Evening journal., 1892-12-07
UNDER SUSPICION.

Something very unusual TO quiet Talm-
ley had happened. and Talmley was de-
cidedly uncomfortable about it,
OF course everybody knew-as every
body knew everything in that delightful
place, where each neighbor was q friend,
each friend a brother-and what the
village folk knew was this-the miller,
old Harvey jameson. had been robbed.
"a queer business" said the miller,
shaking his dusty head solemnly, and
telling the circumstance for the hftieth
time to his neighbor, Farmer Greene,
who had dropped in to sympathize with
his old friend; nobody knew had the
money but my daughter Jennie and
young Levoe, and / can't suspect a
single soul. l put the money in a tin
box, and put that among a lot Of other
boxes in the cupboard, waitin till l
could go to the bank with it, an 10 and
behold when l went to get it out yes
terday there wasn't a single sign of box
or money. can't understand it,"
Neither can l, neighbor, said Greene,
running brawny hand over his shock
of untidy hair; ''neither canL. But do
think ye set too much store by that
young man ye've took into your house.
an mebbe ye've mistook him. He's a
deal too fine about his clothes an his
hands, an his hair, TO be any too honest,
but" cautiously, as he saw the flush
that stole over Jameson's face, "but
mebbe I'm talllin too fast, but it's
mighty curious, and one don't know
what to think"
"One might try to think nothin that
weren't charitable" said the miller
gravely, "an l don't suspect the lad.
It's more'n I'd like to lose, for it takes
a time to earn it. But young Levoe
didn't have nothin to do with the stealth
no more'n you or mean I'd rather
people wouldn't kinder hint he had"
"'Taint in nature not to think it seein
he's a stranger, an nobody knows what
or who he is; an he has fine WAYS with
him an talks like a schoolmaster," j" said
Greene stubbornly. Il don't like to see
you took in, neighbor, and I'm mighty
much afraid you are by that mill hand
Of yourn."
Then Greene held out his hand to the
miller, who was deep in thought, and
bade him good day, and betook himself
to his duties on the farm near the mill.
But the farmer had left seed of
doubt behind him; and when has such a
seed not found soil to nurture it until its
fruit hung heavy on the giant tree
which shadowed a friendship or dark
ened forever a soul immortal?
In Talmley there was but one who
had not been born there, and that one
was Dick Levoe, the stranger who had
crossed his threshold six months before
to ask for employment.
Jameson wanted a hand in the mill.
and hired Dick, taking him as a boarder.
The young man had "hne ways" as
Greene said.
He was not especially handsome, but
he was cheerful, courteous, and willing
to work, and yet, for all that, showed
unmistakable signs Of having had no oc-
casion to perform any labor, at some
time not far past. He was educated
even Jennie, who had spent a year al
boarding school, could be instructed by
him.
"Ill just keep my eyes open an not lei
on forawhile, thought the miller, "but
as Greene said, who else could have stoler
the money!
He perceived no change in Dick, nc
confusion, no sign Of guilt, but greatly
TO the good mans CONSERVATION he dis
covered something else. The young mar
was in love with pretty Jennie, and she
was fully conscious Of the fact.
There was a now difficulty. and ono
which the miller did not care to meet.
He was pondering over it one day
three weeks after the robbery, wher
Glavin Of the Hollow called and paiC
him ten pounds which had been du,
some time.
Il hear your house isn't a very secur,
place for money" said Glavin, with
smile, "but hope nobody viii walk of
with this while you're asleep."
iii take care of that" answered the
miller, conscious that Dick could hear
81 don't calc'late ON bein robbed twice
by the same person, and I've got owe
thinkln everybody l meet is honest
Good day, sir. Much obliged"
Glaven departed and the miller wen
into the house.
Jennie was singing softly as she sewe,
at window. Mrs. Jameson was not In
having gone to visit a sick neighbor
Without a word the old man passe,
into his chamber, and there secreted tn
ten pounds, frowning as he did so.
''pll send that fellow packin soon
whether / find him stealth or not b
muttered. 1T amt none too comfort
able feelin to know you've got to loci
up every shilling You get, and not tel
anybody where you put it"
He ate his supper that evening in 81
lence, Jennie and Dick chattering in
cessautly. and Mrs. Jameson told abou
every ache and pain that racked th
woman she had been TO visit.
But the miller could only wonde
whether or not that frank, manly fac
and those CHEEKY tones Of his employc
belonged to a lnave and scoundrel.
IAN Jennie and him seemed to under
stand one another far too well, j." he SC
liloquized. Il used to like the lad, bu
I'd as lief see my girl care for old blin
Jack the fiddler, as this fine gentleman
As Greene says, he's too fancy abou