The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-04
UNDER SUSPICION.

Talmley had happened, and Ialmley
was decidedly unc0mf0rtableabOut It.
or course everybody knew, as
everybody knew everything in that
delightful place, where each neighbor
was a 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 mill
cr, shaking his dusty head solemnly,
aud telling the circumstance for the
aftleth time to his near neighbor,
Farmer Greene, who had dropped in
20 sympathize with his old friend.
nobody knew ] had the money but
my daughter Jennie and young Le-
voc, and can't suspect single soul
! put the money IN tin box, and put
that among a lot Of other boxes in
the cupboard, waitin until ] could
20 10 the bank with u. an 10 and be-
hold when / went to get it out yes
terday there wasn't a single sign Of
box or money / can't understand
it,"
s'Neither can I, nelghbor," said
Greene, running brawny hand over
his shock Of untidy hair; neither can
]. But / do think you've set too much
store by that young man ye've took
into your house, an mebbe ye'ye mis-
took him. He's a zeal too fine about
his cloths an his hands, an his hair,
TO be any too honest: bat" cautious
", as he saw the flush that stole over
Jameson's face "but mebbe I'm
talkin' too fast; but it's mighty Curl
GUS. and one don't know what to
think
zone might try TO think nothln'
that weren't charitable, said the
miller, grayely, an ! don't suspect
the lad 1t is more'n I'D like to lose,
for it takes a time TO earn It. But
young LeyOe didn't have nothin' to -
with the stealn'-no more'n you or
mean I'd rather people wouldn't
kinder hint he had"
"Taint In nature not to think it
seeln' he's a stranger, an nobody
knows what or who he Is; an he has
fine ways with him an talks like a
scho0lmaster, said Greene, stub
bornly II don't like TO see you took
in. neighbor and I'm mighty much
afraid you are by that millhand 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 hard
by the mill.
But the farmer had left a seed Of
doubt behind him; and when has such
a seed not found soil to nurture 10
until its fruit hung heavy on the
giant tree which shadowed a friend
snip, or darkened for ever a soul inn
mortal?
1t was not without many a struggle
against the suspicion that at last
Harvey jameson admitted it with a
sigh.
Who had robbed him Of his hard
earnings. save some stranger? for his
neighbors were his friends, and
honest, as he knew.
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, aud yet, for all that
showed unmistakable signs OF having
had no occasion 70 perform any labor
at some time not far past. He was
educated-eyen Jennie, who had
spent year at boarding sclool, could
be instructed by him.
an just keep my eyes open, an
not let on for awhile, thought the
miller; "but as Greene said, who else
could hara stolen the money!"
He perceived no change In Dick,
no confusion, no sign Of guilt; but
greatly to the good mans consterna-
tion. be discovered something else.
The young man was 10 love will
pretty Jennie, aud she was fully con-
sci0us Of the fact
There was a new difficulty, and one
which the miller did not care q
meet.
He was pondering on It one day,
three weeks after the robbery, when
Glayin OF the Hollow called and paid
him ten pounds which had been due
some time.
Il hear your house isn't very Sc.
cure place for money" said Glayin,
with a smile; "but / hope nobody
will walk Of with this while you're
asleep"
IN take care Of that, answered
the miller. conscious that Dick could
hear ~ don't calc'late on bein
robted twice by the same person; an
I've got over thinkin' everybody ]
meet Is honest Good-day sir Much
obliged
Glavin departed, and the miller
went into the house.
Jennie was singing softly as she
seWed at a window; Mrs. jameson
] ....a .asr.rr r14.r. -. ..f..ff af