The Lamar register., 1893-02-04
"It's nobody's business but m,

"lt's nobody's business but INV
own.' he said hotly, Martha, the
question is, not can you love my
reiatlons, but can you love me?"
But Martha was firm. and yet going
over carefully every word he observed
that she did not object to him, "our
her DUTY at present was to her parents.
what queer things women are, he
muttered, as he walked up and down
the iioor OF his room. I'll have her
YET II there's any such thing"
."Lucretia, he said n few days
afterwards, "Pve been thinking what
nice building spot that is on the
hili. ! think I'll put up n house
What an ideal" snapped Miss
Lucretia. "Who wants to live up
there? I'm sure don't.
Apparently he took no notice of Ter
remark but went on as if thinking
aloud, Eyes / think it would be
good Investment"
Well Idon't said she, Pm sure Pm
not willing to move up there, and as
letting a house deliver me from it;
tenants are never satisfied / think
the hill Is prettier as it is. and shan't
put any OF my money into house
there"
She was to excited too notice the
amused look on her brothers face.
and as he suddenly thought he must
see to things at the barn, she was left
to her own reflections.
II wish Josiah didn't have so many
notions" she said aloud, as she went
about her work, ''he keeps me in a
stir the most OF the time"
While she was considering how she
could best bring him back from his
new flight his fancy had taken, her
attention was attracted by
II carriage at ths cottage. Hastily
wiping her hands she went to the win
dow and convinced herself that Judge
Lane was going up to the door.
Now the Judge was an old school
mate OF Miss Lucretia, and she had
iondly dreamed OF being mistress OF his
elegant mansion. He had never given
her the slightest cause for such q
dream, still as he continued to live
on with his mother, she did not give
up the hope that he would yet see
that shew especially suited to make
missing man.
Was the gentleman's right forefin-
ger missing up to the middle joint?"
asked the chief.
Yes" replied Mr.. Leslie, wonder
ing how the chisf knew that fact.
And he had sort OF innocent, rus
tic. modest air about him9"
Yes, yes" said the other; you
have found him then?"
No." replied the detective, with a
quixzical smile, but l wish l could.
Is that his picture'" he asked. point
inc to a photograph which he had Sc
lected from large brown book.
The very man." exclaimed Mr..
Leslie. Has anything happened to
him? How did you come by this
picture?"
The gentleman has the distinction
OF having his phot ograph in the
rogues' gallery" was the quiet reply.
"Rogues' gallery? Why. what do
you meant" gasp-d Mr.. Leslie. .'He
is my wiie's uncle"
Can you prove that?" queried the
chief.
"Why, yes-thnt is-welI--" STAN.
mered the now thoroughly astounded
man. New light was thrown on q
thousand little circumstances OF Uncle
Georges visit and actions.
II tell you," continued the detective,
pityinsly, this man is Louis Reb-
stone, one OF the sharpest confidence
men in the country, who makes a
business OF this sort OF work. He has
been missing for some time. ard / sup
pose he has been out West, where he
probably met the real Uncle George,
and learned enough OF your family
story to play his little game
at you search your house you will
probably find that all your silver
ware, iewellry, and money are gone,
or at least as much OF them as one
man can carry away"
The chiefs surmiss WAS correct.
The choice old family plate, Mrs.
Leslie's iewelry, and 200 dollars which
Mr.. Leslie had taken in the day before
after banking hours--all were gone;
loss 500 dollars.
In their place was a little note
pinned to one pillow of,the bed lately
occupied by the departed. 1t read
81 must be of. Have enjoyed my
self hugely. Sorry / can't leave you
my vast fortune. No, Bessie. l am
afraid l won't furnish your house
from cellar to garret this year, if you
did try to keep on the good side of
your horrid looking old Uncle George.
"P. S.-Good bye"