Arizona republican., 1907-02-28

past. They came from the north cOun-
| try, they said, but that answer was SO
| far away and uncertain of locality that
people let it alone and let it go at that.
and if there was something in the past
in connection with their history before
I their sudden advent into p. it was only
theories which idle gossip loved to war
BILE under their silly tongues. The Mud
dens, one and all, kept themselves alOOf
| from neighbors and were content and
happy in their self Ostracised seclusion.
The father was sixty. and perhaps more
but at any event it was in the neigh
borhood somewhere between sixty and
seventy years of age, for 20 look at the
old gentleman it would be a matter of
doubt even TO the most acute observer
and reader of human faces to conjec-
ture or estimate the number of SHOWS
that had fallen upon his head. His face
was robust and cheerful. partaking Of
a deepness of red, Indicating good
health, and. withal. a strong and vigor-
Gus constitution. His height was an
other index TO his healthful nature and
good disposition, he being the medium
height of five feet and seven inches. II
would again perplex the mind. and If
persistent. unstring the nerves of the
most philosophic observer of human
thought and faces TO estimate tho num-
Der Of years that had passed over the
mothers head: for. despite The prox-
unity of age with that of the father.
her age would perhaps still remain in
doubt. tht subject of continued COM
ment an inaccurate conjectures. She
was yet chip and cherry whatever her
age might approximate. The complex
ion was rudy. with a bright glow Of
red overspreading cheeks and face. to-
kens. in unmistakeable language. of
good health and a pleasing and cheer
full disposition. The girl for such she
was nothing more. was a true type OF
both parents: strong in an unusual
measure for femininity, but withal good
looking and handsome TO winsome low
illness. 1t was even heard remarked by
neighbor that her beauty face. and
grace Of form and body ran wild with
the belle of the town who had taken
two grand prizes at the county fair for
her rare beauty and charm of person.
But stfii the Muddens held themselves
aloof and apart from associations:
stayed quietly at home in their little
brown house and trellised porches. go
ing out only for marketing to replenish
the family larder and cupboard for
fresh eatables. such as the appetites
Of hearty and robust people might de-
sire.
And. Notwithstanding the eagerness
Of prying eyes and listful ears to see
and hear more of them. they We're vet
thwarted and nonplused at every at
tempt to do so. Then whisperings
would go out from neighborhood Cos
sip that there was something the mat
ter with the Muddens and they were
keeping secret and hidden mysteries
they would not like to have made
known. and that if it were so it would
startle the very foundations of the
walls they lived in.
Il don't know what to make Of that
family" said Mrs. Grilwell, a neighbOr
that lived in the shadow Of a big grove
of trees in a pretty brick cottage near
by. in speaking of the NGuddens 10 a
visiting lady friend.
That's me. too" answered Mrs.
LOngley. the neighbor who had lust
dropped in from the next door up the
street. 81 don't see" she continued,
why they keep themselves secluded to
so noticeable an extent and obviously
select. unless it is as you say. they are
keeping something back they are afraid
for the neighbors to know"
But how are we to learn about their
secret past and their doings and acts
before they came here" said Mrs. Grill
we'll unless We could manage to get
among them and bring them out by
easy steps from their associations
something about them that has been
so long a mystery and subject of con-
versation in the community. WHY
they treat US all with disdain. not to
say contempt, and this i'm itself would
justify an investigation. They are not
lacking for money for it has been seen
when they were up town trading: and
that girl has been seen with a long
purse of gold coin when making her
purchases"
Cold coin. did YOU say. Mrs. Grill
well?"
Yes; gold coin: and a great big
purse of it. too; and she has been seen
often doing the like, and its always
gold money that she pays in. / don't
see why she couldn't handle other
kinds of money just as well; and right
here it occurs to my mind that there
might be a clue dug up looking to the
Infringing and unbalancing of this hor-
rible mystery that so thickly shrouds
and befogs the origin of the Muddens"
Il don't see replied Mrs.Longley,
how the matter of their having gold
money could have any effect in the I'M
raveling of the mystery"
ooh. tut-tut," put in Mrs. Grilwell
with uncOncealed chagrin. at is whis-
pered around that they never go to the
bank or keep a bank account"
well, how and where do they get
their gold coin. them heatedly ex-
claimed Mrs. Longley.
There it is-there it is" answered
Mrs. Grilwell. "Why. it is said they
brought it with them. and that they
have three big trunks, iron-bound trav-
cling ones, at that"
Maybe that's the reason they're
afraid to go out or have anybody come
to them"
THAT may be all very true. but whe-
Their they came by this gold by fair
or by foul means. is the question"
CHAPTER II.
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