Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-29

ter's wife -
''Lord.'' said Mr.. Brander, who, it
appeared, did not know. Lord. you
dom say so? And Miss Gertrude 5
mother, poor thing, poor thin@.''
The accompanying look at Mary said
so plainly as any words could.
81 also have soft heart, you see.
con no, - she. said, ''only step
mother -
''Ah. don T approve of stepmothers,
myself, - said Mr.. Brander after empty
! ing his glass.
No more did Miss Gertrude, Meth
er, said n housemaid with spteful
singer, and q malicious glance at the
! fair Mary.
{" Didn't they get on?'' asked Mr..
! Brapder carelessly, lighting his pipe at
match which Mary held for him. a pro-
| cess which necessItated his putting his
! arm round her waist TO steady himself,
and drew from her a demonstrating,
! (" Ha. don t now, Mr.. Brander.
| 'EGet on?'' cried the housemaii, with
/ the undisguised intention OF annoying
! the favored Mary. Cat and dog was
unborn lambs to them two.
! ''They quarreled 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 l don t 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.
''Quite relief it will be for her
!
Aye, and not for her alone, - said
the cook 81 daresay master will get
over it. -
''WeIl, IN not sure of Miss Ger
| trude - said Mary, who seemed dis
posed to Loyalty defend her young mis-
tress 81 know she came in i'll an awful
state that day.
''Had she heard of it then2" asked
Mr.. Brander, with strange eagerness.
''Why, of course she must have, -
answered Mary. 81 heard her up stairs
i'll her room afterwards q sObhing and
crying fit to break her heart. -
''Why, what was that for?
81 think it was on her mind, as she ID
have to tell her master; for l heard her
say, why did 1 do it?' and L dare not
tell him.
''Ah!'' said Mr.. Brander airiIy,
''What time did you say she came IMP
"A quarter to two.
''Weu, ! must be off - said Mr..
Brander rising. ''Mary my dear, per-
haps you Ii show me the door. 1t 5 dark
in the passage, 1 know
The splteful housemaid, who resented
this preference, giggled, and the foot
man wiuked as, after having shaking
hands all round, and promised to call
(-on n ar a
out into the passage.
g Miss Ennis came home at a quarter
to > Whew.' said that gentleman as
ne 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 DIR. 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
ne had persuaded the coroner to postpone
until then, as he was anxious to conceal
his real name and occupation as long as
possible.
Hiss Ennis had been summoned once
more aud casual inspection showed MIR.
PaGger that the young doctor was also
present In making his statement he
placed himself so that he could closely
scan abe faces of these two without at
tracing observation As he mlnutely
described the spot on which he found the
knife he saw the doctor s face gradually
blanch, and his eyes fix with an express
sion of settled horror, and transferring
his gaze 10 Miss Ennis he saw the same
look lefiected-sudden terror, as if alike
they had been brought face to face with
an unexpected doubt or danger. AS lie
looked, with snudder 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.. Iadger 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 il 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
checks 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 s maid |
to the late Mrs. Ennis, Ghat she had ac- /
cording TO orders received, examined |
the contents of the pockets of the clothes /
found in the bathing machine, and us
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 el5 in IS notes, GI2 IN gold |
and shillngs and pence i'll SILVER and /
copper, as she pres umed it had not been
touched.
{" But her watch was m;ssing?''
eyes, sir. -
''She had it on that day l imagine?"
81 suppose so. At all events we have
not been able to find it at home. -
Mary Carne looked pale aud nervous
when she tripped up in answer to her
name ana she cast another glance of re- /