The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07
A WILD GOOSE CHASE,

wears ClleuJ Vi Guc ldW-ul LII VI hluuCu
q Holden, in whose Office I was under
clerk, was at last dead; and by q will
had left the greater part of her comfort
able little property to certain Miss En-
ma Brookes, who had for five years lived
with her as companion.
S1r. Holden was appointed executor of
the will, ip; which capacity it became
necessary that he should Immediately
communicate with Miss Brookes; but
here an unexpected difficulty presented.
Everybody knew that the young lady
Eaad left Mrs. Royal some six months
since to take charge of her father, who
had become blind and paralyzed; but be-
xUnd the fact that she was in New York,
nothing was known of her address. Ad-
-verrisements were inserted in the papers;
but, as after two weeks no answer was
received, Mr. Holden began to think of
employing detective to hunt out the
missing legatee.
It was just at this moment that Mrs.
Royals late cook suddenly remembered
that shortly after she herself came into
the old lady's service, Miss Brookes had
visited relative in Greenyille, whom she
called "Cousin Mary Dixon"
Here was at last clue, and Mr.. Hol-
den straightway directed Inc to proceed
TO Greenville, and there hunt up Mrs. OF
Miss Mary Dixon, and through her ascer-
tain the whereabouts of Miss Emma
Brookes.
As Greenville, though considerable
town, could not boast of a directory, |
had no other alternative but to canvas
the place as it were; and thus, after
days arduous work, learned from cler-
syyman that member of his congrega-
ton bore the name of Dixon, and also,
be thought, the Christian name of Mary.
She was a widow, and resided on Or
ehard street. He did not remember the
number, but the street being short one
could easily find her.
This indeed I did, for the first person
of whom T inquired on the street in ques-
Eion--a small boy-not only pointed out
so me the house in which he said Mrs.
Mary DIXON resided, but volunteered to
arouse the inmates, which he did by
vigorous pounding on the door, until 1
bought him off with the present of
nickel.
In answer to the summons, neat wo-
man presented herself with broom in
her hand, which she quietly dropped at
sight of me.
apologized, explaining that the per-
forinance on the door had not been mine,
and inquired if Mrs Mary Dixon lived
there. y.
eyes, she lives here" the woman re-
piled. ''She owns the house and and
nv son rent part of it from her. Do you
want to see her particular?"
q. II wish to see her on q little business
M: :ter."
What sort of business!"
"A little private matter, which will
.explain to Mrs. Dixon herself"
''Oh, there's no call to be so particular.
i asked merely because she amt at home,
and thought could explain when she
comes back. She'sgone to Middleton to
help nurse her sisters children, that's
down with the measles" 49,.
I was ve1ed to find myself thus baked
Just IS my search seemed crowned with
success. But there was no alternative
save to follow Mrs. Dixon to Middleton
"a journey of two hours by rail-and I
accordingly inquired her address in that
town.
"Well, don't know the number; it's
. at Mr. John Smiths she's staying. Some
where on Cherry Street Or, stay! it
may be Peach, I dare say my sons wife
knows"
Then lifting her voice, she called
g.: HsMariar!"
Ttsre was no answer, but from the
kitchen came the strong odor of baking
bread, and the woman hurried off, ex-
claiming:
ssJcst wait minute and I'll send Toms
wife"
In a minute, accordingly, there came
quietly along the passage a tall, ;ladylike
young woman, with pretty child in her
arms"
She was neatly and tastfully dressed,
and struck me at once as being of an
order quite superior to that of her
mother-in-law.
Glancing at her from head to foot as
she advanced, I Ae4ed her handsome,
pleasant face and Intelligent look, and in
my own mind set down Tom as FORUM
nate individual.
took down the address as she gave it
to me and the next day was in Middle
ton, where 1 experienced no difficulty in
fiuding Mrs. Dixon, though the finding OF
her relative, Miss Emma Brookes, seemed
nearly as remote as ever.
Mrs. Dixon gave me an account Of the
family, and described Mr. George Brookes
as ga gentleman born, and one of those
clever men who could do everything ex-
cept work and support his family"
His wife had done the last, j. atil, broken
down in health, she died, and one
daughter had married and gone to Ne.
braska, and the other, Emma, answered
an advertisement for y companion. :
She was fine, self-rciiant girl, Emma
was, and Mrs. Royal had been very fond
of her; and for her part she wasn't sur
prised to learn that the old lady had left
her a legacy, for she had surely deserved
it by her kindness and attention.
But where to find Emma she did no
know, except that she was somewhere il
New York, where her father always re
sided. He had been daily newspape
reporter and in the habit of frequentin!
the public libraries, to some OF which sh
1S~, r.,,orb ha uras q euh