Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

ty and-urged thereto by her worldly-minded mother-led a mere butterfly existence. Her two cousins frankly agreed that Louise was shallow, insincere and inclined to be

y blonde hair and winning expression. There was a rumor that she was engaged to be married to Arthur Weldon, a young man of position in the city

nts the girl was more unaffected and natural in her ways, and her fault

her assumed graciousness, and while she would have been more lovable without any pretence or sham she could not have been Louise Merrick and allow others to read her as she actually was. Patsy and Beth thought t

history of Captain Wegg. The plain folks around Millville might speculate listlessly upon the "queer doin's" at the farm, and never get anywhere near the truth. Indeed, the strange o

om of the sea captain's romance would be a charming diversion while she resided at Millville, and in undertaking the task

her her suspicions or her proposed investigation to anyone for the present, but to keep her own coun

to build this house, maintain two servants and live for years in comfort without any income from his barren farm lands. What became of his money after his death? Why was his only son obliged to fly to the cities in order to obtain a l

l Thompson. Was he crazy before the Captain's death, or had he be

her, and people expected they would marry in time. But at his father's sudden death the boy fled and left

did they know about their old master's secret history? What tragic memories lur

d be of use to her; McNutt, the agent, who evidently knew more than he had cared to tell; Old Hucks and his wife and Ethel Thompson, the school-teacher. There might be others

from his visit to the

o call upon that young lady who arranged o

true," h

er to Thompson's t

ed a tramp to the lake, an

te the girl to come here and spend a day with us

uise. I was wondering w

s to get the

ised, and a curious expression showed for an instant through

tood wat

homas, considering the fact that

e returned, buckling a strap unmoved. "W

essed

more on the subject she asked:

h's tender an' it makes him balky. Ef he balks jest let him rest a

ook the reins. Dan groaned and ambled slowly aro

cle," she said; "

seat beside her. "I don't understand how he's happened to live since the landin

er a reproachful look; then he groaned again, leaned f

he Thompsons live?"

Whoa,

hing the nag did. H

ohn, turning in his seat

n and approached them.

on's p

other fleeting exp

er to thank her for

d-perhaps you oughtn't to-to go to-Thompson's," stammered

ng, anyhow," gro

main road an' keep stra

r. Brick schoolhouse

Thomas. Driv