Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-08-25

do that! will never forgive you, never
1t wonld be ruin to both him and me. :
"NYcll, Mr.. Morton replied, slowly,
''if you will promise TO have nothing
more to do with him until l give you
permission, | will see the young man,
and pcrhap, I can prevail upon him 10
return the lcwcls quietly"
"Pil promise anything" Nellie an
swcred, desperately, ''if you will only
not investigate this now After to-day
will never speak to him again"
Among Kirk Willey's visitors that
morning was old Jack Conner, who kept
Il little cigar store in small house be-
longing to Mr.. Morton.
Jack had the name OF being rather a
sly fellow. and Kirk had once incurred
his bitter hatred by figuring as witness
although an unwilling one-when
Conner was charged with selling cigars
and tobacco without complying with GER
tain formalitics prescribed by the United
States Internal Revenue laws.
'I'll be even with Wiley yet" he had
often declared. And so Kirk was greatly
surprised when Conner asked him to
make out deed for the little house he
occupied. :,
81 thought Mr. Morton would not sell
it." Kirk remarked.
"Hc's changed his mind" Conner re-
piled, with an evil smile; tive all do that,
YOU know Then he left, after saying
he would be in again next day.
He had been gone less than ten min
utes when Mr.. Morton entered. 1t is
needless to repeat what passed at the in
tcrview. Kinks amazement and wrath
at first knew no bounds. He denied the
charge of stealing the Jewels, and de-
fled proof; but when Mr.. Morton emu
mcrated his carefully prepared reasons
for believing him guilty, and concluded
bv suddenly leaning forward and taking
diamond stud off the desk, Kirk was
dumbfoundcd.
"Hcre alone" Mr. Morton said, lis
enough proof to convict you. This stud
was among the stolen jewels, and here it
is in your desk, evidently dropped there
in your nervous hurry last night. Now,
Wiley, for Ncllie's sake I don't want
this made public, nor do I want to be
severe with you. l will give you two
months in which to prove your inno-
cence or return the jewels. "
Realizing how ruinous even the faint
est breath Of such charge against him
would be, Morton's victim was forced to
accept the offer, though he could see no
way of clearing himself from the impu-
tation.
1t seemed to Kirk Wiley that the rest
of the Cay was passed in horrible
dream, and night brought him no COM
fort, for he could not sleep. There was
one star shining through the gloom that
cnveloped him. A little note found its
way to his desk, which said:
"Kirk. dearest-dearest, do not for an
instant doubt you would marry you to-day
to prove it, but am in uncle's power.
shall be forcel for your sake, my own, tc
avoid you; but remember, whatever comes
shall always believe in you ami belong te
you Whenever you see me, look at my
throat, and if jeweled fly is among my
laces, you will know [ am true, loving you
dearly, and praying that you may soon es.
tablish your innocence. NELLIE"
When Kirk Wiley looks back on the
month following Mr.. Morton's visit, 1t
seems that it was all q dreadful night
mare How he attended to. business at
all he will never know. for only one
question interested him: how should he
prove his innocence There seemed no
clew to follow.
AS the days went by and the first
month drew to close, Kirk became al
most despe ate. Ills only comfort was
that he almost daily met Nellie mt walk
ing, and always saw beneath her dainty
chin the jewced insect.
One night. walking down the
street. he was startled by a shadow cast
upon the pavement before him. With a
suppressed exclamation he stopped short.
Hc had dwelt so o ten on every incident
of the night when the ;ewe!s were stolen,
that it seemed as though he continually
lived it over.
He often thought of the strange
shadow he then saw in the arbor- To.
night he saw agar che queer-shapcd
bend in the shou' sr. the same short
coat, the same sm 9TH features. Turning
quickly to see the owner of the shadow,
he almost stumbled over Jack Conner.
With a muttered apology he resumed his
walk. went home and flung himself on
the lounge, qnivering with suppressed
excitement.
81 see it." he thought, almost audibly.
"Only o shadow, but it's true. CQpnor
went TO tho housp to pay his rent, He