Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-09-02
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not get II out OF my head that Mr.. jack
son Is somehow connected with It all
Jackson? How could he affect your
fathers life so seriously?" exclaimed.
II do not know. He used to como
here frequently until lately. And after
every visit father seemed to be so
troubled and worried"
Being satisfied in my own mind that
the difference between Mr.. Morley and
Jackson had arisen over business af-
fairs, sought to lead Florence away
from a subject which seemed to cause
her distress.
"knd what can you tell me about the
station agent Mt sidington?" asked.
"0h, Nelson! how puzzled am over
what you Lave told mel You say he
tried to shoot your"
eyes; but do not agitate yourself
over that. lie did not hit me, you
know" / answered.
"But why should he want to shoot
your" she exclaimed.
"That is as much mystery to me as
to you. Who is the fellow, anyhow
Where did he come from? His real
name, I understand, is Skinner"
"Yes, that is his real name," was
Florence's answer.
"Why, what reason could he have had
for telling me his name was HunterP
Tell me what you know about him, my
DEAR" ] demanded, for / thought she
really appeared somewhat reluctant to
give me the desired information.
Florence, who is hep"
"He is a detective" she answered.
"a detectivel He! What is he do
ing about here?" I asked, in astonish-
ment.
"Promise me you will not breathe a
word" Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her forefnger in emphasis.
81 promise solemnly."
"And promise you will not think me
a very foolish glrl?"
"Never!"
"Well, then, after the bank robbery
I used to read all the papers to ascer-
tain if the robbers had been discovered.
The time went by, and you, poor boy,
were still under the cruel suspicion.
Why, Nelson, nearly all of your old
friends believe you had a hand in the
affair"
ooh, I know thatl" I answered,
gloomily. "And 1 was foolish to give
up the trust and love and confidence of
the only true friend seemed to have
at that time" kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
Indeed you were foolish, and cruel,
too" Florence murmured. six months
went by, and you went 70 Europe.
Nothing was discovered regarding the
robbery; and, what was worse, moth
ing seemed 20 be done in the matter.
Every one seemed to have forgotten all
about it, except that you were the
guilty one; that was not forgotten.
Oh, Nelson, / felt so sorry for you! I
knew how honorable you were, and
how heavy your heart must have been.
So made up my mind to do something
myself"
"You!"
ayes. 1t was foolish, know, but
I could not rest until determined to
try and clear you"
For few moments my heart was too
full for speech. "And what did you
DOE" I asked, gently.
II did not want father to know, SO
1 asked Mr.. Jackson to send the best de-
tective he knew of to me. Mr.. Jackson
seemed very kindly disposed toward
you at that time; he did as requested,
and asked me no questions about my
intentions"
80 you hired q detective to trace the
robbers?"
"Yes."
"Aud Chat fellow Shinner--is he the
one?"
"Ycs. suppose It was n foolish
thing to do. for nothing seems to have
come Of it. although Mr., Skinner keeps
telling me he is on the right track now,
and will soon have them"
Foolish, was It? Oh, my darling!"
exclaimed, as caught her hands in
mine and gazed down into the sweet
face. could say no more then, checked
as was by my emotion. The noble,
true-heortcd girl! Impelled by her love
for me and her absolute faith in my
integrity. undertaking alone to estab-
lish my innocence, while all the world
remained Indifferent! saw the noble
ness. the willingness to make sacrifice
for her love, back Of it all. and tears
came into my eyes and great thank
fitness into my heart. What D for
tunate fellow was, after all, to be per-
mitted to inspire such devotion!
"But if Skinner is in your employ and
therefore working in my interest, why
should he endeay0r to shoot me2" /
finally remarked.
"Oh, Nelson, don't know. cannot
understand it," she replied, as deeply
perplexed as was.
"How does it happen that he is sta
ton agent at Sidington? why does he
remain here at ALP"
"Father procured the position for
him at my request. The detective said
it was the best place to watch the rob-
bers from, for absolute secrecy was
necessary. and no one weuld SUSPECT