The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-11-20

used, but never mind. we'H use IL adwss''
."And what did you answer" Iasked,
eagerly and expeetanuy. ., <. =.
That not a day went by that I did
not think of you. And oh, Nelson" she
continued, her voice deep and full in it's
earnestness, that was not half the
truth. Why should hesitate to cons
TESS It to you. my dear friend2"
Here l made use Of my disengaged
arm. I could not help 1t. 1 drew her
closely to me and kissed her blooming
cheek.
II certainly shall not go on if I am in
terrupted." Florence said, in gentle re-
monstrance.
what did your father say in an
swer?" | finally asked.
HE said he thought perhaps it was
unjust to both. of us to insist on your,
keeping the promise"
"Dd he say that?" exclaimed. Then
Florence" but really it is enough to say
that the dear girl promised to be my
wife, even though the suspicion should
not be removed from me, providing Mr..
Morley's consent could be gained; and
she moreover promised to do all she
could to help me gain his consent.
When we arrived at the cross roads,
Florence insisted on riding her horse
the rest of the way to her home.
A thought occurred to me after had
assisted her to remount. I laid my hand
on the bride to restrain her going.
"Do you mind if ask you ques-
ton" inquired.
"Assuredly not"
''Then tell me, do you see much of
Horace Jackson? Has he asked you to
marry him?"
Yes, he has asked me to marry,h him"
she replied. dropping her head. "ln-'
deed, there is compact between us
about it," fr:
"Oh!" .E
Eyes. Now, please do not be foolish
and feel badly over it. But have prom
ised Mr.. jackson that | will marry him
if the robbery can be traced to you, and
the stolen property, or portion of it.,
be found in your possession"
Good heavens Why did you give
him that prornise?"
We'll. he bothered me so, lately, that
gave him the promise to get rid of
him. His part of the compact is not to
mention the subject again until you are
shown to be the robbcr. Soyou see how
absolutely safe am in this"
Does Jackson believe | am guilty?"
l asked
mo, he does not. In his inmost heart
he does not. And he used to affirm his
belief In your innocence until" She
hesitated here, and seemed reluctant to
proceed. l waited in anxiety, and she
finally went on-"until lately he. for
some reason. has changed his opinion.
AT least so he saws. And it made me
angry when he told me that Ire had.
Then it was 1 gave him the promise"
'Tlow long is it since you discovered
that he had changed?"
about six weeks ago. have not
seen him since. He and his father had
a terrible quarrel that day. and he has
not been here since then"
what reason did he give for now be-
lieving l was the guilty party?"
asked.
"Oh, he mumbled something about
| discoveries recently made which would
throw new light on the case"
Florence gazed earnestly into my
face, and she must have noticed the
troubled expression upon it. For she
leaned toward me and with great earn
estness exclaimed: Nelson, oh, tell
me, you had nothing to do with it. did
you?"
"Florence!"
"Forgive me; know you are hon
est and true" She laid her hand upon
mine. II will not wrong you by the
least doubt. But Jackson. seemed so
confident. There is no way by which
seeming proof of the robbery could
be shown against you, is there?"
Good heavens, how could there be ?"
exclaimed. "Oh. see it ALL" I went
on bitterly. jackson has become
wealthy. and is trying to ingratiate
himself with your father and under
mine my reputation with you and SO
finally gain your hand"
Florence listened to my incoherent
outburst with an amused smile.
DO you like Jackson at all? Is he
agreeable to you?" l asked, in jealousy.
The smile died from her face and her
eyes flashed with an angry fire.
Like him? No, indeed; detest the
man. hate him." This outburst made
me happy, and I laughed merrily.
ut is not kind of you to compel me to
show temper" she said. but remem-
Der, sir, you provoked me to it. 1t is not
only for myself alone that l dislike him,
but it seems to me that he is the cause
of the change that has come over my
father lately. Ever since that quarrel
father has been so different"
I'm what respect??" asked, sympa,
thetically.
"He seems terribly worried and
anxious"
1T is probably business care There
are very few men directing great en-
terprises who have not times of worry
and anxiety, who have not financial
storms and the fear of wreck to face"
l added, consolingly. And as Tor the
quarrel with Jackson, that was prob
ably no more than difference of opin-