The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-10-22
To be Continued Il. oar. m-rf issme.l

sturg by his implied doubt of re.
aud knowing my absolute innocence
and how l had given my best efforts
in the discharge of my duties, had
Strengthened up proudly.
Ny grandfather before he died had
written on the fiy-leaf of primer of
mine: "Be strong IN adversely; that
stamps the mani" did not realize the
full meaning of the words then. But
they came to me now in full force.
~ am sorry I gave way so. 1t was
a foolish fear. i am innocent of any
wrong, and am confident that my in
nocence will be proved some time. Un-
til it is, will try to bear the suspicion
as patiently as possible" said, calmly.
Here some members of the examining
committee came hurriedly in. ''What is
this hear?" "How did it happen?"
"Whom do you suspect?" These were
some Of the exclamations that reached
my ear as they crowded around the
president.
One by one the trustees came in. One
of the last to arrive was Mr.. Morley,
but he passed on to the committee room
without noticing me.
thought of Florence, and wondered
what She would think of it ail. After
my happiness of the evening before, to
be crushed under such blow of fate
was most cruel. But resolved not to be
crushed. There came to me a kind of
exhilaration of spirit in making this
resolve, and when, after awhile, l was
summoned before the trustees, it nerved
me for the ordeal through which
knew I must pass.
After telling all knew, which did
in as concise q manner as possible, a
deluge of questions was hurled at me,
nearly every one of the IS or 20 men,
bers of the board taking hand in the
cross-examination.
''You say you were out of town last
night and did not return until few
minutes before ten this morning?"
asked one of the vice presidents.
"Yes. SIR" answered.
"You have not stated where you
were. and how you spent the time"
the man continued. Perhaps the re-
manning trustees share with me nat
ural curiosity to know this7"
hesitatetl In giving answer. noticing
which my qucstioner glanced around
triumphnntly. ns though he had scored
. point against me-
!. "You do not answer" he finally said.
''Of courre you need not IL your answer
will criminate yourself"
"It is not the fear OF eliminating my
self that causes me to hesitate in my
answer" replied. casting an appealing
glnnce in the direction of Mr.. Morley.
That gentleman turned his eyes to-
ward me- and thought there was rather
u pleased expression about them. He
smiled graveIy and bowed his head.
II spent the evening at Mr.. Morley's
: place in Fairlawn." quietly said. in
terpreting that gentlcman's inclination
of his head as permission to tell.
My answer created some surprise. and
nll eyes were turned upon Mr.. Morley
Such were that gentleman's position
and standing that the mere fact that I
had visited ut his house produced a
change in the manner of questioning
me. The questions were couchsd in
more respectful terms.
''And where did you go from Mr.. Nor
ley's place?" the examiner went on.
ITO the Fairlawn hotel" replied.
'You did not Immediately return TO
the city?"
"No, sir. for the reason that I could
not. There was no train until the
morning"
"And you were on that trninT'
~ WIS on that train, and arrived in
town at a quarter before ten," calmly
replied.
"You may he compelled to prove
that continued the vice president, sig
nificantly.
Every well. sir: can do SO whenever
II is necessary"
Here Mr. Morley. who had been only
listener until now. spoke in his grave,
dignifed manner. and the deferentiaI
way the trustees hcarkencd to his
words 1aa an indication Of the high
regard in which he was beld.
I'VE are wasting time" he said.
This method Of procedure is futile.
! will say that Mr.. Conway was n guest
nt my house last evening. How he spent
the time after he left my place cannot
say. but he was on the train this
morning. as he said. for usually take
the same train in coming to town, and
! saw him"
Mr.. Morley only stated the cold fact.
but nevertheless that he should speak
st all In my defense seemed 70 me .
good omen.
was soon asked TO retire. Al went
. out into the presidents room. three
or four felIows went In I knew they
werc detectives
There 10 no need TO tell Of the exam
inatiosss was compelled 10 submit 70
by these same detectives. and how they
sried all their art. wheedling. threat
esinR, bully ing, 10 get me to confess TO
. crime knew nothing Of. For all
their trouble they got nothing from me
but the truth.