Daily camera., 1897-08-30

I 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, Il
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 a woman's instinct often divines
causes for worry when none are per-
ceptible."
"You cannot mean that he is changed
toward your
"Oh, no, no! Not in his love for me.
Indeed, there seems to be an augment
ed tenderness toward me. And it
makes me feel as though, somehow, /
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
Eaggard There is some secret sorrow
lie is enduring. I spoke to him about
it only the other day DE-.
What answer did he give you?" /
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 it is as you say. But l can
not get it 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.
81 do not know. He used to come
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 1 sought to lead Florence away
from a subject which seemed to cause
her distress.
"And what can you tell me about the
station agent at Sidington?"" L asked.
"Oh, Nelson! how puzzled l am over
what you have told me! You say he
tried to shoot you?"l
Yes; but do not agitate yourself
over that. He did not hit me, you
know" l answered. Es
But why should, be want to shoot
you?" she exclaimed.
''That is as much a mystery to me as
to you. Who is the fellow. anyhow?
Where did he, come from? His real
name, i understand, is Skinner IA
"Yes. that is his real name," was
Florence's answer.
"W'ly, what reason,oould he have had
for telling me his name was Hunter?
Tell me what you know about him. my
dear" ! demanded. for ,h'rrht she
really appeared somewhat reluctant to
give me the desired information.
"'Florence. who is he?'"5 .,...a-.4.,
sIIe is u detective she answered.
"a detective. He! What is he do
ing about here?" / asked, i'll astonish-
ment.
'"Promisc. me Won wifi not breathe
word" Florence said, earnestly. hold
ing up her forefngeissin emphasis.
81 promise ssolemnly." H:y.
"And promise you will not think me
very foolish girl?''
"Ncver.'
"Wtfl, ther. after the bank r2bbery
! used to ~,;,d all the pa r"s f seer
tain if tie robbers had becn disc sered.
The time went ty, ard yoli. pc. boy,
were still under the cruel sus. irion.
Why, Nelson, nearly all Of your old
friends believe you had hand in the
affair
"Oh, I know that" l answered,
gloomily "And | was foolish to give
up the trnst and love and confidence of
the only true friend l seemed to have
at that time" kissing the faithful girls
forehead.
'Indeed you were foolish, and cruel,
too" Florence murmured. "SiX months
went DN, anu you "Sii' w p
Nothing was discovered regarding the
robbery; and, what was worse, moth
inp seemed to 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! l
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, I know, but
could not rest until determined to
try and clear you.'
For few moments my heart was too
full for speech. "And what did you
do?" / asked, gently.
II did not want father to know, so
asked Mr.. Jackson to send the best de-
tectiye he knew of to me. Mr.. Jackson