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II l t--l JI PAPER GIRLS' JT Ill 53 I 23 II AND irlLf Hi 59 2 Al Millville (Copyright by tb All ItMUy Britton rixtUa recurved 4 By Compcny ) z -v-t Van Edith Dyne SYNOPSIS i m M ' UNCLB JOHN finds himself the unexpected In owner of a Httlo farm York He decides to take his nieces Louise Patsy Beth and for the summer The girls are at tho prospect of a lazy summer but immediately upon their arrival stir up a mystery which proves of great and lends excitement to the glorious days ’ I r — — 1 - New three there — -t delighted interest t VIII CHAPTER M The ' 1 i Little Schoolma’am DAN balked journey but 7: only twice the on this moderate Uncle annoyed he declared he would walk back rather than ride behind this “mulish antiquity’' again When they came to the Thompson dwelling it at first sight seemed A knock on the front door failed to produce any response “Perhaps they’re away from home" suggested Ixiuise “There’s a path around to the back” said in Uncle John “Let’s explore that direction” They made their way leisurely toward the rear and had almost passed the house when deep roar broke the It was succeeded by another and another like the bellowing of a mad bull the intruders and stopped short and JOuise clung to her uncle in sudden i rebellion John that 11 ?f even so -r 1 f ’ i 1 a - i I li jOT deserted m v?— n stillness “ ’ ' panic “Bo still Will! Stop say— stop!” crack as of a lash accompanied tho words and a moan dr two was followed by absolute silence Uncle John and Louise looked at one another with startled eyes “J Jo must be worse” said the old gentleman mopping his forehead with handkerchief a accord they started softly' With one to retrace their steps when a new It halted them again sound was a clear fresh young voice singing a plain-five in ditty a nonchalant careless A I sharp A‘vM - M t f J U' B ?7 : ’ tone f I’m “That's Ethel sure” exclaimed Louise grasping her uncle’s arm “Well what shall we do?” ho de manded "Jlr tho crazy man seems quiet now” she whispered “Let us find the girl if can” we So again they traversed the path and this time came to the pretty garden house Ethel was tending a flower bed She wore her gingham dress and sunbonnet and kneeling in the patli stretched out her slim brown arm to uproot the weeds But the 'crunchingofthe gravel aroused her attention and observing her visitors she sprang up and hastened toward them Louise introduced her uncle and in her pleasant most and them way and ‘the school teacher led to a garden bench and begged them to be seated is “The day lovely” she said “and always find niy garden more cheerful than the house Grandfather’s makes the house unpleasant for strangers too” at Louise was surprised this and Uncle John coughed to hide his embarrassment is hope invalid is— improving” “1—1 the ho said doubtful whether he should-say anything on the delicate behind-the I' a ' -- f " s ‘ I 4 in v I - her-self I J " ' graciousf '- 7 I ' ’ ’ '- I illness ' frank-reference ' subject not or is “He always the response the quiet have told mailman? known in you - Our this not that great same sir” suppose grandfather was “I trouble- is they ‘ is a well neighborhood” dangerous suppose?” hazarded Uncle John remembering the bellowing lie “Oh not at all fully paralyzed from his waist down poor grandfather and do no harm to any one But can often his outbreaks are unpleasant to deprecat-irigly listen to” continued tlie girl as suddenly conscious that’ they had overheard- tho recent uproar he been— this way— for long?” inquired TOtiise mind has been erratic and since remember” can calmly “but he answered Ethel at violent the time Captain Wegg died same three years ago Grandfather was very fond of the Captain and happened to be with him at of his the time sudden death The shock-drove him mad” paralyzed before that time?” he “Was earnestly asked Louise “No but the paralysis followed The doctor says that a bipod vessel which burst in the is responsible for afflic brain both tions” The pause that followed was growing when Uncle John said with awkward evident effort to change the sub an is- -“fie' I -brutal is ' ' ’ -if 4 -"jjas '' ': : unbalanced -‘‘ilia I ? firstbecame t f i t almost -immediately or i 1 1 I r t ' ject: “This j fine old homestead” indeed” responded Ethel