrying him." she
concluded, desperately.
But when she went into the house, some
half an hour later, her face was quite un
troubled. He had explained nothing; he
was as much q mystery as ever; but some
how he had scattered her fears to the
winds. He had hidden her wait; and wait
she would.
Her father was sitting in his favorlte
place by the kitchen stove. He rose as
she entered.
bryan Was bptnklu W u1c, uo DCS6i
rather nervously. "He says
His daughter paused
81 know what he says" she said, quiet
ly, but shall not marry him, father; you
may tell him that"
And she went up the kitchen stairway,
shutting the door behind her.
The deacon was extremely nervous. He
had spent the day in wandering from the
house to the barn, and from the barn to
the orchard, and from the orchard back to
the house. He had taken his old gun down
from its shelf, and gone into the little strip
of woods back of the farnl~~a ching he had
not done for years; but he had forgotten to
load it, and he had wandered back pres
emily. He had gone down to the mill with
half dollar that he did not own, in uneasy
hopes of seeing the owner, for what-he
did not know; but the mill had not been
open. That was unusual, since Bryan's
energetic reign had begun, and the deacoL' 5
nervousness had increased.
He sat ON the kitchen porch with his
pipe il his mouth, while the darkness
gathered 10 again. He could hear the
clattel of the supper dishes, and Josie S
light step.
He had not spoken to her that day; he
bad made no attempt to do so. He had
gone to bed wrathfuly the night before,
fully determined to fulfil his promise to
Bryan at the first chance.
He listened apprehensively for thu click
of tie garden gate. Nothing was as he
had promised. What should he say 10
him?
He took his pipe from his mouth and
moved in his chair in an agitated way,
when he heard it at last A white figure
flew past him down the steps and toward
the gate. 1t was not Bryan, then. Tue
deacon drew sigh Of relief
They came up the walk together and sat
down on the steps below him. Condie took
off his hat and lighted cigar, and ad-
usual bright volubility.
He was in particularly happy mood
He talked very charmingly, and laughed
with contagious gayety. He made BAN
teriDg remarks to Josie, he appealed to the
deacon, he talked pleasantly to Mrs. Rob
erts, who had joined them with her rocking
chair.
But the deacon could bear his suspense
no longer.
'T-was expectin' Bryan" he said al
last, rising nervously.
Conde knocked the ashes off his cigar
leisurely.
81 hardly think he will come" he OBJ
served.
The deacon sat down.
'"How d'you know?" he said; and there
was shade of relief in his voice.
"Well, the fact is" responded Condie,
in matter-of-fact way, "he is. out Oh
town.
"What fol?' said the deacon, rather
sharply.
"Well, IT'S a long story" said Condie,
composedly; "but I'll condense it. About
two years ago he went to Europe with two
hundred thousand dollars which didu'l
belong to him-he was cashier in bank
and have sent him back with it; some--
friends of mine going with him. 1t was
quite in my line"
There was a solemn pause.
'Bryann' said the deacon at last, in a
used-up way. Bryan! good heavensp'
"Be you," said Mrs. Roberts, leaning
forward in her chair and peering at Condie
in the darkness, "be you one of them
critters-what do they call'em- p'lice
men?''
Condie laughed.
''My father is president of the bank" he
said. 81 was abroad at the time; prob
ably crossed the fellow on his way over
coming home. Well, ! found clue
very slight one; but have worked it out
you see. am doubly glad," he added
He had taken Josie's hand under cover o.
the darkness. "He gave me message fol
you-Bryan isn't his name, by the way2'
continued Condie. 'He wanted me to tel
you that circumstances would prevent his
marrying Immediately, and that he would
leave the game to me-those were his
words"
"Wal," said the deacon, in dazed sort
of way, oval! reckon you're capable O
playin' it out"