Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-25


appeared, did not know. "Lordl you
don't say so? And Miss Gertrude's
mother, poor thing, poor thing!
The accompanying look at Mary said
so plainly as any words could.
81 also have a soft heart, you see.
ooh no, she said, 'only step
mother. -
''Ah! l don t approve of stepmothers,
myself, - said Mr.. Brander after empty
ing his glass.
s'No more did Miss Gertrude, Meth
er, - said housemaid with splteful
Singer, and malicious glance at the
fair Mary.
'sDidn't they get on?'' asked Mr..
Brander carelessly, lighting his pipe alta
match which Mary held for him, pro-
cess which necessItated his putting his
arm round her waist TO steady himself,
and drew from her a demonstrating,
"Hal don It now Mr.. Brander
'sGet on?'' cried the housemaii, with
the undisguised intention of annoying
the favored Mary "Cat and dog was
unborn lambs to them two.
''They quarrelled, did they?
ebay and night. Many's the time
I've heard Miss Gertrude say she hated
her. -
Greatly - said Mr.. Brander incuri-
ously.
land 1 don It blame her - interrupted
Mary Indignantly "Missus did treat
that pore young lady dreadful. You see,
Mr.. Brander, Miss Gertrude was strongly
against masters marrying again, and
missus never forgave her.
sfOuite "a relief it will be for her
then, - remarked Mr.. Brander.
"Aye, and not for her alone, said
the cook. 81 daresay master will get
over it. -
''Weu, I'm not sure of Miss Ger
trude, - said Mary, who seemed dis
posed to Loyalty defend her young mis-
tress. 81 know she came in IN an awful
state that day.
'sHad she heard of it them" asked
Mr.. Brander, with strange eagerness.
''Why, of course she must have,
answered Mary. 81 heard her up stairs
in her room afterwards sobbing and
crying fit to break her heart.
''Why, what was that for?
81 think it was on her mind, as she'
have to tell her master; for l heard her
say, 'Why did [ do it?' and Il dare not
tell him
"Ah!'' said Mr.. Brander airily,
"'What time did you say she came in? .
GA quarter to two.
s'wen, 1 must be off, - said Mr..
Brander rising. ''Mary, my dear, per-
haps you IL show me the door. 1t 5 dark
in the passage, know.
The spIteful housemaid, who resented
this preference. giggled, and the foot
man winked as, after having shaking
hands all round, and promised to call
again soon, Mr.. Brander followed Mary
out into the passage.
''Miss Ennis came home at quarter
to 2. Whew!' said that gentleman as
| he walked down the dark avenue, and
he stopped under the nearest gaslamp
outside, and made several entries III Mr..
| Padger's note book.
CHAPTER V.
AN UNPOPULAR VERDICT.
Monday morning found Mr.. Padger in
| attendance, in his former position, at the
adjourned inquest.
He was himself the first witness, and
| deposed to the finding of the pearl
handled knife, piece of evidence which
| he had persuaded the coroner to postpone
until then, as he was anxious to conceal
| his real name and occupation as long as
! possible.
| Miss Ennis had been summoned once
more and casual inspection showed Mr..
| Padger that the young doctor was also
present In making his statement he
| placed himself so that he could closely
! scan 1he faces of these two without at
| tracing observation. AS he mlnutely
! described the spot on which he found the
| knife he saw the doctors face gradually
! blanch, and his eyes fix with an express
! sion of settled horror, and transferring
| his gaze to Miss Ennis he saw the same
! look efiected-sudden terror, as if alike
| they had been brought face to face with
an unexpected doubt or danger. AS he
| looked, with shudder on his part,
sigh on hers, each broke off the en-
| counter of eyes, nor during the rest OF
| the inquest did they exchange q look so
! far as Mr.. Padger could discover.
AS he returned to his corner his eyes
fell upon the pretty face of Mary Carne
close behind her young mistress, and he
saw in it a world of indignant reprOaCh
| which made him feel rather uncOmfOrt-
| able. for Mr. Padger had been thinking
| in the intervals of his inquiries that a
snug little house he had recently taken
in London would be rendered much more
comfortable if Mary, with her rosy
| cheeks and light eyes could be persuaded
! to occupy the other side of the fireplace,
ready to greet him when he came in from
his work, make his tea and bring his
slippers.
His uncomfortable meditatiOns on the
now probable failure of this pleasing
scheme were interrupted by the voice of
the coroner inquiring for Jane Raikes.
She said that she had been lady 5 maid
to the late Mrs. Ennis, that she had ac-
cordng to orders received, examined
the contents of the pockets of the clothes
found in the bathing machine, and as
far as she could make out nothing was
missing from them except her late mis-
! tress' watch. She did not know how
| much money Mrs. Ennis had taken out
with her, but her purse when opened
contained fI5 in f5 notes, 9l2 IN gold
and 7 shillings and pence in SILVER and
copper, as she pres umed it had not been
| touched.
but her watch was missing?'
eyes, sir.
''She had it on that day 1 imagine?''
81 suppose so. At all events we have
not been able to find it at home.
Mary Carne looked pale and nervous
when she tripped up in answer TO her
name, and she cast another glance Of re-
| proach at the unfortunate Mr.. Padger.
Her name, she said, was Mary Carne,
/ and she was Miss Ennis own maid.