The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-01-14
CHAPTER VUI-coNrISuEp.

1t
must be III or near Richmond.
When the morning broke she found
herself in Richmond, and alone in a big
city for the first time since she had
been a child; but she was not afraid.
Her modest, self-possessed manner be-
trayed as much. Nevertheless the
usual pitfalls for the fair, unprotected
young maiden were before her.
She soon d scovered policeman lott
ering around the depot OF him she
began her inquiries.
want to know how to find ont about
old residents of some twenty years or
SO; well, really, / couldn't tell you
myself. Now there's old Mr.. Closing
ton that lives back here a square or so,
he might know, as he has always lived
here"
Nora paused a moment, then decided
to visit old Mr.. Clossington, and al
lowed the policeman to show her the
way.
She found him in his dark old house, a
confirmed invalid, reclining in his great
chair; but when she made known her
request he frightened up wonderfully
"Fairleighs? Fairleigh's Hall? bless
my stars! yes | do remember Richard
falrleigh when boy, young man,
but he's been gone these many, many
years, and Fairleigh Hall has long
since been owned by strangers"
Did he live there with his wife,"
Wife, bless my stars no, my lass,
don't think the Young fellow had any
WHEAT least not while he lived at
Fairleigh Hall"
How old was lie when he sold air.
leigh Hall, can you remember"
oh, he was young-that is young
to what | am-vou see I'm ninety-one,
he. he. Well, it was, | should Judge,
sixteen or seventeen y5ars-no maybe
it wasn't over fifteen"
Then he was not young man when
he sold Fairleigh Hall-he must have
been near fortv-but was there not a
period when he was absent from home
for some time, perhaps years."
Likely, very likely, yes, yes, | re-
member now-my memory is not so
good as it used to be but do remem-
Der, after his college days he closed up
the old pace and went a-traveling
done Europe, | believe, in the regular
way
How long was he ahsent?"
Bless ne! | forget, and ! used to
know him, too, pretty we'll; but should
say it was matter of ten years he was
away. | know how old and strange he
looked when he returned. But what
was he to you, lass -
'He-he was my father.
"Your father? Bless me, child, Won
IL
your face better. Your father. Yes,
yes; you've the shaped features of him,
true enough, and look IN the ewes,
too, the same. And SO you're tracing
up his early life, are you? and you
tell me he is dead? Poor fellow, poor
fellow! You want to know the direc-
ton of Fairleigh Hall, to be sure, so
You do Here, Biddy; get your hat
and show this lady the way to Fair
leigh Hall"
"Fairleigh Hall, master?"
ooh, yes-I forget; it's called Clifton
Heights now. But it's all the same, for
Clifton Heights is Fairleigh Hall"
1t was rather long walk, but they
reached it at last; and, with bright
new quarter in her hand, liddy re-
turned home and Nora was left alone
gazing at the palatial home that had
once been her fathers.
What dream of beauty it is Oh,
papa, papa! what dreadful sorrow
drove you to the drear loneliness OF
Fairleigh Ranch after such luxuriance
as this 2"
SO intent was she upon the scene be-
fore her she failed to hear the clatter OF
hoofs upon the paved road, and not nm
til loud cry from behind rang out,
and she felt herself snatched back from
her position, just III time to save her
from being trampled nnder the feet Of
strong team of powerful bays, who
refused to stop at the drawn rein oil
their frightened colored driver.
You needless rascal" exclaimed hen
rescuer, addressing the darkv. What
do you mean by driving in such reck.
less manner?" Then he turned te
\ ra. who stood by his side, pale but
not at all frightened, although she re-
allied from what she had just been
saved.
Il beg your pardon, miss, but
Good heavens Miss Fairleigh."
ora had recognized him instantly,
and conscious of her dusty appearance
her wearied face, flushed slightly but
bowed and said quietly:
Mr.. ester Gray. | believer"
Yes: and what wonderful chance
brought you here2 | thought You al
North Platte.
so | was" smiled Nora, "a week
ago, and | expect to return there in
another week-or rather to pass
through there and go on to Cheyenne.
But YOU are weary and | am keep
ing you standing so long. This is my
uncle's home and-would you-coulC
YOU
But Nora shakes her head decidedly
Il must be going; thank you fol
keeping me from under those horses
feet. was merely viewing this lovely
place.
les it is pretty; but, Miss Fair
leigh, where are You stopping? II
might call-or do you any favor.
y came to Virginia to visit friend:
of papas. No, thank you, but
couldn't ask you to call" And in spit,
of herself, Nora blushed furiously, de
termined he should not know how
frieudless she was.
He watched her graceful figure a
she walked down the street, and won
dered what her presence meant il
Richmond.
"Df all the strange happenings!
wonder if she knew this was once hel
fathers house? She little imagined
that | returned here wholly and en-
tirely IN her interests. | knew tina
uncle had purchased the Richard Ear
leigh mansion, and when they threw OF
his daughter as common pauper
thought I'd try the detective business
little to please myself, and-because
gas very much interested IN pretty lit