Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-29
e.oH Mind. ri. Own Business
Copyright 1894 by Public Ls

Geoft Minds his OWn BUSINESS
A. week later Geoff was mixing
concrete for the terrace at the Mid
dleton's old place and whistling
cheerily the while. when Adrian
came out to him. There were deep
lines about his boyish blue eyes and
his lips were set in an ominous line,
but he smiled pleasantly as he
greeted the workman. Geoff had
only returned the night before from
his second journey to the South and
to the gentle soul who had waited
there for the tidings which he
brought. He had not misjudged her.
She had known what it was to live
with the stigma of guilt clinging to
the memory of one who had passed
On. Although 1t would in this case
have been richly merited. for the
sake of the innocent relatives and
associates left behind. as well as
the loyal old Henry, Miss Katherine
had been content to let the past
remain undisturbed, excepting for
the. few old friends who still re-
membered. For herself it was
enough that her own, sure woman's
instinct had proved true, and the
boy, led into temptation by an older.
evil genius, had yet been more
victim than accomplice in the crime
for which he had paid with his life.
Thought we never should get you
here Geoff." Adrian seated himself
on the low wall. Wish l could stay
to see the house and terrace when
YOU get them all in trim, but I'll be
far away by that time
You goin' to travel?" Geoff look
cd up in surprise.
Yes. / have some property up in
British Columbia that I've got to
inspect and no one. needs me here.
My sister-in-law has Miss Sher-
wood, you know" He added the
THE case Of Benkard's murder is
settled and done with. Did DR..
Hood tell you?"
Il seen him when l got back last
night" Geoff nodded. He says.
too. that Mrs. Cayley changed right
round and announced herself that
her daughter was soin' TO marry
young Ashe.''
Hes Il fine boy and they ought
to be happy" There was a wistful
note in Abrams voice, which told
it's own story to his companion, and
Geoff was nightly concerped. What
could have gone wrong between
Miss Sherwood and this boyhood
playmate of his? Il was sure Mrs.
Cayley would consent in the end;
women have way of changing
i their minds you know"
Don't know nothin' a-tall bout
wimmen.' Geoff responded hastily.
Il aim to mind my own business
! and most specially where they're
consumed"
You got pretty well mixed up in
this Bernhard case, thought" Adrian
smiled and then the lines of I'M
happiness settled once more upon
his face. DOC Hoods the big
sleuth in the newspaper reports,
but | suspect you had more than q
hand In it,"
Il only done what Doc Hood ask
ed me to- Geoff declared. THE
way he figured it. that poor Teller
Dunn musta brooded over his own
failure TIL he got kinder cracked,
and seein' Bernhard more and more
| successful every year he hated him
and made up his mind to crush him.
. and the idee was workin' in his
/ mind all the while he was sendin'
them anonymous letters. Both the
doc and me had Mr.. Lane wrong,
| though Bernhard may done things
in his business that was unlawful if
they'd come out. but not Lane. The
investigation showed that he was as
straight as Il die, even if he did
/ pull off some pretty shrewd deals.
and his ISOLATION with Bernhard
was strictly on the level. He
wouldn't a-stood for anythin else"
I'm glad I'm not in that game -
remarked Adrian. Il suppose Doc
tor Hood told you that the New
York medical examiners inquiry
was just Il Formally; it brought
| out that Dunn's janitor heard him
go out about o'clock that night,
and he never came in again till Just
before in the morning. They
found short, heavy piece of lead
pipe in his rooms that the janitor
| thought the plumbers must have
left last month. but he admitted he
hadn't noticed it while he was clean
ing up at odd times during the
interval. Dunn was Il fool to bring
1t back with him. but it Just shows
that his mind was unhinged. 1t
was horrible thing of course, but
L cant help feeling sorry for him,
somehow"
me too" Geoff turned again to
his work as the other rose. He's
gone now, though. and whatever we
| thlnk o him, or anybuddy else, can't
make no difference. You amt goin'
way soon, are you? Mis- Harper
Middleton didn't say nothin' bout it
TO me when l come to work this
mornin'."
She didn't know. I only Just
decided mean, l received a report
from my representative that made
1t necessary. A mans work is the
only thing in life. after all, that's
always waiting for him when every
thing else he may have hoped for
ana planned goes to smash"
sometimes folks jumps to con-
clusions and thinks things have gone
10 smash when they amt, they only
nced a little mite o clearin' IN:
leastways that's how l found If -
Geof picked up his trowel. 81 ain't
pretendin to mix up in nobuddy's
business. Mr.. Middleton. but I've
got eyes in my head and if twas
me i wouldn't be gittin' my ticket
just yet"
Adrian laughed and. clapped him
on the shoulder
You're good scout, Geoff. but 7
Know when I've been making a fool
OF myself. and it's time to pull IN
my stakes. I'll see you again,
though. before l GO"
He wandered into the house and
leon took off his cap and ran his
myers violently through his shock
OF sandy hair. lie had hoped
tervehtly that he was through with
the whole thing and could go back
nndisturbed to his trade, alone.
Was he destined 4o {o.a.e