Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-12-02

ration or having a child OF his own:
and North seemed 10 Shink as much
OF her after Stella came as before. OF
course enc way OF showing bis liking
was bis anxiety 10 have Marion well
married. At all events. the old man
turned the cold shoulder 70 Fetridge,
who was only struggling lawyer. with
nothing but his wits to depend on for
a living. His visits TO the house sud
denly stopped. About two months
after he ceased TO call at the place,
Marion North became Marion Stack
house"
There was plenty OF gossip about
that event at Swampscott. III be
bound" was the detectives comment.
"Of course. Everybody said she mar
ried Stackhouse for money. although
she was in love with the other fellow.
Some people go SO far as 20 say that
Marion and Fetridge had some lovers
quarrel. and so separated. Other peo-
pie, with whom Marion Is no favOrite,
| did not hesitate to say that the young
woman, being one OF the cool and cal
culsting kind. agreed with her father
that StackhOuse was a certainty and
the young lawyer only possibility so
far as money interests were con-
| cerned"
"Fetridge IL a rich man now" oracu-
larry declared Mr.. Lsmm.
"Ahl II friend North had dreamed
that In few weeks Fetridge would
fall heir 70 a very handsome property
in Australia, l think our friend Stack
] house would have been dismissed for
the lawyer. II was an uncle, hear.
that left F'etridge his fortune. Fetridge
went 70 Australia % settle up the es-
tate, as perhaps you know. not in the
| least expecting 20 get much OF any
/ thing But in nine months he came
home, TO everybody surprise, himself
included. n millionaire"
Exactly; well?"
We'll, he began 20 feel drawn to-
ward the Norths again This time the
| old man was very glad to have him on
/ good terms with the family. The al
mighty dollar. you know. I don't mean
70 slur dead mans memory. but Paul
4 North was a disciple OF Mammon. n
ever there was one In the world. The
| question ia everybOdy's mouth ia. how
4 did Stackhouse sttain his extraor-
/ binary influence over Paul North?
attribute IL TO his cunning catering to
the old mans strongest passion
avarice. But not % digress. Fetridge
visited the house regularly for a
| month or two. ard Il was gossiped
| down az the shore that the Apollo had
turned his attention to Miss S.ella. I
am not at all certain as 20 the correct
ness Of that assumption myself.
| Lamm."
He may have something OF his for
mer liking for Marion. you mean?"
Mr.. Lamm found an answering look
from his co-worker that made a spoken
response supernuous.
1 Just about a month ago. LAmm.
| professional business called Fetridge
away from Boston. At any rate that
was the explanation given by the
young lawyer. who appears TO have en-
tered into quite intimate relations
with the firm OF North & Stackhouse
since he came back from Australia
with his millions. A Water street man
l saw AZ the funeral told me be be-
heved Fetridge backed the concern.
and went away on some business con
nected with e."
| That's mere guess" was the de.
tective's comment. we must try 20
get az the real cause for this trip. You
do not imagine that any disagreement
with the family or the arm could have
been AZ the bottom Of IT."
There was no love lost between
Stackhouse and FetridEe. The cause
OF their mutual dislike may OF may not
be hard 20 determine" said Thomas.
IN a meaning tone: but I'm very Ger.
tain. from what has taken place since
Mr.. Eorth's death-Fetrldge did not
come back. you know, until two DAYS
bsfore--that he 10 on quite AZ good n
standing WIN che family AS ever. The
way In which be was trusted In the
funeral arrangements shows that
much. plainly enough"
Mr.. Lamm knocked the ashes from
HE cigar. took q turn up the room.
and coming back stopped in front OF
Thomas a. he sat lingering his watch
fob.
There's a mystery about this man
Fetridge.' he said with emphasis.
what you have found out about him
simply confirms my feeling. quite war
rAnted by my own knowledge OF the
man and his circumstances. that Fet.
ridge IL person to be very carefully
watched. Mark my words. young man.
The day you fad out what secret is
shared by Marion North-Stackhouse
and Richard Fetridge will mark q
great advance in the progress OF this
| investigation"
When detective and reporter parted.
after some further Interchange of
views. q certain line OF policy was
] agreed upon. Richard Fetridge was TO
be kept constantly in sight. For the
goings and comings OF the young law
yer In the city. Mr.. Lamm declared
his purpose TO fully account. while Mr..
Thomas was to be the sentinel on duty
st SwAmpscott.
II happened that he was passing the
North estate little before nine
o'clock. and that Just then the within
seized him to enter the broad gateway