American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-01-17
VOL. NNIV.

| for her. Meantime, the day appointed 10y
the lawyers for entering into arrange
| ments with their client respecting the for
tune of which lie had unexpectedly com,
into possession by the death of brother
abroad, had come and gone. The per
picked legal firm, acting in the interest %
| their client, instituted Il rigorous search
| but without success. The friend, Jacol
Moss, feeble old man, had been duly
| communicated with and keenly cross
examined David Birch had paid his visit
on the day named, arriving, as far rs the
| old man could recollect, about halt-past
| two. and starting on his return journey
| about dusk Here the clue was lost
Thus the DAYS went by without throwing
any light on the old mans fate, and poor
Polly, worn with grief and anxiety, often
cried herself to sleep.
oh, Nellie-Nellie. You don't know
what has happenedHn
1t was with these words that John
Birch had suddenly presented himself to
his sister, a tall, dark-eyed girl, who
might have been taken as a soltened like
ness of himself She was busily at work
when he came in, but on the first glance
at his agitated face she dropped her
needle and rose hurriedly.
ooh, joint what is the matter?''
Uncle David has been missing from
home since the 23d of last month, and no
one can tell what has become of him"
missing from home, joint Why, it
was only last week that we heard he had
a fortune left him by his brother"
"Yes, that's true enough, Nellie; and l
hear that it comes to me after his death.
The lawyers are seeking him everywhere.
But think of poor Polly being in all this
trouble, and us never to know it, 1t just
seems as if that odd job of work in the
country came on purpose to take me out
of her way; and you're SO moped up
here that you never hear anything" he
added, Iretfully.
John, Eli put on my things and go to
her at once, if you think l can do any
good"
Eyes, Nell, think you may. know
| always like to have you by me when
I'm III trouble. l would go myself, but
I'm forbidden the house. You remember
what told you of my quarrel with the
old man. l wish to heaven those i'll
words had not passed between us
At that moment there was sound of
heavy footsteps on the stairs, followed by
a smart ran at the door. Nellie went to
open it, but started back at the sight of
two policemen on the threshold.
docs John Birch live here?"
i L y
man called out ''what do you want with
me?"
Come this way and I'll tell you"
no, tell ME here"
The officer glanced compassionately at
Nellie's white face as he answered, well,
if you don't mind the young woman hear
ing. you're our prisoner"
Your prisoner! Impossible! on what
charger"
Il dare say you know well enough.
There's been body found by the river.
and it's thought there's been some foul
play
"Whose body?"
ssDavid Birch's, the bird fancier, that's
been missing lately"
My uncle," gasped John.
Exactly. You're our man. You've
had quarrel with him, and you're arrest
ed on suspicion. We got the clue from
Thomas Bartlett"
Bartlett" The young carpenter re-
peaied the name with groan, and stag
gered against the wall, adding, May God
forgive him this wickedness!'
At the same moment his sister threw
herself on his neck with cry that thrilled
those who heard it.