Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-10-05


| desperate villainp' she repeated.
know how happy 1t would make me to
be allowed to share your troubles"
IT am troubled, Nelson, deeply
troubled" she replied, raising her tear
stained face. There are so many in
explicable things going on about me,
so much mystery, such forebodings of
dreadful happenings, in my heart, that
IL it were not for your love existence
would be misery. And now your own
dear life is threatened, and all my
fault, too. cannot understand it at all.
Why should anyone want to kill you?
Oh. Nelson!"
She laid her head against me, and
gently strbked the soft tresses which
fell back behind her ear in such beau
tiful waves. For a few moments could
not answer. Her words startled me be-
yond expressinon. What, in God'sname,
was there about this back-country
place? Had it's uncanny mysteries even
entered my darling's sweet life to faint
its happiness9
DO not give way to an unreasonable
terror, dear heart" finally said.
''What possible harm can reach you?"
ut is not for myself that am fear
full, and I suppose it is unreasonable;
but think, Nelson, if he had shot you'll"
She shuddered, and then with an eff
fort became calmer.
do not worry about me. Be sure
/ NJ, 10 IN, 20
forewarned is forearmed. What else
is there? Tell me. You know you may
count on my help and sympathy"
eyes, yes, Iknow that. Nelson. And
do need your help. 1t seems as though
were walking blindfolded on the edge
of a precipice." The loved form
nestled closer to me. 1t made me fool
ishly happy to hold her in my arms and
know they were as haven of refuge to
her.
"Then, too," Florence went on, II
am SO worried about father"
$50 you said yesterday. Have you
any reason to be?"
Maybe not; at least I know of none,
except that he is SO changed of late.
But woman's instinct often divines
causes for worry when none are per-
ceptible."
/ "You cannot mean that he is changed
toward you?"
"Oh, no, no! Not in his love for me-.
Indeed, there seems to be an augment
ed tenderness toward me. And 1t
makes me feel as though, somehow, l
was partly the cause of the trouble.
Why. know there is something wor-
rying poor father. He is even chang
ing in appearance, and is becoming SO
haggard. There is some secret sorrow
he is enduring. l spoke to him about
it only the other day"
what answer did he give you?' I
asked.
"Just laughed, and said was gifted
with vivid Imagination"
''There, you see, it must be only
business worry. If it were anything
regarding yourself, he would not make
light of it,
| Florence was partly comforted by
my assurance. She glanced up into
my face and smiled. But the troubled
and perplexed look came back when
she answered.:
| Perhaps 1t is as you say. But I can
not get it out of my head that Mr.. Jack
son is somehow connected with it all. y
"Jackson2 How could he affect your
fathers life SO seriously 2" exclaimed
Il do not know. He used to com,
here frequently until lately. And aftel
every visit father seemed to be 81
troubled and worried"
Being satisfied in my own mind tha'
the difference between Mr.. Morley anc
jackson had arisen over business af
fairs, I sought to lead Florence away
from subject which seemed to caus,
her distress.
"And what can you tell me about tn,
station agent at Sidington?" asked.
ooh, Nelson! how puzzled am ovel
Whit you have told me! You say ht
tried to shoot your"
Eyes; but do not agitate yoursel1
over that. He did not hit me, yor
know" answered.
"But why should he want to shoot
your" she exclaimed.
"That is as much a mystery to me al
to you. Who is the fellow, anyhow
Where did he come from? His rea
name, understand, is Skinner"
Eyes, that is his real name," wal
Florence's answer.
"Why, what reason could he have hat
: for telling me his name was Hunter
Tell me what you know about him, my
DEAR" demanded, for thought sh,
really appeared somewhat reluctant t.
give me the desired information
FLORENCE, who is he?"
HE is detective" she answered.
"a detective! He! What is he do
ing about here?" asked, in astonish
ment.
Promise me you will not breathe {
; word," Florence said, earnestly, hold
ing up her fogefnger in emphasis.