Daily camera., 1897-08-31
"Yes."
"And everything il all right?"
"Yes."
you intend marrying herr"
81 have har fafhar,c conSenfO
"Ah! 1 congratulate you"

"You intend marrying her?"
Il have her fathers consent"
'Ah! 1 congratulate YOU"
Sonntag extended his hand and
smiled. But the smile died away imme-
.liately, and the expression which fol-
lowed strangely disturbed me. Was 1t
sorrow? For what? Or was it pity ?
Surely not pity for me!
| went from the Office resolved to fol-
low my lawyers advice just this once.
Tomorrow was not far distant, and |
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this adj would pi&ise to be, |
started on my five-mile walk ir:H.eWafd.
Fortunately, l encountered Sarah,
who had driven to Twineburgh to do
some trading, and who was just climb
ing into her wagon as Icanne up.
Hello, Sarah" l called as she was
about to take up the lines. will you
give me Il lift?"
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as L climbed up beside her
As we were crossing the track at Sid
ington, | was considerably surprised to
see the station agent at work on the
platform handling some freight. The
fellow really seemed to be ubiquitous.
| had encountered him in Nelsonville,
in Sonntag's Office, and now again at
the station attending to his duties.
His back was toward us and he did
not notice the wagon and its occupants.
Sarah pulled up the team at my re-
quest and l climbed down from the
wagon. l was curious to note again
what effect my presence would have on
the fellow. When | had moved some
distance from the team for | did not
propose to endanger Sarah's life in
case he took it into his head to fire at
me again), placing my hand on my re-
volver as it rested in my pocket, |
called to him:
Hello, there! 1 say, you, Skinner!"
The fellow dropped the truck handles
and turned quickly. Then ne fled swift
y along the platform toward the door
of the station house, through which he
bolted.
But I,was not watching him. His
flight and the manner OF it was per-
ceived simply because his form was in
the line of vision.
1t was upon the bowwindow in the
telegraph office that my gaze was fixed.
For, at my hail, a face had appeared at
that window, and then was quickly
withdrawn.
Did my sight deceive me, or was it
really the face of Horace Jackson?
Following natural impulse, !
sprang upon the platform and went to
the door. 1t was locked. Then ] tried
the door leading into the ladies wait
ing-room, but that was also locked.
| walked around the place few times
and peered into each window, but no
one was to be seen.
1t was no surprise that the fellow
Skinner should wish to avoid me, but
if the other face had seen belonged to
why should he desire to hide
from me?
The idea of smashing in "A window or
breaking down a door, and thus gain
ing entrance, occurred to me, but on
second thought | abandoned it.
Probably Jackson. having heard that
was residing at Nelsonvilic, and know
ing that | must therefore have met
Florence Morley and have been in
formed by her of his contemplate man
ner of trying to win her, thought it
best not to meet me.
If he wished to avoid me he was at
liberty to do so. 1t was trivial circum-
stance, at any rate, and so | left the
platform and climbed back upon the
wagon. I'd
What for he run so ?" inquired Sarah,
as she drove on.
= "Oh, l have little account to settle
with him. and he is afraid of me, |
suppose" replied.
Der vas anoder man too-in de vim
der" she continued.
You saw him, then. Yes, thought
there was. But l couldn't find either
of them, and the doors were all locked"
Sarah was much puzzled at the oc-
currence, and made numerous remarks
and asked many questions N the en-
deavor to obtain mere light; but did
not crafty her curiosity and answered
ony in monosyllables.
My mind was in even greater whirl
of perplexity than my old nurses.
Why had Skinner tried to shoot me,
and why, after thus showing sciue pow
erful animosity toward me, should he
now appear such a craven that he fled,
evidently in great fear, from my pres
ence? What was the fellow real intent
and purpose in engaging himself to
Florence as detective? Was he really
a detective?
Jackson had recommended him to
Florence. What bond existed between
Jackson and Skinner? And, moreover,
who was Sonntag? These three men
seemd somehow strangely connected
with my life, but how and to what end? I?
Sarah, do you know anything about
Mr.. Sonntag?" I finally asked.
Zach, yes. He is your lawyer, amt
he?