Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-08-19
!he general suspicion whLch rested upon

bSSh III easy nubVeES AOr Hhu 40
thought of hiding. The most public
streets during tho daytime, and con-
cert or the theater at night, wbTS fire.
uuented by me. I held my head erect,
as had a right to do, built was with
heavy heart and q chastened spirit that
I realized thRt people Stunned me.
Houses where I had been on most friend
" terms were closed against me.
I was tempted many times % seek
consolation and encouragement in the
presence Of Florence Morley, but II did
not seem right nor kind to burden her
bright life with my troubles, even
should she consent to zee me, of which
I was doubtful under the changed cir
cumstances. Perhaps IL was this fear
which kept me away, as much as any
other idea.
About week after the robbery let
ter came to my boarding-place;
''Mr. Nelson Conway--Dear Sir: II con-
venient, kindly favor mo with an oppor-
tunity Cor conversation this evening at
eight. remain IN town over night, and YOU
win find me at my city residence.
''SYLVEaTER MORLEY" .
Wondering what he could wish to say
to me, repaired to his house at the
time mentioned.
Mr.. Morley received me In the library,
and arose from his chair Na entered.
"Good evening, Mr.. Conway" he
gravely said, bowling his head. "Please
be seated"
After I had chosen chair on the OPP
posite side Of the room, and he had re-
sumed his seat, he began, somewhat re-
luctantly, but In his stately, courteous
way;
"0ur conversation may prove unsat-
isfactory to you. If so beg your par
don in advance. OF course you are
aware that the public In general con-
meets your name with that daring and
mysterious affair at the bank"
IL know very well, sir, that 1t is 80"
I replied, sadly,
'Now, I do not mind saying that do
not necessarily condemn q man because
he is suspected" Mr.. Morley continued,
"In case like yours the general pub
lies opinion does not influence my opin-
ion. At the same time, the general
public is not to be blamed 80 much,
after all. The people form their opin-
ions from the newspapers, and I am
sorry to note that the papers do not
seem friendly toward YOU"
"That is true, sir" answered. "And
I cannot imagine why they should take
that stand, when nothing, absolutely
nothing, can be found to criminate me-"
II can furnish no idea why 1t is 80;
simply state fact. AS l intlmated, II
is not my custom to condemn man
before he has been found guilty, But,
whatever my private opinion mNy be, in
this case you must understand that the
suspicion which has fallen upon you
will necessarily preclude continue
ton Of the friendly relations which have
existed between you and--and my
household"
"0h, sir, you cannot believe In your
heart that had anything to do with
the banks lossl" exclaimed, bitterly,
for, kindly as was his manner, the
words he spoke seemed to strike knell
TO my fondest hopes.
II have already said all care 10 say
on that score" Mr., Morley replied,
rather coldly.
"And-and your daughter, sir" I
went on, with trembling voice; 'she
does not share the general suspicionl"
A smile fitted across his face for a
moment. Then he became grave again,
and regarded me earnestly. He did not
reply for some time; he seemed 70 be
considering his answer,
my daughter is rather indignant;
she thinks that you are unjustly
treated" he finally said.
could not restrain myself on hear
ing this. I sprang from my seat and
approached him.
'AIr, Morley, you do not know what
1t means to me to hear this, You cannot
imagine how your daughters opinion
fills me with hope, May ! ask YOU, sir,
to express to her my deepest gratitude
for her faith In my innocencep AS God
hears me, her faith Is not misplaced"
There was no controlling my voice; 1t
trembled in spite Of my efforts to be
calm. Dear, true-heartcd grill
II will convey to her your message"
said Mr.. Morley. "Shc has informed me
of the sentiment you entertain for her.
But, Mr.. Conway, believe you are u
young man of sense and honor. You
must therefore realize the position you
would place her in by insisting on the
continuation Of friendship which, out
of Kindness and gentleness Of DISPOSE
ton, she would probably not refuse you.
II would be unjust to her, embarrassing
to You, and wholly contrary to my
Wishes"
VI fully appreciate the meaning of
your words, Mr.. Morley. Believe me,
regard your daughter too highly to
intrude upon her notice, under existing
circumstances. 1t Is no sentiment |
entertain for her; 1t is love, sir, deeper,
truer, fonder than mere sentiment,
This love has become the ruling metive
of my life, and will always remain 30.
But promise you ! will hold no com.
municatien with your daughter until
1t Is shown before the world that nm
innocent, I confess, to follow this
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