Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-08-19

in as concise manner as possible, O
deluge of questions was hurled at me,
nearly every one of the rs or 20 mem
bers of the board taking hand in the
cross-examination,
"You say you were out Of town Inst
night and did not return until few
minutes before ton this morning.
asked one Of the vice presidents.
"Yes, sir" answered.
"You have not stated where you
were, and how you spent the time"
the man continued. perhaps the re-
manning trustees share with me nat
ural curiosity TO know this?"
Ihesitated in giving answer, noticing
which my questioner glanced around
triumphantly, as though he had scored
a point against me.
"You do not answer" he finally said
"of course you need not If your answer
will criminate yourself"
'IIt is not the fear Of eliminating my.
self that causes me to hesitate in my
answer" I replied, casting an appealing
glance in the direction of Mr.. Morley.
That gentleman turned his eyes to.
ward me, and I thought there was rather
a pleased expression about them. He
smiled gravely and bowed his head.
II spent the evening at Mr.. Morley'a
place in Fairlawn," 1 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 I
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 placer" the examiner went on.
ITO the Fairlawn hotel" I 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?"
III 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
nifcantly.
Every well, sir; I can do SO whenever
1t is necessary"
Here Mr.. Morley, who had been only
listener until now, spoke in his grave,
dignified manner, and the deferentisl
way the trustees hearkened to his
words was an indication of the high
regard in which he was held.
"We are wasting time," he said
"This method of procedure is futile.
I will say that Mr.. Conway was guest
Rtmy house last evening. How he spent
the time after he left my place cannot
say. But he was on the train this
morning, as he said, for usually take
the same train in coming to town, and
saw him."
Mr.. Morley only stated the cold fact,
but nevertheless that he should speak
at all in my defense seemed to me q
good omen.
L was soon asked to retire. AsIwent
out into the presidents room, three
or four fellows went in. / knew they
were detectives.
There Is no need 10 tell Of the eHam~
nations / was compelled to submit to
by these same detectives, and how they
tried all their art, wheedling, threat
ening, bullying, to get me to confess to
a crime I knew nothing of. For all
their trouble they got nothing from me
but the truth.
When the trustees meeting broke up,
the president came out to me.
'Nelson, if you are guilty, and wish to
escape the consequences, now is the time
to flee the country. The trustees have
decided not to have you arrested just
yet" he said, with smile.
"They are very kind, sir. But wish
to be arrested. Nothing would please
me better than to stand trial, i" replied,
defiantly.
Mr.. Morley came through the room as
spoke, and at my loud tone he threw
a glance at me. Whether it indicated
disgust at what he might consider
bravado or commentator at my dar-
ing to take firm stand on my inno-
cence, could not say.
"You may go home for the rest of the
day, Conway" said the president, with
put looking at me. Come to my office
in the morning. Don't 60 into the bank
room"
/ went out unmolested, and slowly
walked toward my boarding place. Why
should this horrible shadow have fallen,
plotting out the bright promising sun
shine of my young life? Was it a dream,
and would wake to find it all unreal?
All, no! The newsboys on the street
were already calling: "All about the
bank robbery" and selling their papers
rapidly. God help me, it was no dream.
CHAPTER ".
All that night I walked the floor,