The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-07-19

phere. Moreover, Mr.. Bolton was a
little anxious to make the better 40
quaintance OF Captain Hazard, and to
lind out, il possible, the exact con.
ditions Of Madam Dundas' will.
He was good deal annoyed to find
the man Scarth domiciled at Bywater
Park. Scarth was an old offender, as
Bolton had cause to know, and there
was doubt still in Potion mind about
the genuineness Of the butle1's alleged
repentance and change of life.
He believed Scarth's presence BODIED
no good to the inmates of Bywater
Park. If Scarth really had reformed,
little surveillance could do him no
possible harm. While il he was up to
his old tricks, the watch set upon his
movements might result in positive
benefit to Madsm's household.
Viewing the subject all around,
Bolton decided that upon the whole the
best thing to do was to remain where
he was for the present, with an eye
upon the comers and goers at Bywater
Park. By this course of conduct he
was certain to please himselfsat my
rate, and possibly he might be the
means of doing Madam good turn,
which would result in winning the old
ladyts forgiveness. This being his view
OF the case, Bolton made himself con-
tent. He knew better than to intrude
upon the household at Bywater. To
intrude upon Madam was to ruin every
thing.
Still, having made up his mind to act
the part of q Watchdog, Mr.. Bolton
was faithful to the character, and
thereafter, if Madam goes out in her
fha
ceives q visitor, Mr.. Bolton sees it. No
movement of the Bywater household
escapes the watchful Bolton. Loo
rides out with the Captain, or walks
with her aunt, or sits incoming under
the trees, she may be sure the observ-
ant eyes Of her father are upon her.
1t is only in the actions of the butler
that Mr.. Bolton feels curiosity and sus-
picion: and his curiosity and suspicion
rather increase than diminish as the
days go by.
The Tuesday appointed for Madam's
party arrives, and, watch closely rs he
will, still nothing is done by the butler
to warrant Bottoms open condemna-
tion.
On Tuesday morning che light wagon
Is driven from Bywater Park to the
bank, half o mile distant. presently re-
turning with strong, square box that
is heavily clamped and barred with
iron.
"The Bywater plate, Bolton says to
himself, as the vehicle trundles past
him, and his eyes light upon the box.
Madam is doing the thing in regu-
larly swell style. There goes the fam
lily silver. and it is valuable"
MIR. Bottoms eyes follow the box
lovingly, as the wagon disappears
through the Park gates.
Then he turns about, fetching long
sign as his mind reverts again to the
box of silver and the ease it would buy
for him were it his own, and converted
into cash.
AS he turns away, his eyes fall upon
the short, squat figure of man who is
walking hurriedly in the shadow of the
trees.
Bottoms first impulse is to follow
him, and he yields to the impulse.
The stranger is some little way in
advance of Bolton, and he walks with
peculiar, cat-like, and gliding mo-
tion.
Bolton follows on slowly and care
fully, and is astonished to see the
stranger pause at q small side gate in
the stone wall-a gate that has long
been disused by the Bywater Park
household. A chain that has grown
rusty from disuse fastens the gate to q
po t in the wall.
Bolton wonders how the man will re-
move this rusty chain. but soon sees
that neither the gate nor the chain
itsolf is q bar to his ingress.
The strangers next movement proves
that he is no stranger to the correct
management of this half-forgotten
gate, for he whips out key from his
pocket, fits the key in the paddock
which fastens the gate and chain to-
gether. and, presto! the gate opens
e9sily, and he disappears at the inner
side OF the stone wall.
Bolton wonders. He cautiously ap-
proaches the gate and listens as the low
murmur of voices ON the other side of
the wall is borne to his car.
There is crevice in the high stone
wall which shuts Bywater Park from
the public road. To this crevice Bolton