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Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

It's only her manner that is different."

"When I first saw her, before Tom came, I was astonished at her

resemblance to Mrs. Rogers," announced Beth. "I have never seen Lucy,

but I know Mrs. Rogers, and it seemed to me that Eliza was exactly like

her in features. Mr. Forbes and I first saw her riding in a buggy with

Mr. Hopkins. That was before either of us knew she was employed at

Elmhurst. You see she isn't one of the servants who come much in contact

with the family; she does the mending and takes charge of the linen

room."

Beth then related the manner in which they first noticed Eliza, and how

they had discovered her to be a spy in the service of Mr. Hopkins.

The detective was much interested in the recital and seemed surprised

that he had not been informed of this before.

"Of course," said Kenneth, "the girl is not Lucy Rogers. It is not

possible they could be the same."

"Why not?" asked Mr. Burke.

"Well, Lucy was a gentle, sweet country girl, of little experience in

life. Her nature was so susceptible, so very sensitive, that when she

discovered Tom Gates, whom she loved, to be guilty of a forgery, she

worried herself into an attack of brain-fever; or at least she became

insane, reproaching herself for having driven the boy to this dreadful

deed. Under the influence of her mania she wandered away from her home,

and has not been seen since. That's the story of Lucy Rogers. Now look

at Eliza Parsons. She appeared the very day after Lucy's disappearance,

to be sure; but that proves they are not the same person. For Eliza is

not demented. She is a cold, hard woman of the world, in spite of her

tender years. She is doing the work of an experienced spy, while any

deceit was foreign to Lucy's nature. Instead of being plunged in grief

Eliza is happy and gay, reckless of consequences and fully

self-possessed. She is also well and healthy, to all appearances. Taking

all these things into consideration, it is impossible to connect the two

girls in any way--save the coincidence of personal resemblance.

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