The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-02-05
WHY HE DISAPPEARED.


the rays of the sun were pouring into the
window of little house not far from CHS
wick The air was fragrant with the
scent of new mown hay, and made it seem
as if the spot was situated miles away in
some remote quarter of the country, in
stead Of being, as it really was, but cab
drive from Charing Cross.
Nell Jackson was busying herself in the
comfortable room on the ground floor, her
skillful fingers arranging the breakfast
things and placing the tempting plate Of
watercresses and golden cubes of butter
within handy reach of a comfortable chair;
then she produced a crusty looking loaf,
which she put upon a wooden platter, and
eyazed lor an instant admiringly at her
work
"There," said she, clapping her hands.
'ff Mary has only done the bacon crisp, as
papa likes it, the dear old thing may come
down whenever he likes" And tripping
up the stairs with the lightness OF fairy
she raped at the panels OF door upon
the next landing.
Thomas Jackson was what is termed an
eminently respectable man. By dint OF
hard work and underwriting integrity be
had risen TO a confidential post in the firm
OF Messrs. Chest g. Lead, tea brokers', of
Mincing lane. Mr.. Jackson was widower,
- neither Nell nor her brother Bob had
the slightest recollection of their mother.
Bob was a clerk in the general postoffice,
and he and his sister Nell had been brought
mp by an aunt on their mothers side until
their father returned to England from
some employment in which he had been
engaged abroad, when he at once took the
house at Chiswick and brought his chill
dren 10 hive with him. He was a hard
working, psinstal-ing man, and after
time gave the highest satisfaction TO his
employers, who had at first been a little
chary of engaging a man who could give
them no references from any mercantile
firm within the sound of Bowbells. As
years, however. rolled by they congratu-
lated themselves in having strained point
by which they had secured the services of
so diligent and responsible an employee.
II had long been habit of Mr. jackson
20 rise early and have an hours work in
his garden before proceeding TO business,
aDd his daughter therefore was not much
surprised when she received no answer to
her twice repeated summons
Papa, you naughty, lazy papa" cried
she. "Have you oversight yourself? Get
up, or your breakfast will be quite cold"
No raply came, and the girl paused for
moment
"Where can he be-" said she; and then
softly opening the door she entered the
room on tiptoe, but to her extreme surprise
the bedchamber was unoccupied.
"You wicked papaf' exclaimed the girl,
IF you do not put in an appearance at
t,ace you shall have no breakfast"
Gently, Nell" called out Bob Jackson,
thrusting his head through the half opened
door OF his bedroom. what is all this ex-
element aboutr'
Il can't find papa. He isn't in the gar
den, have just been looking out of the
gfindow," replied Nell.
"Weil, ] suppose / must have look
round myself, Miss Careless" returned her
brother, and issuing from his room he fol-
lowed Ellen down the narrow strip of
passage which did duty for an entrance
hall The governors hat has gone" re-
marked Bob, but here is his umbrella in
the stand and wet or dry never knew
him to venture out without It,"
"0h. dear" exclaimed Nell, turning pale
and sinking into a chair. Look, Bob, the
front door is not closed"
'Do you think he usually goes out by
the Window" said Bob, although, know
ing his fathers methodical habit, he was a
good deal startled at Mr.. jackson having
omitted to make the door secure.
Without another word, Bob and Nell
proceeded TO their fathers bedroom, and
there found that he had put on the clothes
he usually wore at business, but, to their
extreme surprise and uneasineSs, his purse
and silver watch we're on the dressing
table.
The brother and sister exchanged looks
of unmitigated surprise.
Come, do not let US get uneasy" said
Bob. "Of course he has stepped out for
something. Let Us go into the parlor and
wait for him; he is bound TO be back di-
rectly"
Nell obeyed her brothers wish, and the
brother and sister waited long time for
their fathers return, but Mr.. Thomas
jackson did not come back; in point of
fact, he never appeared at the house in
Chiswick again.
Week after week and month after
month passed away. and still the strange
mystery remained unsOlved. Not scrap
of paper was discovered which gave the
slightest clew TO the reason for Mr. Jack
Ence. Everything appeared to have been
left In the most perfect order, and bank
notes to the amount of 81, 500 were discov-
cred in an old mahogany desk, which the
children remen bered well as the receptacle
\ for receipted bills and other important
documents.
Dheir books were in the most perfect order,
nh hnf NO aS1,i buI H., i
that could not be accounted for. and in ad-
dition they showed their sympathy to the
bereeved children by lending their active
and 10 the search after the lost man. Bob
jackson found it impossible TO carry on his
duties at the postofice with so terrible a
weight OF anxiety crushing his heart and
brain, so be resigned his cferkship. and d.
rected his whole time to seeking for the
clew of the mystery. but in vain AT last
despair gained the mastery over him. and
accepting post in the Offices of Messrs.
Chest s. Lead. he settled down as quietly
rs his percurbed spirit would allow him TO
daily rouSlDe OF work.
Not so, however, his sister. The idea
that her father would one day come back
became almost g monom2nis with her. and
night after night she would sit up 10 wei
rome the wanoerer upon his return home
OFT in the long watches OF the night. when
NOT soul was stirring, she would creep
down stairs and neiselessly open abe froRt
ccor under the impression that sac beard
Der fathers footsteps in the stTset As the
months glided on, the disappearance of Mr..
jackson was forgotten by the neighbors,
and only remained fresh in the hearts OF
his sorreving children.
To return TO the little house at Chiswick.
Upon the morning of the strange disap-
pearanoe Of it's owner. Mr. Jackson was