Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-07-27

other men standing round, caused him
to wonder. for q few moments whether
he werc on his head or his heels. The
group Of volunteers drew of discreetly,
seeing that the two young people wero
already known to each other. and they
gathered round the driver instead, who
was being Hospitality treated by the pro-
prietor Of the "Red Unicorn"
''Any news?" asked the driver, hand
ing back the battered pewter tankard.
The question was followed by Q short
silence. as 1t was one that required some
mental exertion to answer.
Tom Cairnes is gone" said one of the
miners at last, taking his pipe out of his
mouth to give this brief reply.
Buried him away over thar, this
afternoon" said another, with his eyes
fixed solemnly on the men rubbing down
the horses.
The driver stared from one Of the
speakers to the other, and then all round
the group Of men about him. They met
his gaze with stolid solemnity. one or
two giving curt nod to confirm the in
formation.
BULLET through his heart" volunteered
another. "IIe was found away thar in
the wood. Sorter looked as IL he had
been dead some days. Guess he wasn't
fit to remove hyar."
HAS the skunk that shot him been
found?" asked Driver George excitedly.
No. said the same man, whose pipe,
having gone out, gave him the time taken
in refilling it to explain matters. "They"
with jerk of his thumb in the direc-
ton of the hotel-"are sitting on the
case now. There was some papers found
that p'r'aps may give clew to the MUIR
derer."
Driver George looked relieved; and,
after taking of his hat and rubbing his
forehead with q red handkerchief, he
said questioningly:
"1Ie'll swing when he il found?"
"You bet!" came from dozen voices
John Smith and Miss Sparesbrook,
standing little apart from the rest, ex-
changing the usual commonplaces about
tho journey and the heat, had become
silent. The girl had overheard some of
the mems conversation, and she strained
her ears in the hope Of hearing more.
Her back was turned to them, and only
John Smith could SEQ her face. 1t had
turned deathly white, and she was gazing
straight before her, past him, as il she
had forgotten his presence. His face
paled, too, as he looked at her.
Presently the men began to move, and
in his fear lest they should see her, he
spoke.
"Have you any friends in this placer
he asked hurriedly,
She turned slowly, as if it required
violent effort Of will to recall her to the
present.
Il have my father" she said-"Mr
Snaresbrook."
"Mr. Snaresbrook!' he echoed, think
ing Of that limp, senseless drunkard he
had pulled out of the trough. This man
her fatherl He rendered at once that
he had been remarkably rough with, and
even had had strong desire to kick, her
father.
The tone of his voice and the expression
on his face told the girl his thoughts,
and she blushed scarlet-a bitter, shamed
blush. John Smith could not look at
her; he stared helplessly about him, Won
dering whom no could get to help her.
The few dirty, untidy women who formed
the female population Of the place, hav-
ing grown tired of staring at her, were
gradually struggling off from the square,
The proprietor of the "Red Unicorn" had
disappeared. He had a wife who, rumor
whispered, was the better horse. Prob
ably ut that moment he was being haran-
gued by the good woman in their private
apartment for some misdemeanor. Mr..
John Smith had seen her peremptorily
beckon him away a few moments before
depriving him of the enjoyment of Driver
Georges conversation.
The mistress of the "Red Unicorn" was
a sbrewish, sharp tongued woman, with
o temper before which the bravest miner
who frequented the house quailed. She
was, however, honest and industrious, and
probably her temper had been spoiled by
her surroundings-slatternly women and
rough, dissolute mentor she had come
from a respectable home in quiet Eng
lish village. Mr.. Smith thought of her,
and wondered why she had not come out
to look after the passenger. The fact
was, at that moment she was far too busy
rating her husband at back door, on
the subject Of Mr.. Snaresbrook himself,
to attend even to lady passengers.
Mr.. Snaresbrook was lying, a forcible
and patent text to her sermon, a few
dozens yards from them, peacefully
slumbering under her pump.
IF you like to have such things lying
about as them, Joseph Kezah," she ex-
claimed. pointing at the unconscious and
placid thing" in question. 81 don't! A
pretty ornament it is to your kitchin
gardin! Such sights ought to shame
you! Why don't you turn him outY'
stamping her foot.
Hes sorter comfortable and quiet
like just now" began her husband with
deprecating weakness. But his wife
founced away from him into the room
where she had been cooking the evening
meal, slamming the door behind her.
Part of the domestic storm reached
the ears of John Smith through the open
front door. He shrugged his shoulders;
vet he felt that this woman was the only
friend with whom he could trust the
girl Happily he did not know that it
was the girls own father who had raised
the whirlwind.
"Do you know where my father is:"
asked the girl anxiously.
IL don't think you can see him
just yet. I'll go and find him for YOU"
he said awkwardly. but, if you will
wait here, will call Mrs. Kezah."
The girl understood, and her lips
formed into the hard bitter line that the
thought of her fathers degradation al
wayS brought there Mr. Smith turned
to go. But he suddenly stepped back.
you heard what they said-about
-. The body was found close to where