Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-07

l made a strange discovery.
My father while he carried little money
about his person, was in the habit of keep
ing considerable sums in the house; there
is no bank within ten miles. However, he
was wary; he had a hiding place, which he
had revealed to no one but myself. He
had small stand in his room near the
head of his bed. Under this stand, or
rather under the top of it. he had tackled n
large leather wallet In this he kept all
his spare money. I remember how his Eyes
twinkled when he showed it to me.
THE average mind thinks things have
either got to be In or on" said my father.
They don't consider there's ways of GET
ting around gravitation and calculation"
In searching my fathers room I called
to mind that saying of his, and his pecu-
my discovery. I have argued that in a
search of this kind I ought not only to
search for hidden traces Of the criminal,
but for everything which had been for any
father himself has hidden. something frcm
his past history may furnish a motive for
some one else
The money In the wallet under the table,
some $500. had been removed and deposited
in the bank. Nothing more was to be
found there. I examined tho bottom of the
bureau and the un1ersides of the chair
seats. There are two chairs in the room
besides the cushioned rocker-green-pa Int
ed wooden chairs, with flag seats l found
nothing under the seats.
Then turned each of the green chairs
completely over. and examined the lotion
of the legs. My heart leaped when found
bit of leather nicely tackled over one.
got the tack hammer and drew the tacks
The chair leg had been followed out, and
for an inch the hole was packed tight with
cotton. l began picking out the cotton.
and soon felt something hard 1t proved
to be an old-fashioned gold band, quite
wide and heavy like a wedding ring.
1 took it over to the window and found
this inscription on the inside: Let love
abide forever" There were two dates
one in August. forty years ago, and the
other in August of this present year.
I 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. I think my
father must have treasured up this ring
This can hardly be clue; this can hardly
lead to the discovery of a motive, but
will put it in the box with the rest
sunday night.-Today. of course. did
church. l could not face old friends that
could not face me. Sometimes I think
that everybody in my native village be-
ieves in my guilt. What must have cen
all my life? 1 have studied myself in the
glass, and tried to discover the possbili-
ties of evil that they must see in my face.
This afternoon about o'clock the hour
when people here have just finished their
Sunday dinner. there was a knock on the
Forth door. l answered 1t, and a strange
young man stood there with large book
under his arm. He was thin and clearly
shaved, with a clerical air.
Il have a work here to which I would
like to call your attention." he began; and
stared at him in establishment, for why
should book agent be peddling his wares
upon the Sabbath?
His mouth twitched q little tits a bib
Heal cyclopaedia," said he.
Il don't think care to take it," said I.
you are Miss Sarah Fairbanks, be-
heve?'
THAT Is my name" replied stiffly.
''Mr. Henry Ellis of Digby sent me here"
he said next. MY namo is Dix-Francis
Dix"
Then knew that he was Henry's cousin
from Boston-the detective who had come
to help me. I felt tears coming to my eyes
You are very kind to come" I managed
to say.
II am very selfish, not kind" he return
ed, but you had better let me come IN, or
my chance Of success in my book agency
is lost, If the neighbors see me trying to
sell 1t on Sunday. And. Miss Fairbanks,
this Is bona fide agency. shall canvass
the town."
He came in. showed him all this that
have written. and he read 1t carefully
When he had finished he sat still for
long time, with his face screwed up in q
peculiar meditative fashion.
Wen ferret this out in three days at
the most" said he finally. with a sudden
clearing of his face and flash of his eyes
at me.
Il had planned for three years, perhaps"
said 1.
II tell you. wen do 1t in three days." he
repeated. Where can I get board while
canvass for this remarkable and interest
ing. book under my arm? I can't stay here.
Of course. and there is no hotel Do you
think the two dressmakers next door,
Phoebe Dole and the other one, would take
me in?''
l said they mad never taken boarders.
well. I'll go over and inquire" said Mr.
Dix; and he had gone. with his book under
his arm, almost before knew it.
Never have I seen any one act with the
strange. noi3eless, soft speed that this
man does. Can he prove me innocent in
three days? He must have succeeded in
getting board at Phoebe Dole's, for I saw
him go past to meeting with her this even
ing. I feel sure he will be over very early
tomorrow morning.
CTo be continued.)