Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-09-05

| tonight"
The mill owner paid the young man his
wages and Woodston departed. IIe halted
in the kitchen to speak with Madge Mason.
''It's shame that you have to go, Aus
tin, all on account of that miserable Indian
prophet"
"You believe me when say am limo.
cent, Madge?"
''Of course 1 do"
'Then am satisfied. The truth will
come out some day. I'll stop at Muskegon
for time, and will write from there"
He kissed her then at the door and de-
parted, to walk the lonely score of miles to
the mouth of the river, u cloud hanging
over his head that might never be cleared
away.
1t was cleared away, however, much
sooner than any one expected. Mr. Stowell,
the man who kept the boarding house for
Jacob Horson, came the next day to con-
graduate the mill owner on getting rid Of
the thief
81 always mistrusted Austin Woodston
wasn't just what he professed to be-" said
Stowell. HE held his head pretty high
from the start. It's lucky he didn't fall
into the hands of the Indians, who are mad
enough, l tell you"
Madge Mason shifted at the retreating
form of Stowell when she saw him return
ing home;
"He likes to see folk in difficulty. pre-
sumo he's congratulating Mr.. Horson over
the departure of Austin. If the truth were
known presume the old gossip out there
could tell more about that sugar than any
one else"
In the afternoon the hired girl had lit
tie time to herself, which she improved by
going to her room to write in her diary,
for like most sentimental young misses
she kept such record.
The air was warm, almost summary, and
Madge pushed up the window and gazed
out into the sunshine. She sat here for
some time in a daydream, when buzzing
sound attracted her notice.
A dark object shot past the window and
disappeared behind the boarding house
some ten rods distant
"Bees!" exclaimed Madge. Glow I
should like some honey. I wonder if
there's a bee tree near by"
Thoughts of her lovers disgrace van
ished as she sat and watched the bees
Presently she put on her hat and went
outside, full OF the idea of finding bee
tree.
She saw bee shoot past and disappear
behind the next house. Curiosity prompt
ed her to investigate. She followed on and
turned the corner of the rough board struc-
ture There she stood still, sort of shock
thrilling her to the heart.
The window to the bedroom on the
ground floor of the house stood open sew
eral inches. Through this opening a bee
had just disappeared Madge knew that
this room was the sleeping apartment of
Mr.. and Mrs. Stowell.
While she stood Regarding the window
several bees shot out in:o the air and went
whizzing toward the woods.
What was there in that room to attract
the wild honey bee? Sweets of some kind,
surely. Instinctively the girl walked for
ward till she stood where she could look
into the bedroom.
Next the farther wall sat hair covered
trunk, and on this were several bees.
From her position Madge could see the at
traction-several drops of sugar! At once
startling suspicion uAtered the mind of
the hired girl. She sped swiftly back to
Horson's. The halloween happened to be
still at home, and to him Madge cried
"Ive found the stolen sugar. Mr.. Hor-
sonp'
The gentleman looked up from his paper
and regarded the girl in some surprise.
"What was that, miss?"
"Ive found the stolen sugar, Mr.. Hor-
son." declared Madge emphatically. do
come quickly, before they find it out, and
hide it somewhere else."
The girl then explained what she had
discovered The mill owner believed it
possible that there was something in the
girls statement, although he had hereto
fore fully trusted his man Stowell.
Summoning two of the Ottawas and one
of the mill men Mr.. Horson visited the
boarding house and proceeded at once to
the bedroom in question, against the siren
uous protests of Mrs. Stowell
The hair trunk was burst open, and on
the inside, filing the whole body of the
trunk, was fine white shirt, sewed at top
and bottom, full almost to bursting with
maple sugar Mrs Stowell became humble
enough then, and burst into tears, confess
ing that her husband was the thief. But
for the wild honey bees the truth might
never have been known, and to Madge Ma
son was due the finding of the sugar as
pointed out by the bees.
Mr. Horson at once discharged Stowell
and his wife, keeping enough of their
wages to amply repay the Indians for the
sugar lost. The dishonest couple were
O-S~N-
glad enough to escape without arrest.
Mr. Horson sent for the deposed young
blacksmith, and on his arrival explained to
him the situation.
"Now Pm in need Of man to keep the
boarding house, Austin. Will you take
it?" concluded the mill owner.
81? Surely you must be joking. have
no wife"---
'"That's easily arranged Madge is a
splendid housekeeper Speak to her, my
boy" and merry twinkle filled the eyes
of the mill owner.
The young blacksmith accepted his en-
ployer's advice, and took Madge and the
boarding house.
The match proved to be an eminently
happy one that had been brought about
by combination of bees and sugar.. NJ.
Merrill in Yankee Blade.
Irving to Find Out,