Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-08-07


tell you,' and without any further par
ley l walked on. Nina, | just believe
that is Baltimore detective, and | tell
you L don't feel comfortable. Don't
you tell your mother one word of tnis,
and II any one comes here and asks for
me, you tell them l have gone fishing
and won't be home for a week. Do
you hear? L tell you l have a mind to
take my valise and skip. But then you
and your mother viii starve."
Nina was so surprised that she could
not speak.
Mr.. kellone was standing beside the
sty watching his large porkers mupch
their corn, when his attention was ar
rested by the halo of a strange voice;
walking down to the gate he met the
flashing eyes of a well-dressed hand
some man, whose first inquiry was for
the residence of Joe Haggett. Mr..
kellonne gave full directions, but fear
ing lest the stranger should loose his
way he took out his pencil and dia-
grammed the ciTcuitous route. AS the
unknown man was turning his horse,
Mr.. Kellonne remarked: 81 presume
you are a detective hunting up the
burglar that robbed Ben Swans store
the other night?'
At the mention of this the stranger
quickly stopped his horse and replied:
-, no sirl l am no detective, my
business is not with Mr.. Haggett, but
TO ind a lady that have been informed
Is occupying rooms in his house, -
What is the name of the lady?''
asked Mr.. h, deeply interested.
Mrs. Burteau.
Mrs. Burteaul' was slowly repeated
by Mr.. X. He then informed the stran-
ger that he had been INSTRUCTED, that
the lady in question was living in the
house Of Joe Haggett's son, Maxwell
Haggett. and the direction he had map
ped out would not take him to the
house OF Mrs. Burteau. Mr.. Kellonne
anticipating the strangers intentions,
kindly invited HIM 10 spend the night
with his family, and after being in
formed that Mr.. Haggett could not
accommodate any one, he accepted the
kind invitation of Mr.. Kellonne.
Supper being over Mr. Kellonne in
vited the gentleman in the parlor, de-
termlning TO extract as much inrorma-
ton as possible, particularly in regard
TO Mrs. Burteau. The conversation
turned first upon travel. The stranger
giving interesting details of many of
however much he was interested In the
recital of his adventures. and success
in different games, he would endeavor
to turn the course OF conversation upon
Mrs. Burteau. Mr.. kellonne took
great pleasure in relating how unfortu-
nate that lady had been in her marriage
life. How her husband had forsaken
her, and had been given up as dead,
how Haggett had provided for her, and
urged her to marry him; how the father
and son had been separa ted about the
question, and finally how this poor
woman had been brought to the very
verge of starvation ami degradation.
Mrs. kellonne observing that the stran-
ger was a little restless, suggested that
the gentleman be shown to his room
so all retired at a late hour.
The next morning the stranger en-
tered the dining room brighter and
more buoyant i'll spirits. lie seemed
anxious to start on his journey, 50 Mr..
kellonne penciled out another dia-
gramme of the road and the stranger.
bidding good morning to all, started
on his Journey.
Saturday morning Mrs. EichtOn did
not come down stairs till breakfast was
ready; when the children had taken
their seats at the table, the old lady
looking around inquired: "Where is
MAXWELL he Is not usually so late"
Nina then informed her mother that
he had gotten up before day, taken his
fishing tackle, and had gone sea-fishing
would not be home for some weeks.
The breakfast things were cleared
away, and both mother and daughter
we're busily plying their needles trying
to finish up the weeks work, that it
might be sent home before night.
He is not at home" Mrs. Burteau
heard Wissie 5 ~. and lifting her head
she saw Vehicle III the little gate.
does Mrs. Burtc.Iu live here?" she
heard him say.
Yes, sir, =" said the child; "walk in. -
Mrs. Burteau's heart leaped wildly,
she remembered what Maxwell had
told her, and feared the consequences,
but rose as calmly is she could to well
come the stranger who stared at her
strangely. ''Be seated, - said Mrs. b.,
at the same time handing him a dilapi-
dated chair.
is this Mrs. Burteau?'' lie politely
asked.
Yes, sirl that is my name.''
For some moments he seemed choked,
Mrs. Eichton, who had been cycling him
from behind the half-opened door, came
forward saying:
''Nina, this is Samuel Burteau.''
He grasped Mrs. Eichton's hand
while the tears flowed down his cheeks.
Nina stepped back; her heart seemed
turned to stone. She did not rush into
his arms as she had thought she would
Il a f.nFulh ha 1nr la,
could think of nothing but her deep
wrongs.
MY wifel my own dear wife, forgive
mel Twas not my intention to treat
you so cruelty. / have come with
means TO make you comfortable, only
Lave this place where you have suffered
50 much and 60 with me to the west;
the change of scenery will help you 10
forget When l reached this shore /
was told that you were in destitute cir
cumstances, but | was not prepared to
find you such a wreck in a hOveI like
this, l despise myself. / have caused
IL all"
The more he pleaded the more hitter
she became.
You are all too much excited now
TO decide what to do. so l Will bid you
good day, and VIII come tomorrow. .
Mrs. Eichton and Nina sat for some
moments in perfect silence; feelings
were too perturbed for words. Mrs.
EichtOn broke the silence by saying:
NINA, what will you do? Go with
Samuel or remain here with your pow
erty?''
II shall remain here, mother. lie
| might take me west. then leave me,
and 1 should be there among strangers
in worse poverty than this, perhaps"
81 think he would do all he could 10
add to your comfort" urged Mrs.
| Eichton.