brightly “and it enjoys the distinction of Of being the first houses built one in the My the first settler in was really these parts and originally located his cabin wiliere tho mill now stands 'Little Bill Thompson’ he was called for he was a wiry small man— very different from grandfather who in his prime was a powerful man of over six feet Little Bill Hill and Little Bill Creek were named after this pioneer "It -: is a is foot-hills 1 J 1 great-grandfather great-grand- 4aa— ' ' I 1 “She sire hazarded a’ tarlling query: who was quite successful raising flocks of sheep on the plateau Before he died he built this house preferring to his the location first one” is “Tho garden beautiful” said Louise entlmsiasticaJly “And do you teach in the little brick schoolhouse across tho way?” “Yes Grandfather built it years ago without dreaming would ever Now the county supports the school and pays me my salary” long have you taught?” “How two "or grandfather years isIt necessary now that disabled He has a small income remaining however and wdth what get along-very earn wo nicely” of to “It was very good you assist In getting our’ house ready for us” said Louise I’We might have found In things sorry condition but for your z " I it I a because it excited reason -he a a I is simple-minded honest-hearted old and to face the world smilingly his part of religidn am sure he has nothing to conceal and Ids devotion to his blind wife is verv beautiful” a fellow is a I “But Nora — how long has she been blind?” all “Perhaps life her cannot tell is how long Yet wonderful how she finds her way without the of aid sight Captain Wegg used to say she was the best housekeeper he knew” ever his “Did not wife keep house for him when she was alive?” “I do not remember her” “They say she was most unhappy” Ethel dropped her eyes and did not I it perfectly reply “How about Cap'n Wegg?” asked thought reminded him of Dan ’’Do you know” he inquired “where could buy a decent horse?” The gir looked thoughtful moment then glanced up with bright smile “Will you buy one of me?" she asked “Willingly dear if my vou’ve an animal to sell” “it’s— it’s our Joe He was favorite colt when his trouble came upon him We have no use for him now for always ride or drive ray pony And grandmother says he's eating ins head off to no purpose so we’d like to sell him If will come to the barn I’ll introduceyou to vou him” Joe proved on inspection to be an excellent horse if appearances were to betrusted and Ethel assured Mr Merrick that the steed was both gentle and intelligent “Do inquired' you use that surrey?” Undo John pointing to a neat vehicle that seemed to be nearly new “Very seldom sir Grandmother would like to sell with the horse” “It’s exnetlj' what need” declared Mr Merrick for “How much Joe and his harness and the surrey?'' “I'll go and ask what grandmother wants” She returned after few minutes stating a figure that made Uncle Joe lift his brows with a comical expression “A hundred dollars! Do vou take me for a brigand little girl? know what horses are worth for I’ve bought plenty of ’em Your Joe seems sound as dollar and he's just in hig prime I a a grandfather’s I It I a I a cheap for be worth at the harness give you two-fifty not a cent more dirt will in twenty-five or less the outfit countrymen investment I I It at 1 is Put and I’ll and Eh?” “No indeed” said Ethel “We could not get more tlian a hundred dollai-s from any one else around here” “Because neighbors your are and can’t afford a proper So when they buy at all they only give about half what a thing Is actually worth But I’ll be honest with The price offer is a good you I’d deal less than have to pay in the city— Hutchinson would charge me five hundred at least—and need just what you’ve got to sell What do you say Miss Ethel?” is “The price hundred one dollars Mr Merrick” “I won’t pay Let talk with me your grandmother” “Sflie does not see any one sir” Louise looked up sharply scenting another clue “Isn’t she well dear?” she asked in smooth tones “She looks after grandfather and helps Aunt Lucy with the housework” “Well come Ixraise we’ll go home” said Uncle John sadly “I'd hoped to be able to drive this fine fellow back but Dan’ll have to all the way to the farm”groan an’ balk Ethel smiled “Better buy at Mr my price she suggested