Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-09-24

I hope" I said. IT have been told he
strongly objected to my arrest. And
l know whose influence caused him to
do So"
mot mine, really" Florence earnest
ly replied. Father believed you were
innocent, and took the stand he did
for that reason. did not know about
the robbery until after the first meet
ing of the trustees. 1t was at that
meeting that he opposed your arrest.
I remember he felt quite triumphant
afterward, for most of the trustees in
sisted upon your immediate arrest, and
it was only after father said that he
would never consent to it that they gave
up the point"
"Now that is pleasant to hear" II
cried, joyfully. What reason have you
to think he has changed his views re-
garding the promise?"
"This morning, after we had passed
you, said: That looked like Nelson
Conway Father laughed at me, and
answered that it must have been an
hallucination produced by constantly
keeping my thoughts upon YOU"
1t is impossible to describe the fasci-
nation of Florence's manner when she
told me this-how maidenly bashful-
, ness blended with loves boldness, how
the bushes dyed her smooth cheek,
while her eyes shone with confident,
happy light.
"Then at lunch this noon father
asked me if II liked you as much as
tha I,
used, but never mind, We'll use it now"
"And what did you answer?" asked,
eagerly and expectantly.
THAT not day went by that did
not think of you. And oh, Nelson" she
continued, her voice deep and full in its
earnestness, shat was not half the
truth. Why should hesitate to con-
TESS it to you, my dear friend?"
Here made use OF my disengaged
arm. could not help it. drew her
closely to me and kissed her blooming
cheek.
II certainly shall not go on if am in
terrupted," Florence said, in gentle re-
monstrance.
what did your father say In an
,, swer?" finally asked.
, ''He said he thought perhaps 1t was
unjust to both of us to insist on your
keeping the promise"
"Did 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 ut the cross roads,
Florence insisted on riding her horse
the rest of the way to her home.
| A thought occurred to me after I had
assisted her to remount. Laid my hand
on the bride to restrain her going.
DO you mind if l ask you a ques-
tion?" inquired.
| "Assuredly not"
'Then tell me, do you see much Of
/ Horace Jackson? Has he asked you to
marry him?"
Eyes, he has asked me to marry him.
she replied, dropping her head. elm
deed, there is compact between us
about it,
| "Oh!"
"Yes. Now, please do not be foolish
and feel badly over it, But have prom
| ised Mr.. Jackson that 1 will marry him
if the robbery can be traced to you, and
the stolen property, OF portion of it,
be found in your possession"
"Good heavens! Why did you give
him that promise?"
well, he bothered me so, lately, that
I 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 robber. So you see how
absolutely safe am in this"
"Does Jackson believe am guilty 2"
I asked.
mo, he does not. In his Utmost heart
he does not. And he used to affirm his
belief in your innocence until" She
hesitated here, and seemed reluctant to
proceed. I waited in anxiety, and she
finally went on-suntil lately he, for
some reason, has changed his opinion.
At least so he says. And it made me
angry when he told me that he had.
Then it was gave him the promise"
"now long is it since you discovered
that he had changed?"
"About six weeks ago. I 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 I was the guilty party?" I
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 1t, did
you?"
"Florencel"
"Forgive me; know you are hon
est and true" She laid her hand upon
mine. Il will not wrong you by the
least doubt. But Jackson seemed SO
confident. There is no way by which
q seeming proof of the robbery could
be shown against you, is there?"
Good heavens, how could there be?"
I exclaimed. "Oh, see 1t ALL" 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 yoA like Jackson ct all? Is he