Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-03-23
CHAPTER XIV

lzim of, after consultation with law
yer, ny dear"
She said il aloud, as IL she would re-
assure the unresting spirit that was
t3orevtr goading her to fresh endeavor
in the direction of solving the Norcross
mystery.
If ever she felt tempted TO give over
che hopeless task OF unearthing her sis
fseeras shaver there would come back TO
eaer, with reproaGh in its shadowy eyes,
"a vision of Amelia, not as she had seen
saer il the Norcross mansion, ablaze
with Jewels and flashing in yellow
satin, mt Amelia in her peculiarly help
Less, clinging childhood; Amelia in her
pure, happy girlhood Amelia in her
Nv inning, unsullied, budding woman
hood; she Amelia whom she had loved
and protected before that rash marriage
with -Sibley Fairbanks, which had been
dissolved, as rashly, at the close of
-e1hTet pears.
o5 that Amelia, and of none other,
would she permit herself to think. 1t
rvvas hat Amelia who was still appeal
ing 70 her for help. She raised her
Grms despairingly.
In ali this wide world. full of clear
heads, strong arms and tender hearts,
there was none TO care, not one to
help her throw the light of truth upon
that dark, dark spot in her memory.
Perhaps it had been reserved for Dick
20 help her. Perhaps the clew had been
put into his hands for her guidance
No one could have had any motive
Tor that dastardly deed but Sibloy Fair
banks. Amelia zthc beautiful willful
Amelia-had not made him a good wife.
She had heard only Mcllie's partial
statements but il had been enough.
Sibley Fairbanks had the motive of
Jealous revenge 10 steel his arm; and
ahere was the witness of the seal of the
Fairbanks family.
II will do it, my dear. viii follow
this clew TO its bitter end. Perhaps then
you viii rest, and 50 will l."
Yes, steam is slow plodding beast,
especially when every nerve in ones
body is aquiver with impatience.
-Sibley Fairbanks, steaming slowly up
the river in answer To Ida's telegram,
was in just such feverish state of un-
rest, until, eagerly running across the
clumsy staging that was flung ont for
his convenience at his own landing, he
saw two carriages waiting under the
spreading sycamore trees. One was n
hackney coach occupied by two white
sEnen.
Old Cato stood b hcaa by the
horses If the che ui thered
black face had beamed homely wei
come to his boy Sibley' long before the
egangway had been adjusted Sibley
had waved his hat cordially in return
II was towarls Catos vehicle that he
vas hurrying, when sober face and a
massive form were interposed between
it.and him.
II am sorry, Mr.. Fairbanks, but-you
gre my prisoner
He recoiled step and looked the man
sAmazedly in the face.
''Your prisoner?''
The man extended folded piece OF
rraper. He declined touching it.
''Who are you2'
Martin Hastings, sheriff of Dalton"
''But are you not making mistake
Mr. Sheriff.
mot unless the mistake lies in think
eng that you are the SiDley Fairbanks
herein described"
Again he offered the warrant for
perusal This time Sibley took it and
sycamore trees that stretched their
gnarly branches protectingly over him,
with Cato watching the whole strange
scene in throbbing anxiety
Fairbanks grew ghastly white as he
read The paper trcmbled in his grasp.
When ne handed it back it fell between
him and Sheriff Hastings. He took out
MS white silk handkerchief and wiped
IL - II
was afraid to trust himself to words.
At last:
"Does that mean,' he asked huslxily,
that ! must go with you-go back to
Kew orleans?"
1ytaoes"
"Do you know what brought me
Enere?"
"You are here TO attend your fathers
funeral We have thought of that, and
s-are disposed to make il as easy on you
>'nsGpossible My companion here-my
'rieputy-is entirely unknown In this
neigh borhood- With your permission
lreS will drive TO Glenburnie in the SAINT
q carriage with you would advise you
topo quietly lie can pass as friend
vino came up with you, you know"
'n:suppose you meantto be kind, so
ought to thank you do" said Sibley,
with mechanical courtesy.
mo call for gratitude; only, you See
there's no use your kicking against the
-sprielzs, and there's no use our making IL
any rougher ON yousthan need be-"
"Whst is my friends name?' asked
Fairbanks, smiling somewhat grimly,
a the sheriff beckoned TO his com
gpanion. slight, boyish, beardless young
xmmn.
"Moore. As gentle as girl, as long
as you walk s..sight, bat Old Nick him
self couldn't get away from him" lie
chad caught and misread the wintry
..miie ON Fairbanks lips.