CHAPTER VII.
LOUISE SCENTS A MYSTERY.
Louise Merrick was the eldest of Uncle John's nieces, having just passedher eighteenth birthday. In the city she was devoted to the requirementsof fashionable society and--urged thereto by her worldly-mindedmother--led a mere butterfly existence. Her two cousins frankly agreedthat Louise was shallow, insincere and inclined to be affected; but ofthe three girls she displayed the most equable and pleasant dispositionand under the most trying circumstances was composed and charming inmanner. For this reason she was an agreeable companion, and men usuallyadmired her graceful figure and her piquant, pretty face with its crownof fluffy blonde hair and winning expression. There was a rumor that shewas engaged to be married to Arthur Weldon, a young man of position inthe city; but Uncle John ignored the possibility of losing one of hischerished nieces and declared that Louise was still too young to thinkof marriage.
When away from her frivolous mother and the inconsequent homeenvironments the girl was more unaffected and natural in her ways, andher faults were doubtless more the result of education than ofnatural tendency.
One thing was indisputable, however: Louise Merrick was a clever girl,possessing a quick intellect and a keen insight into the character ofothers. Her apparent shallowness was a blind of the same character asher assumed graciousness, and while she would have been more lovablewithout any pretence or sham she could not have been Louise Merrick andallow others to read her as she actually was. Patsy and Beth thoughtthey knew her, and admired or liked rather than loved their cousin.Uncle John thought he knew her, too, and was very proud of his eldestniece in spite of some discovered qualities that were not whollyadmirable.
An extensive course of light literature, not void of "detectivestories," had at this moment primed Louise with its influence to theextent of inducing her to scent a mystery in the history of CaptainWegg. The plain folks around Millville might speculate listlessly uponthe "queer doin's" at the farm, and never get anywhere near the truth.Indeed, the strange occurrences she had just heard were nearly forgottenin the community, and soon would be forgotten altogether--unless thequick ear of a young girl had caught the clue so long ignored.
At first she scarcely appreciated the importance of the undertaking. Itoccurred to her that an effort to read to the bottom of the seacaptain's romance would be a charming diversion while she resided atMillville, and in undertaking the task she laughingly accused herself ofbecoming an amateur detective--an occupation that promised to bethrilling and delightful.
Warned, however, by the rebuff she had met with from Uncle John, thegirl decided not to confide either her suspicions or her proposedinvestigation to anyone for the present, but to keep her own counseluntil she could surprise them all with the denouement or requiredassistance to complete her work.
Inspired by the cleverness and fascination of this idea, Louise set towork to tabulate the information she had received thus far, noting the;element of mystery each fact evolved. First, Captain Wegg must have beena rich man in order to build this house, maintain two servants and livefor years in comfort without any income from his barren farm lands. Whatbecame of his money after his death? Why was his only son obliged to flyto the cities in order to obtain a livelihood? Secondly, the Captain, asurly and silent man, had brought hither--perhaps by force--a youngwoman as his wife who was so unhappy that she pined away and died. Whowas this woman? What had rendered her so unhappy and despairing?
Thirdly, the Captain's only friend had been a crazy man named WillThompson. Was he crazy before the Captain's death, or had he becomecrazed at that time, some terrible tragedy unhinging his mind?
Fourthly, the granddaughter of Thompson, Ethel, and the son of CaptainWegg had been in love with each other, and people expected they wouldmarry in time. But at his father's sudden death the boy fled and lefthis sweetheart without a word. Why--unless something had occurred thatrendered their marriage impossible?
In the fifth place there was Old Hucks and his blind wife to beconsidered. What did they know about their old master's secret history?What tragic memories lurked beneath the man's perpetual smile and thewoman's composed and sightless face?
Surely there was enough here to excite the curiosity and warrant aneffort to untangle the mystery. And as instruments to the end there wereseveral people available who could be of use to her; McNutt, the agent,who evidently knew more than he had cared to tell; Old Hucks and hiswife and Ethel Thompson, the school-teacher. There might be others, butone or another of these four must know the truth, and it would be herpleasant duty to obtain a full disclosure. So she was anxious to beginher investigations at once.
When her uncle returned from his visit to the pigs Louise said to him:
"I've been thinking, dear, that we ought to call upon that young ladywho arranged our rooms, and thank her for her kindness."
"That's true," he replied.
"Can't we drive over to Thompson's this morning, Uncle?"
"Beth and Patsy have planned a tramp to the lake, and a row afterwater-lilies."
"Then let us make our call together. We can invite the girl to come hereand spend a day with us, when Patsy and Beth will be able to meet her."
"That's a good idea, Louise. I was wondering what I'd do this morning.Tell Old Hucks to get the nag harnessed."
The girl ran eagerly upon her errand. Old Hucks seemed surprised, and acurious expression showed for an instant through his smile. But heturned without a word to harness the horse.
Louise stood watching him.
"Your fingers are quite nimble, Thomas, considering the fact that youwere once a sailor," she said.
"But sailors have to be nimble, miss," he returned, buckling a strapunmoved. "Who tol' ye I were once a sea-farin' man?"
"I guessed it."
As he appeared indisposed to say more on the subject she asked: "Did yousail with Captain Wegg?"
"Partly, miss. Dan's already now. Don't jerk the bit, fer his mouth'stender an' it makes him balky. Ef he balks jest let him rest a time, an'then speak to him. Dan ain't vicious; he's jest ornery."
She climbed into the dilapidated old buggy and took the reins. Dangroaned and ambled slowly around to where Uncle John stood awaitinghis niece.
"Let me drive, Uncle," she said; "I understand Dan."
"Well, I don't," returned Uncle John, in his whimsical way, as hemounted to the seat beside her. "I don't understand how he's happened tolive since the landing of Columbus, or what he's good for, or whysomeone don't knock him on the head."
Dan turned his long, lean face as if to give the speaker a reproachfullook; then he groaned again, leaned forward, and drew the buggy slowlyinto the stony lane.
"Do you know where the Thompsons live?" inquired Uncle John.
"No. Whoa, Dan!"
That was the best thing the nag did. He knew how to whoa.
"Thomas!" called Uncle John, turning in his seat; and at the summons OldHucks came from the barn and approached them. "How do you get to MissThompson's place?"
"Miss Ethel's?" Another fleeting expression of surprise.
"Yes; we're going over to thank her for her kindness to us."
"I--I'm 'most sure as she'll be here soon to call, sir. And--perhaps yououghtn't to--to go to--Thompson's," stammered Hucks, glancing up at themwith his bright, elusive smile.
"Well, we're going, anyhow," growled Mr. Merrick.
"Then turn left at the main road an' keep straight ahead to Thompson's.Ye can't miss it, sir. Brick schoolhouse on the other corner."
"Thank you, Thomas. Drive on, Louise."
Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville Page 7
