The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1893-08-24
CHAPTER III


A man as much In love with his wife
as John L0rimer was with the woman
he had taken ION faith" was not likely
10 fan every spark Of suspicion into
living coal OF mistrust He would have
much liked to be able % explain Nj
nette more clearly ~ his mother and
the boys. but, as he could not, loyalty
to Nora demanded his acceptance OF
that small cloud on his horizon un-
qucstiOningly.
II was during the course OF one OF
their pleasant morning drives, while he
sat with his long legs partially extend
ed over the side of the village cart, in
order TO leave Ninctte and her stool
ample accommodations, that Nora set
him TO bordering perplexedly.
He had been making her acquainted
with the exterior Of all the country
houses within an area Of ten miles
about White Cliffs. lie had been vast
" entertaining, and she corresponding
ly entertained.
"Ysu see, Mrs John, after this week
] will be in harness. | am going 10 help
Lorrie at the gin"
"Of course, of course. expect shall
have to invent some sort OF harness,
too. ! fancy Mother Lorimer does not
tolerate drones graciously. But, John
dear, tell me something about that
place" She pointed the ferrule OF her
lace-trimmed parasol towards the gable
of a house just disccrnible through a
thick grove Of ancient trees supple
mented by q dense growth OF shrub
berry.
THAT Is Glcnburnic."
$50 you told me as we passed 1t go
ing. But ! want to know sometfsng
more about Glenburnie."
They were driving homeward. II
was she who had pointed to the round
noon shadows at the foot of the trees
and advised him not To keep the early
dinner waiting. She was leaning for
ward in the cart:
This seems to be the grandest Of all
the grand old places yon have shown
me to-day. Go slower, please, John"
John touched the horse in the shafts
between his small pointed ears with
the singing lash of his long driving
whip. 1t sprang forward violently.
81 said slower, not faster. John And
who lives at Glenburnie?"
"Some people by the name of Fair
banks"
''Fairbanks!' 1t was more of an ex'
clamation than an echo.
He turned to look at her. What pos
sible Specification could the name have
for her? She was as white as the
stack of ostrich-Dlumes In the big hat
under which Ninette had gone intc
eclipse. All through the drive she haC
rested one hand on the child's shoulder
to keep her steady. lie could see the
sudden contraction of the gloved fin
gers Ninette turned upon her with pout
ing lips:
"Auntic, you hurt me-"
She laughed, and hastily removed hel
hand. But there was no mirtn in the
laugh, and there was peculiar glitter
in her eyes, which John had never seer
there before.
1--WE must be near neighbors of these
Glenburnie Fairbanks" she said, lean
ing back in the cart, when it was nc
longer possible to study the face Of the
old house.
at Is the adjoining place." saiC
John, mechanically. He felt like NAL
cropping in dream for solution to
puzzle.
"And of course you know the FAN
banls?"
1--WE did know them once upon
time"
Ibid know theml How does one g
about unknowing people, John dear?"
by willing it."
But they live so near. had no ide
that is-what does the family consiI
of, John?"
IAN old man and young woman"
"a handsome Young woman?'