Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-09-08
Copyrighted 1889 by s. s. Mcclure.

mysterious stranger, he entered the ser
wants hall at Monplaisir, accompanied
by Mary, with whom he had previously
enjoyed a brief but highly satisfac-
tory exchange of amenities at the
back door. He had reiterated, not with
out some twinges of conscience, that it
was his only object and intention to clear
Miss Gertrude Ennis of the last shadow Of
suspicion, and she had intimated suffi-
GENTLY plainly that if he succeeded in his
endeayor she would be prepared to con-
slider with proper seriousness any sugges-
ton he might make as to the possibility
of her bestOWIng upon him some portion
Of the reward he hoped to gain.
None Of the other servants, she inform
ed him, had seen him at the adjourned
inquest, and as they consequently nOur-
ished no suspicious as to his identity, It
was agreed between them that they were
TO be left in their ignorance If, more
over, he CHANGED to ask any questions
about the murder Mary was TO assist him
as far as possible in obtaining the inIoT-
nation he required.
For some time she was strongly opposed
TO taking any part in Investigations so
conducted, but she relented when he eX-
blamed to her that it was entirely in the
interests Of her young mistress, and Mr..
PadCeC sOotheG her TemOTse al partly de-
ceivinE her bv the reflection that that
was in reality his wish and intention,
though it seemed at present q scarcely at
taiuabIe result.
''Pretty cheerful, thank you, - Mr..
Brander, - said the cook, in response to
bis general greeting, Glow do you find
yourself this evening?'
blooming, thank ee, blooming, y
replied Mr.. PadgeT, as he took seat IN
close proximity to the blushing Mary.
1t was not long before the conversation,
as he anticipated, diveTged from topics
Of passing interest and conferred IN the
mystery of the murder There was
little to attract his notice at first, for no
enlightenment was to be obtained from
the numbeTless wild and unreasonable
coujectures as to how and why the deed
had been committed, but after time
the observations took what was TO Mr..
Padger q more practical view.
Gwen, she's gone, poor woman,
you shouIdn It speak iii Of the dead, but
must say that the house is deal more
comfortabler without her.
''She was difficult to get on with, was
she?'' suggested Mr.. Padger.
''Dnicult?'' cried the cook. "NOu
may well say that, Mr.. BTandeT. Times
she was unbearable, when she'd been
drinking bit, which was not her Uuus-
uai-though in a woman disgusting
custom, and when her dander was up,
she was perfect fiend. -
''Lordl'' remarked one Of the foot
men, refectively. Glow she and mas
ter used to quarrel. -
''They didn get on well together, l
understand, - said Mr.. Padger.
Nothing but quarrel, quarrel, fight,
fight, from days end TO day end, -
said the butler gTavely.
owns he jealous? queTied Mr.. Pad
ger.
''WeH, don It know as to that.
mot but what he very wei might have
been, - said the spiteful housemaid.
NOW, 'LizeT, - demonstrated the
parlormaid.
oven, you know what you said your
self the second time that gentleman
called - protested the other.
''What gentleman was that?" asked
Mr.. PaGgeT, with q rapid side glance at
Mary.
a gentleman as called twice while
master was away, - said the housemaid,
eager TO retail her petty and malicious
scandal.
''Who was he?''
81 don't know. He wouldn't give
his name, but missus seemed TO expect
him both times he came.
"Ah! l see. Some Old friend of
hers. -
s'0Id friend!'' cried the girl. "OId
enemy, more like, the way them two
carried on.
They had words, lad tbey?''
Words! Don t you make any mis-
take, says Missus, you shall never git
il, and then they went at II again, ham
mer and tonEs.
''Get what?' said Mr.. Padger.
II don { know what and another
time, just rs he was & going, she cried
out: Take care, you know what l
know about you and he went out Of the
door cursing and swearing dreadful to
listen to. -
'.what was he like to look at, this
Eentleman?"
con, he was a nice looking man
enough. -
''Nouug or old?''
"About FIVE and thirty I should say,
though his hair and moustache was a
gooo bit grizzled. -
land he came when Mr.. Ennis was
out, did hep
"Ah, YOU may be sure he did. -
''Do you think that he knew of these
vlsits?''
'.Who? Mr.. Ennis?' said the girl
with a guilty conscious look. 81 don I
know for certain, but its my fancy, only
fancy mind you, that he did. -
''Now, Tozer, - said the cook, who
was not overpleGsed at all the CONVERSE
tiun being absorbed By one person, when
if was not herself Ain I you going to
put anything mora solid than your
tongue between your teeth tonight
This hint was too plain TO be mistaken,
ard the suTber having been laid, Mr..
. Padger, 10y general invitation, sat down
10 partGke Of it. After 1t was concluded,
as he was enjoying q final pipe before
taking his departure, he enquIred casu-
ally:
what time did Mr. Ennis come home
the day OF the murder?''
''Uah past three. as near as posi-
bic, - said one of the footmen.
Had he heard Of it then?''
con yes, ana terrible upset he seemed
about il too.