The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-07
copyright. 1895. by Irving B~acherer.)

was packed tight with cotton. I began
picking out the cotton, and soon / felt
something hard. 1t proved to be an old
fashioned gold band, quite wide and
heavy. lii a wedding ring.
/ took it over to the window and found
this inscription on the inside: Let love
abide forever" There We're two dates
one in August, forty years ago, and the
other in August of this present veal
/ think the ring has never been worn;
while the first part of the inscription is
perfectly clear. it looks old, and the last
is evidently freshly cut
This could not have been my mothers
ring. She had only her wedding ring.
and that was buried with her. l think
my father must have treasured up this
ring for years; but why? What does 1t
mean? This can hardly be a clew: this
can hardly lead to the discovery of a
motive. but / will put 1T in the box with
the rest.
Sunday night.-To-day, of course, !
did not pursue my search. / did not go
to church. I could not face old friends
that could not face me. Sometimes l
think that everybody in my native VIII
lage believes in my guilt. What must l
have been in my general appearance and
demeanor all my life? / have studied
myself in the glass, n tried to discover
the possibilities Of evil that they must
see in my face.
Ills dllCiIOOD, dOOut ~ S4VNnf aO
hour when people here have just finished
their Sunday dinner, there was a knock
on the north door. / answered 1t, n q
strange young man stood there with a
large book under his arm. He was thin
and cleanly shaved, with a clerical air.
II have a work here to which / would
like to call your attention." he began;
and | stared at him in establishment, for
why should a book agent be peddling
his wares upon the Sabbath?
His mouth twitched a little. Its a
Biblical Cyclopedia," said he.
81 don't think I care to take it," said /.
You are Miss Sarah Fairbanks, / be-
lieve?"
That is my name," 1 replied, stiffiy.
"Mr. Henry Ellis, of Digby sent me
here" he said next. my name is Dix
Francis Dix"
Then 1 knew that he was Henry's
cousin from B~oston-the detective who
had come to help me. / felt tears COM
ing to my eyes "You are very kind to
come" l managed to say.
81 am very selfish. not kind" he re-
turned. "but you had better let me come
agency is lost, If the neighbors see me
trying to sell 1t on Sunday. And, Miss
Fairbanks, this Is a bona fide agency. /
shall anyass the town."
He came in. I showed him all this
that l I'VE written, and he read 1t care
luiiy. lei ne ud0 uIlSnSo ne SdI I'll
for a long time, with his face screwed Up
in a peculiar, meditative fashion.
We'll ferret this out in three days at
the most" said he finally, with a sudden
clearing of his face and a flash Of his
eyes at me.
II had planned for three years. per-
haps." said /.
Il tell you, We'll do it in three days.
he repeated. Where can / get board
while / ava for this remarkable and
interesting book under my arm? 1 IAN
not stay here, Of course. and there Is no
hotel. Do o think the two dressmakers
next door, Phoebe Dole and the other
one, would take me in?"
1 said they had never taken boardcrs.
We'll, I'll go over and inquire said
Mr.. Dix; and he had gone, with his book
under his arm. almost before I knew it.
Never have I seen any one act with
the strange, noiseless, soft speed that this
man does. Can he prove me innocent in
three days? He must lave succeeded in
getting board at Phoebe Dole's, for !
saw him go past to meeting with her
this evening. / feel sure he will De over
very early tomorrow morning.
Go be continued tomorrow