Tell you what I'll do” he said pausing “I’ll split the difference Take Take two hundred and we’ll call it a at for perhaps that had been enacted her very door She cordially urged Ethel Thompson to spend a day with them at the farm and Uncle John who was pleased with the modesty of and frankness the fair-haired little sohool teacher earnestly seconded the invi-tation Theii he thought of sgoing home and tiie seventy-five least demanded a it hundred and fifty him and the surrey I I suddenly” A bad-tempered” - demanded he interested is f Wegg? John “Did you like him? You see we’re mighty curious about the family because we’ve acquired their old home and are bound to be in the people who used to live there” “That is natural” remarked tho little school teacher with a sigh “Captain Wegg was always kind to me but the neighbors as a rule thought him moody and After a “He "was not as pause she added: kind to his son as to me But think his life was an unhappy one and we his‘ have right to no reprove memory too severely for his faults” “What made him unhappy?’ asked Louise quickly Ethel smiled into her eager face “No one has solved that problem they The Captain was as- silent say as he was morose” The detective instinct was- alive in Louise She hazarded a startling query: “Who killed Captain Wegg?” she suddenly Another smile preceded the reply “A dreadful foe called heart disease But come let me show you my garden There are no such roses as these for miles around” Louise was confident she had made progress Ethel had admitted several things that lent countenance to the suspicions already aroused' but this simple country girl had never imagined the tragedy I “Oh enjoyed the work assure Ethel you” replied "As it is my vacation was a real pleasure to me to have something to do fear But my arrangement of your pretty furniture ungraceful” was very “We haven’t altered“You single thing” declared Louise must have found tedious task unpacking and getting everything in shape” and Nora “Tom they were good help are fond of me and seem to understand my wishes and Peggy McNutt brought me some men to do the lifting and rough work” explained Ethel “Have known Hucks and his you wife long?” asked Undo John “Since sir remember They cn came here many with Captain years ago Wegg” “And has Thomas always smiled?” Louise inquired “Always” was the laughing reply “It’s an odd to expression isn’t dwell forever on a man’s face? But is Tom never angry or hurt or by anything so there is no should not smile At the time of Captain Wbgg’s death' and poor grandfather's terrible affliction Old Hucks kept right on' snjiling the same as ever aud perhaps hig pleasant face helped to cheer us all” Louise drew long breath “Then the smile is mask” she said “and is assumed to conceal the man’s real feelings” “I do not think so” Ethel answered thoughtfully is “The smile habitual and dominates any other expression his features might be capable of but that It is assumed do not believe Thomas Caplaiu killed Uncle teacnthere kindness-” ‘Who Merrick” bargain “But “Lt I cannot will of help fixing do that you the sir” for pay the hard work up house” he pleadingly “Your bill wasn't uali ejuun Aly bill? rrl The one paid for your services “I made no charge sir could not accept anything for a bit of assistance to neighbor” "Oh! Then IVn'Mnff mi A m dwfu fly sorry Mr Merrick void Peggy would not accept paymeat” “H-rn Never mind "VVe’rf DOt p’ninff to quarrel little neighbor Joe to the surrey?" I’ll KP help Il YUU you” nYj?XIe ed Joe from h5s stall and together Jn they harnessed the horse to the surrey The girl knew better than Slvnn0 b0buckle the straps pro er whle Louise stood by helplesslv and watched the performance Uncle John went for old Dan intomtheeThn’ riCket and a11’ tne hompson stable send Hucks over to get him rn t°hoghhd ’niSht a? we1 knock in rejoined tr McNuttxrirAe I ” I a 1 i fvl d X7 I j -then 1 " I 11 the head he said as he unharnessed the ancient steed "Now then Louise hop in” da7Olfnr SU5e tO MCOme over Thurs-o V’j he dayThompson"' asked Louise taking Joe’s reins from her uncle s hands “I’ll not forget such a delightful ’ ’ r engagement be sure” Uncle John had his pocketbook out now he wadded UP some bills and thrust them into the little school teachers hand “Drive ahead Louise” he called and |