The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-10-23


on your advancement and pledged my
official word that you would prove
faithful to the trust. had such con-
fidence in you that did not even con-
slider it necessary to put you on your
guard by telling you this at the time"
There was no necessity, sir, to put
me on my guard. My duties would not
have been performed any better or more
honestly and faithfully had known
this. / thank you for your kindness,
however" $
Stung by his implied doubt of me,
and knowing my absolute innocence
and how l had given my best efforts
in the discharge of my duties, / had
Strengthened up proudly.
My grandfather before he died had
written on the fy-leaf of primer OF
mine: ''Be strong IN adyersity; that
stamps the mani" did not realize the
full meaning of the words then. But
they came to me now in full force.
II am sorry gave way SO. 1t was
foolish fear. l am innocent of any
wrong, and am confident that my in.
nocence will be proved some time. I'm
til it is. will try to bear the suspicion
as patiently as possible" I said, calmly
Here some members of the examining
committee came hurriedly in. what il
this / hear?" "How did it happen?'
Whom do you suspect?" These were
some of the exclanations 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 all. 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 kind of
exhilaration of spirit in making this
resolve, and when, after awhile, was
summoned before the trustees, 1t nerved
me for the ordeal through which
knew must pass.
After telling all I knew. which I did
in as concise a manner as possible, q
deluge of questions was hurled at me,
nearly every one Of the Is or 20 mem
bers of the board taking hand in the
REORGANIZATION.
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.
Eyes, sir" answered.
"You have not stated where Won
were, and how you spent the time, =
the man continued. Perhaps the re-
naming trustees share with me nat.
ural curiosity to know this?"
hesitated in giving answer. noticing
which my questioner glanced around
triumphantly, as though he had scored
point against me.
"Yousdo not answer" he finally said
''Of course you need not if your answer
will criminate yourself"
at is not the fear of eliminating my
self that causes me to hesitate in my
answer" l replied, casting an appealing
glance in the direction of Mr.. Morley.
That gentleman turned his eyes to-
ward me, and thought there was rather
pleased expression about them. He
smiled gravely and bowed his head.
II spent the evening at Mr.. Morley's
place in Fairlawn," ! quietly said. in
terpreting that gentleman's inclination
of his head as permission to tell.
My answer created some surprise, and
all eyes were turned upon Mr. Morley.
Such were that gentleman's position
and standing that the mere fact that l
had visited at his house produced a
change in the manner of questioning
me. The questions were couched 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 could
not. There was no train until the
morning"
"And you were on that train?"
81 was on that train, and arrived in
town at quarter before ten," calmly
replied.
"You may be compelled to prove
that" continued the vice president, sig
nificantly.
Very well, sir; cnn do so whenever
it is necessary"
Here Mr.. Morley, who had been only
a listener until now, spoke in his grave,
dignifed manner, and the deferential
way the trustees hearkened to his
words was an indication of the high
regard in which he was held.
I'VE are wasting time" he said.
"This method of procedure is futile.