Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1893-01-20
UNDER SUSPICION.


body know everything in Tint delightful
place, where each neighbor was q friend,
each friend q brOthcr-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 fftieth
time to his neighbor, Farmer Greene,
who had dropped IN to sympathize with
his old friend; "nobody know 1 had the
money but my daughter Jennie and
young Levoe, and / can't suspect q
siugle soul. ! put the money in n tin
box, and ] put that among o lot Of other
boxes in the cupboard, waitin till l
could go to the bank with it, an 10 and
behold when I went to get it out yes
terday there wasn't q single sign Of box
or money. I can't understand it."
Neither can !, neighbor, said Greene,
running a hrawny hand W his shock
of untidy hair; "neither canI. But I do
think ye set too much store by that
young man ye've took into your house,
an mebbe we've mistook him. He's g
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 tallin too fast, but its
mighty curious, aud enc don't know
what TO think"
zone might try to think nothin that
weren't charitable" said the miller
gravely, Fan / don't suspect the lad.
It's more'n I'd like to lose, for it takes
a time to earn it. But young Leyoe
didn't have nothin to do with the stealth
mo more'n You or me-an I'd rather
people wouldn't kinder hint he had"
"'Iaint in nature not to think it soein
he's a stranger, IN nobody knows what
or who he is; an he has fine ways with
him IN talks like d sc~hoolmaster, said
Greene stUbbornly. 81 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 oGt his hand to tho
miller, who was deep in thought, and
babe him good day, and betook hitaself
to his duties on the farm near the MIL.
But the farmer had left a 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 Swallowed a friendship or dark
ened forever n soul immortal2
In Talmley there was but one who
had not been born there, and that one
was Dick Loyoe, the stranger who had
crossed his threshold six months before
to ask for employment.
jameson wanted n hand in the mill,
and hired Dick, taking him as q boarder.
The young man had "fne ways" as
Greene said.
He was not especially handsome, but
no was cheerful, courteous, and willing
TO work, and yet, for all that, showed
unmistakable signs Of having had no &C.
casiOn to perform any labor, at some
time not far past. He was educated
even Jennie, who had spent a year at
boarding school, could be instructed by
him.
"Ill just keep my eyes open an not let
on for awhile" thought the miller, ''but,
as Greenoaaid who else could have stolen
the money!
He perceived no change in Dick, no
confusion, no sign Of guilt, but greatly
to the good mans CONSERVATION he dis.
covered something else. The young man
was in love with pretty Jennie, and she
was fully conscious of the fact.
There was a now difficulty, and II
which the miller did not care to meet.
He was bordering over it one day,
three weeks after the robbery, wher
Glavin Of the Hollow called and paid
him ten pounds which had beer due
some time.
81 hear your house isn't a very secure
place for money, said Glavin, with a
smile, "but 1 hope nobody will walk OFF
with this while you're asleep"
"Ill take care of that" answered the
miller, conscious that Dick could hear.
Il don't calc'late on bein robbed twice
by the same person, and I've got over
thinkin everybody l meet is honest.
Good day, sir. Much obliged"
Glaven departed aud the miller went
into the house.
Jennie was singing softly as she sewed
at a window. Mrs. Jameson was not in.
having gone to visit a sick neighbor.
Without a word the old man passed
into his chamber, and there secretcd the
ten pounds, frowning as he did so.
"Tn send that fellow packin soon,
whether 1 find him stealth or not, - he
muttered. 1T amt none too comfort
able a feelin 10 know you've got to lock
up every shilling you get, and not tell
anybody whore you put t."
He ate his supper that evening in Sc
lence, Jennie and Dick chattering in
%cessantly, and Mrs. jameson told about
every ache and pain that racked the
woman she had been to visit.
But the miller could only wonder
whether or not that frank, manly face
and those CHEEKY tones Of his employee
belonged 70 q knave and scoundrel.
"An Jennie and him seemed to under
stand one another FAR too well" he so.
Hloquized. Il used to like the lad, but
I'd as lief see my girl care for old blind
Jack, the fiddler, as this fine gentleman
As Greene says, he's too fancy about
himself 10 be honest. I've often heard
the greater tho rascal the more genteel,
an ] guess III load the rifle"
Heidi load bis rife, and placed it near
his bed, telling his wife that he "warn't
going to lose any more money, but the
first one that came for dishonest pur-
poses would lose his life"
Mrs. jameson was very nervous con