Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-10
CHAPTER vIII.-(continued)

4. Is
Let me speak for my sister as we'll
Is myself, Mr.. Thomas declared
Marion, rising. 1--WE neither of us
have any idea whatever to express as
to the possible or probable guilt Of
anyone. We thank you for your
proffer of assistance, but will not
trouble you further at this time.
Come, Aunt Comfort. Good evening,
SIR
The two young ladies had left the
room, with Aunt Comfort in uny ling
tow like some unwieldy, ha aless
barge, before Mr. Thomas realized that
the conference was at an end. One
pleasant association only he carried
away with him, the charm of the pres
erlce Of the younger girl, whose gentle
inclination of the head as she Looked
at him just before leaving the room
seemed to accentuate his feeling that
here was helpless, beautiful girl, who
appealed to his sympathetic interest.
and whom II occasion should come,
he would most gladly serve
MT. Thomas, as he wrote Of the days
developments in the North case, graph.
dcally presented certain facts, but kept
others, quite as important, untold.
Among these undisclosed matters the
name and standing of Richard Fet-
ridge in the North household were in
cluded.
There is no crest day" In the re-
porter's week. Sunday came and
brought to Mr.. Thomas new duties. In
all the daily papers Of Saturday this
announcement had appeared:
THE funeral Of the late Paul North will
take place from his late residence. swamps-
colt. at three p. m. on Sunday, June 49,
Relatives and friends invited without fur
Their notice Burial private"
In the throng that pressed into the
house of mourning, it would have
taken attentive observation to Single
out Mr.. Thomas. But he was there
among the first; nod of recognition,
given and returned, secured for him
place after his own heart, where he
could see all and not be seen. From
this point of vantage, Thomas looked
over the assemblage quite at his
leisure. and noted many face familiar
in State street and on change.
Rather young man in black, whom
he remembered to have seen often, was
escorted to place of some prominence.
He exchanged some whispered words
with those in authority, and Mr..
Thomas set him down, unhesitatingly,
as Richard Fetridge And Richard
Fetridge 1t was, and none other.
Thornton Stackhouse, looking worn
and almost haggard, appeared on the
threshold of the great parlors. He
had been looked for obviously, for he
was at once approached by the master
Of ceremonies, with his mourning face.
and escorted to the seat reserved for
him not far from the family group.
BY some potent influence, Mr.. Thom-
rs eyes, as we'll as his thoughts, were
turned toward these silent, motionless
women. Once more, it was not Marion
but Stella who seemed to appeal to his
heart. Once only he caught sight Of
her face, and its pathetic, frightened
look again touched him nearly. What
would not give" he thought, almost
wondering at the sudden feeling, "for
the opportunity to help that poor girl!
How wish it were in my power to
give her courage and hope"
Miss HARDWOOD sat with Marion and
Stella on either side, closely yelled.
No other relatives were present, for
Paul North's only brother-a Chicago
merchant-was abroad with his FAM
Ny.
AZ the sweet, mournful strains Of the